The CMTO’s Audio Ability: Accessible Training and Mentoring project delivers basic radio broadcasting skills training to participants that are living with various forms of disability, placing them directly in a radio station to gain work experience and pairing them with an experienced mentor to support them through the course. 

Following a successful recruitment program 26 participants have started the 16 week course. They are the second group to complete the training, with 16 participants graduating at the beginning of 2023. 

Participants range in radio experience from complete beginners, to volunteer broadcasters and those who are working up the courage to get behind a mic.

So far the program has covered the topics of community radio values, broadcasting law, program preparation and on-air presentation. 

Participants and mentors will be meeting in-person at stations around the country in the coming weeks, so they can practice the hands-on broadcasting skills that they’ve been learning in class. 

A number of mentors from the first round have returned to share their skills and experience with the new recruits, continuing their employment in the sector.  Read about our mentors here. 

AAP Trainer and CMTO Training and Learning Design Assistant, Heli Newton says the participants are keen to learn,

“The classes have been so good to teach! All the participants are really engaged. They always have a question or two to ask and make some great and thought provoking observations about the content."

The project has had a significant impact, with the first round participants reporting increased confidence, social participation and a sense of belonging from having completed the training, mentoring and work placement. 

To read more about the outcomes and impacts of this unique community engagement and training project we invite you to read the Audio Ability Training Project Post-pilot evaluation report authored by project lead researcher; Dr Kim Stewart. Click here to read the report.

If you would like to learn more about the project and get involved, please contact the Project Manager, Ugur Topal and Course Coordinator Gemma Purves at [email protected]

The program is funded by the Department of Social Services through their Information Linkage and Capacity Building Program. The Economic and Community Participation stream is funded until July 2024.