Sydney Disability Expo Ambassador: Challenging the Limits

26 Aug 2019

The Sydney Seniors and Disability Expo is proud to announce 2019 ambassador, the popular Australian singer-songwriter Rachael Leahcar. Performing at the opening ceremony on Friday September 13 at Exhibition Hall 4, Sydney Olympic Park, Rachael will also reveal her message of resilience and determination despite her vision impairment in an interview with event organisers Social Impact Institute.

It was during the first season of The Voice that Australians were introduced to the singer. Led onstage by a technician, the somewhat shy 17-year-old turned all four chairs at the blind auditions with her hauntingly beautiful rendition of La Vie En Rose. Her performance was shortlisted for the AACTA Awards 2012’s most memorable screen moment of the year.

“When I first heard about the show I was like, ‘Blind auditions! Really!’” says Rachael in a 2017 interview. “When I went to the Adelaide auditions [in the lead up to the TV show], I didn’t tell them about my vision impairment because I kind of wanted to prove that I could do it on my own. Fun fact, they don’t face the screens to make their choice either and I got through… I kind of had this thirst to prove myself. Whenever anyone told me I couldn’t do something, I was like ‘Yes, I can!’”

Rachael has well and truly demonstrated that she is capable of achieving whatever she puts her mind to, releasing four top-10 ARIA charting albums, with her 2017 album Shadows debuting at #5, touring live shows to sold out crowds and singing with Andrea Bocelli’s orchestra in Italy, among many other achievements. Recently, she was cast as Eve in the feature film Standing Up for Sunny, which debuted at the Sydney Film Festival, is set to tour her Colours of My Life show and will soon release a Christmas album with captivating duets in six different languages.

“I love motivating others to challenge their limits,” she says, as ambassador for the Royal Society for the Blind since 2011 and seasoned public speaker.

The My Future, My Choice expo also encourages seniors and people with disability, their families and carers to challenge the limits. With the emphasis on ‘choice’, over 200 providers will exhibit cutting-edge equipment, assistive technology, mobility aids, medical, health and support services, long term care options, and a variety of financial, travel, lifestyle and sport options for people of all abilities.  

Keynote speakers, including representatives from My Aged Care and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS), will discuss a range of disability and senior-focussed topics and a series of free workshops will cover topics like travel, leisure, lifestyle and healthy living, accessibility, advocacy and special needs management advice. The expo includes children’s entertainment and onstage performances, two cafes and plenty of seating for attendees to socialise and chat about which exhibitions, talks, workshops or entertainment to see next.

Doors open for the massive two-day event from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14. The opening ceremony commences at 11am on Friday and features Rachael Leahcar and local delegates.

Visit the website for free tickets and more info – https://www.sydneydisabilityexpo.com.au/expo-guide