We proudly announce the 2022 ambassador for the Melbourne Disability Expo. Australian singer-songwriter Rachael Leahcar will reveal her powerful message of resilience and determination while living with blindness, and her equally dynamic vocals which have stunned audiences around the world!
It was during the first season of The Voice (2012) 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 2012 AACTA Awards’ most memorable screen moment of the year.
“When I first heard about the show I was like, ‘Blind auditions?? Really!?'” says Rachael. “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!'”
Since then, Rachael has well and truly demonstrated that she is capable of achieving whatever she puts her mind to. She has released five consecutive top-10 charting albums, with her 2017 album Shadows debuting at #5 on the Australian Album ARIA Chart, toured to sold out crowds and sung with Andrea Bocelli’s orchestra in Italy. She was cast as Eve in the feature film Standing Up for Sunny, which debuted at the Sydney Film Festival, toured her Colours of My Life show and released the Christmas album Together for Christmas with captivating duets in six languages.
Rachael loves to motivate others to challenge their limits. She has appeared for the Royal Society for the Blind, CanDo4Kids, Julia Farr Association, Halogen Foundation and She The Change as part of a women’s empowerment event. She shows a keen interest in philanthropy as ambassador for the Royal Society for the Blind since 2011 and by supporting many other worthy causes. She participated in the Great Cycle Challenge in 2018 and 2019 where she raised thousands of dollars for Childhood Cancer research.
“Helping others,” she says, “is the most important thing I can do for my community and the world.”
The My Future, My Choice Melbourne Disability Expo also seeks to inspire people with disability, their family members, and carers. With the emphasis on choice, over 140 providers 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.
During the two days, gather insight from speakers representing government and advocacy organisations, discuss a range of disability topics including financial and legal aid, aids and equipment, social and leisure options, transport, allied health, and support services. There will be something for everyone, with all ages entertainment, live stage performances, fully catered cafes and plenty of seating to socialise and chat about exhibitions, talks, or entertainment.
Doors open for free entry to the massive two-day event from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Friday and Saturday, 1 and 2 April. Register your group to skip the entry queues.