“You’re Not Seeing It Right”: a podcast that talks about inclusion without holding back

To talk about disability without formalities, without prejudice and, above all, without the sense of pity or heroism that so often accompanies discussions on these issues. This is the aim of “Não Estás Bem a Ver”, the podcast from Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, conceived and hosted by Francisco Dias, who invites a range of guests to take part in relaxed conversations about disability, inclusion and everyday experiences.

As part of the ‘Transformar para Incluir’ project, the podcast aims to contribute to a shift in perspective on disability, promoting more natural and personal communication that places people and their experiences at the heart of the conversation.

“The idea is to completely deconstruct the way we talk about inclusion and disability, revolutionising somewhat the way the media views people with disabilities,” explains Francisco Dias. To this end, he identifies three key words that define the podcast’s concept: “light-heartedness, simplicity and a relaxed atmosphere”.

Humour therefore plays a central role in the podcast’s identity. Not as a way of trivialising the topics covered, but as a strategy to reach people and convey important messages in a different way.

“I have been seeking, through a sense of humour, an impactful strategy to convey serious messages, such as normalising the idea that people with disabilities can work, study and socialise, all in a natural, autonomous and independent way,” explains the creator.

The project also has a personal connection to his mentor. Francisco was a service user at the Nossa Senhora dos Anjos Rehabilitation Centre, run by Santa Casa, where he began his journey in December 2023 and remained until June 2024. This experience forms part of the journey that led him to consider a different way of communicating about disability and inclusion.

The first episode, which can be watched on the institution’s YouTube channel, featured Fernando Alvim, kicking off a series of conversations that aim to bring together different experiences, perspectives and life journeys, always with informality as the starting point.

Through “Não Estás Bem a Ver”, Santa Casa reinforces the objectives of “Transformar para Incluir” (Transforming for Inclusion), a project that seeks to promote a more inclusive institution through awareness-raising, capacity-building and the transformation of practices and attitudes. Rather than merely discussing disability, the initiative aims to help ensure that inclusion becomes an integral part of the way we communicate, work and live in society.