The Imperfects Nas Campanella - The First Blind Newsreader in the World
Jun 1, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Nas Campanella, the world’s first blind newsreader and Disability Affairs Reporter for the ABC, shares her inspiring journey. She discusses how childhood challenges shaped her resilience and identity, embracing her disability as a source of pride. Nas highlights the critical role of agency and accessibility while navigating discrimination, and reveals why she wouldn't change her sight if given the chance. Her reflections on parenting, cultural traditions, and the importance of trust provide powerful insights into the nuances of life with a disability.
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Disability Identity Evolution
- Nas evolved from viewing her disability as a small part of her to embracing it as core to her identity.
- She advises always asking how a disabled person prefers their disability described.
Braille Struggles and Misjudgment
- Nas struggled to learn Braille due to a neurological condition affecting fingertip sensitivity.
- A teacher wrongly labeled her lazy, causing difficult and long nights of reading attempts.
Blind Newsreading Technique
- Nas read news by listening to computer-generated voice in headphones and repeating it live.
- She managed multiple audio streams and had to ad lib breaking news, showing intense multitasking.