Nas Campanella is the ABC's national disability affairs reporter.
Nas started her career at the ABC as a cadet journalist in Sydney in 2011 before working as a regional reporter in Bega on the New South Wales far south coast. She then spent seven years working as a newsreader, reporter and senior producer for triple j and other ABC platforms. Nas has also undertaken projects with ABC International Development, running initiatives for people living with disability across the Pacific.
Nas lost her sight when she was six months old. Nas also has a sensitivity condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth which means she can't read Braille.
Current Work:
Nas also works as an MC and public speaker, presenting at schools, conferences and charity fundraisers on topics such as inclusive education, adaptive technology, accessibility and supporting women to climb the corporate ladder. Nas has supported young people with vision impairments to transition into mainstream schooling. She also works as a mentor to people with disabilities and mental illness.
Her strong interest in travel has seen her publish articles with Lonely Planet and the Sydney Morning Herald. She's also given advice on accessible travel to members of the tourism industry.
In 2022 Nas became a mother for the first time and this experienced has empowered her to share her journey of preparing for motherhood when you also live with disability including the supports and services available, the pregnancy journey and overcoming prejudice.
In 2016 Nas was part of a Disability Empowerment Skills Exchange in Fiji where she worked in a media communications and advocacy role with the Spinal Injury Association in Suva. During the month-long exchange, Nas devised a social media strategy for the organisation, assisted in the design and launch of a disability awareness training program for the United Nations and ran workshops in public speaking, press release writing and interview skills.
Talking Points
Parenting with Disability
In 2022 Nas became a mother for the first time and this experienced has empowered her to share her journey of preparing for motherhood when you also live with disability including the supports and services available, the pregnancy journey and overcoming prejudice.
Parenting with Disability
Video
Nas Campanella | The First Blind Newsreader in the World | The Imperfects
As the title suggest, Nas Campanella is really cool (and accomplished and driven and resilient). You might recognise her voice from the Triple J cinematic universe or know her work as the Disability Affairs Reporter for the ABC. But what you might not know is that Nas is vision impaired, or that a neurological condition means that she can’t read braille either. In this episode of The Vulnerabilitea House, Nas answers the questions “what childhood challenges best prepared you for adulthood?” Chatting to Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Nas talks about her relationship with her disability, and how it shapes her identity. Nas also dives into a powerful conversation with the guys about the role agency and accessibility in the experience of discrimination, and shares why, if a magical operation could restore her sight, she wouldn’t change a thing.Finding a voice | Nas Campanella | TEDxYouth@MoriahCollege
This is a true tale of overcoming the odds. Anyone who has listened to Triple J will be familiar with the authoritative tones of newsreader Nas Campanella. What few people will be aware of, however, is that Campanella is not only blind but has a sensitivity condition called Char- cot-Marie-Tooth which prevents her from being able to read Braille. This is her story of determination and resilience - she never stopped following her dreams. Campanella has never let her disability get in the way of her determination to be a journalist and newsreader.
