In the media 

Zoe Simmons sitting in her wheelchair wearing a bright pink dress, pink shoes with pink and purple hair. She's on the set recording an episode of WDV

I’m no stranger to the media

As an award-winning journalist and disability advocate, my work has been featured all over the globe.

But it doesn’t stop there. I’ve been interviewed and featured in news articles, on radio and podcasts, in documentaries, on TV, and much more.

My speaker topics

Typically, I talk about:

  • Journalism (including ethical journalism)
  • Disability (including mental health and chronic pain)
  • SEO copywriting and editing
  • What it was like to live through the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires
  • Bushfire recovery
  • Working (and writing) with trauma
  • Animal rights and veganism
  • The power of storytelling for advocacy
  • The importance of rest and self-care
  • How to run a business while living with chronic pain

And more (I’m a bit of an open book!)

Zoe Simmons shared her story as part of the She’s the Boss and Stories that Stir® International Women’s Day event. She was real, raw and had me on the edge of my seat listening to her every word. I learnt a lot from listening to her story and left feeling more empathy for what people with disabilities go through. I also learnt some simple ways I can make sure my events are inclusive and inviting for those who live with a disability. I was very inspired by her courage and determination and am grateful I was given the opportunity to see the world from her perspective.

Monica Rosenfield

Stories That Stir

Zoe Simmons has been an invaluable collaborator on multiple CoAct projects, most recently presenting at our 2024 ConnectUp Conference. Her session on cultivating customer-centric, inclusive language was both passionate and thought-provoking, resonating deeply with our members. Zoe’s genuine approach, combined with her expertise in disability advocacy, made her presentation not only informative but also inspiring. Her ability to connect with the audience and elevate awareness of best practices for DES  is truly commendable. We are grateful for her ongoing contributions to our work.

Simon Brown

CEO, CoAct

About me

I’m a self-confessed word nerd, after publishing my first article at the young age of 16. 

Advocacy

I write to make a difference in the world. And there are many causes I advocate for.

Portfolio

Want a peak at some of my work? Then feel free to check out my portfolio.

Want me to speak at your event or on your podcast?

Interested in having me on your podcast, speak at or MC your event, or interview me on radio? Let’s chat.

Follow me on socials

Podcast and radio appearances

ABC Drive

My book and survival in the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires

Triple U FM and Thursday Drive

The Black Summer Bushfires and my book

Kickass Radio

The SDA Housing Podcast

Episode 97 with Zoe Simmons

Candid Conversations with Melanie Foulkes

Instagram interview

Working with Chronic Pain with Zoe Simmons

The Committed Creative Podcast

Managing a chronic illness while growing a business

Marketing and Me Podcast

Biz Success Radio

Radio interview

2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires

i98 Radio appearance

We burned and the world forgot

I Swear I Never podcast

Living with chronic pain, surviving a natural disaster and writing to smash stigmas

Get real: Talking about Mental Health and Disability podcast

Zoe Simmons on invisible disabilities, using mobility aids as a young person and her upcoming book on the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019/2020

A Woman Charged podcast

The Disability Community saved my life

The I Can’t Stand podcast

The journey to being a Disability Advocate

Heal Your Heart, Heal Your Life podcast

Integrate your personal mission into your work

The One that Works for You podcast

Episode 11 - Zoe Simmons

Emerge Australia Imagine podcast

Heartbreak high aka All Hail Queen Chloe Hayden

Psychocinematic podcast

INSPIRE with Zoe Simmons - multiple chronic illnesses

The Michael Brian Show

Integrate your personal mission into your work

Word Candy podcast

Living and working with chronic pain?

Biz Success Radio podcast

Being better in your business and writing inclusive copy

The Clever Copywriting podcast

Inclusive marketing matters with Zoe Simmons

Small Business Made Simple podcast

Appearances on TV & documentaries

AbiliTV

Why can’t everyone catch the train in Melbourne? The Rail FAIL Exposed | AbiliTV Ep 211

Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV)

Pleasure and Empowerment

Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV)

Curious Conversations About Pleasure and Consent

Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV)

Challenging Stigma Around Pleasure

Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV)

Building Trust and Respect

10 News First

The great resignation

Four corners

The stories behind the viral videos from Australia’s bushfire crisis

Laneway

A CTV News project

19 September 2025

Laneway

A CTV News projedt

3 October 2025

Laneway

A CTV News project

31 October 2025

Laneway

7 November 2025

Reframed

Olivia Hargroder and I discuss life with disabilities

All in (CTV+)

Season 1, Episode 2

All in (CTV+)

Season 1, Episode 4

All in (CTV+)

Season 1, Episode 6

University of Wollongong

Disability at work: #1 myth debunked

Articles & Blog appearances

I’ve written hundreds of articles. But I’m also often quoted and featured in pieces by other writers. Here’s a few!

Image split into two. On the left hand side is Zoe Simmons sitting outside Parliament in Canberra, in her wheelchair, holding a sign that reads "NDIS cuts kill us". On the right hand side is Health Minister Mark Butler standing in Parliament.

Disability advocate criticises 'revolting' changes to NDIS

Published by Yahoo! news.

Zoe Simmons with bright pink hair and pale skin wearing a bright pink dress sitting in her wheelchair.

NDIS participants highlight mental toll of navigating 'complex' system

Published on ABC News.

Image that's split in half to show two different images. The left hand side shows a van parked improperly in a supermarket carpark. The right hand side is Zoe Simmons wearing a pink dress, a black jacket and using a cane. She's got long pink hair and white skin.

Incident in Woolworths car parks highlights need for change on issue impacting millions

Published in Yahoo News.

Qantas airplane flying in a slightly cloudy sky

Qantas passenger lashes out after airline commits infuriating act THREE times: 'We sincerely apologise'

Published in Daily Mail.

Qantas airplane flying in a slightly cloudy sky

Co-designing the Questions: Shaping sexual safety research with Neurodivergent Communities

Published by the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP).

Image of a disabled car park spot which shows the yellow lines for the car to park between and the white disabled icon on a section of the carpark that's painted blue

30-year Disability advocate takes aim at illegal driver act

Published on news.com.au.

Zoe Simmons with pink hair wearing black dress and boots using her wheelchair at a gathering

Qantas passenger hits out over hidden travel frustration for thousands of Aussies

Published in Yahoo News.

Zoe Simmons with pink hair wearing makeup on the left hand side of image and an image of Melbourne train on the right hand side.

Aussie exposes major danger in new $13 billion rail project

Published in Yahoo! News.

Zoe Simmons with bright pink hair wearing a bright pink dress sitting in her wheelchair. She's resting her face on her left hand.

How inclusive marketing can help you reach more customers in 2025

Published on Jenn Donovan’s blog.

Image of people crossing the street outside the QVB building in Sydney, Australia

Sinister side-effect of bosses' strict office rule

Published on news.com.au.

Image is of Zoe who has pink hair. She is holding up a copy of a book she appeared in.

Zoe's wheelchair was damaged on a Qantas flight. The airline initially refused to repair it

Published in SBS News.

Image of Zoe Simmon's hand trying to work the broken brake on her wheelchair. The brake was broken by Qantas during a domestic flight.

Qantas apologises after initially refusing to cover cost of woman's wheelchair left broken after flight

Published in Nine News.

Image is of Zoe Simmons with pink and blue hair wearing a pink dress. She's sitting in her wheelchair and there's a cream wall in the background. She appears in an ABC News article about "Heard AI has come for your job? For these copywriters, that future arrived months ago".

Heard AI is coming for your job? For these copywriters, that 'future' arrived months ago

Published in ABC News.

Image is of children playing in a caraven park near an Australian beach. It's evident from the air that they're close to bush fires.

Thousands of Australian residents had to take refuge on a beach as wildfires raged

Published in CNN World.

Image is of Zoe Simmons with long dark pink hair. She's wearing makeup and red liptstick. There's green scenery behind her.

Storytelling on the Spectrum with Simmons

Published by Disability Support Guide.

Image of Zoe Simmons with long pink and blue hair wearing a dress, black shoes, a stripey scarf and a black jacket. She's holding two red suitcases and has a black bag by her feet to move from Melbourne to country Victoria during the covid lockdown.

Covid lockdown-weary Melburnians fleeing to country Victoria

Published by Sunday Herald Sun.

Zoe Simmons with long bright pink hair wearing a long black dress. She's standing in a field with long grass and tall trees in the background.

Meet Zoe Simmons, award-winning journalist, editor, copywriter, author, speaker and disability advocate

Published by Women Changing the World Awards.

Image split into three to show three different women. On the left is Lisa Cox, in the middle is Zoe Simmons, and on the right is Natasha Price.

What entrepreneurs and business people with a disability want you to know

Published by Kochie’s Business Builders.

Image is of a map of part of NSW Australia with bright yellow spots where there were bushfires.

‘It’s apocalyptic’: Popular tourist spots on NSW south coast devastated by fires

Published by Yahoo News Australia.

Image is a close up of Zoe Simmons's face. She has dark pink hair and is wearing red lipstick. She's standing in front of a dark green bush.

Zoe Simmons advocates for individuals with disabilities through her journalism

Published by Stevie Awards.

Image of young girl wearing a mask, in a boat getting away from bush fires in Australia

Australian Airlines Becoming Increasingly Unfriendly

Published by Reduced Mobility.

Image is of a masked long-haired girl wearing a mask and escaping Australian fires where the scenery is very red and hard to see.

Australia fires: Thousands flee to beach to escape

Published in BBC news.

Image is of a yellow round object, in the shape of a bomb, with a smiley face on it.

Good Vibes Only: The Dark Side of Positivity

Published by Women’s Health Magazine.

Image shows Zoe Simmons, a Melbourne copywriter, SEO opywriter, journalist, author, speaker and editor. She has pale skin, red lipstick and purple hair. She's smiling and standing in front of a tree with pinkish red flowers.

A Chronic Entrepreneur

Published by A Chronic Entrepreneur.

Image is of a lady with long black hair sitting on an unmade bed with interior design materials on her bed. She's working from home.

This Is Your Reminder That You’re Still Allowed To Call In Sick While Working From Home

Published by Pedestrian.

Image has a blue background and shows three different ladies who appeared in true crime tv shows. Image used in Zoe Simmons's article about how true crime tv shows force us to face society's misdeeds.

True Crime TV Shows Force Us To Face Society’s Misdeeds – but who are they really helping?

Published in Refinery 29.

Image of a woman standing away from the camera wearing a top and white pants. She's got her arms stretched out in the air. She's standing on a hill and watching a gorgeous sunset.

'I'm 21 and have a very good reason why I never want children.'

Published by Mamamia.

Image background is bright red. In the top right hand corner are dollar signs in gold. There's also a blue graph slowly going upwards.

Why Your Blog on Your Website is the Hub of Your Online Marketing

Published by Organic Growth.

Image is of Zoe Simmons wearing a pink dress. She has long pink hair and there's a light pink wall in the background. She's using her walking aid.

Doing it differently with Zoe Simmons

Published by Laini Bennett.

Image is of a young Zoe Simmons holding a toy. She's being held by her grandfather.

Remembering loved ones affected by cancer on Valentine’s Day

Published by Cancer Council NSW.

Want to interview me?

Well, firstly, I’m flattered. Please feel free to get in touch today.

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