Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore: Recent Episodes
DISCOVER Voices by Disability Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
DISCOVER Voices is a brand-new podcast network that discusses life through the lens of people living with a long-term health condition or disability.
Our first podcast host is Dr Theo Blackmore, the residential researcher at disAbility Cornwall, a Disabled Peoples’ Organisation based in Hayle, Cornwall.
The podcast is currently available on Apple Podcasts, Podbean App, Youtube, TuneIn + Alexa & Amazon Music!
Our host Theo welcomes journalist John Pring on the show founder of Disability News Service. John discusses his journalism career, scandals he's covered and tells Theo about his latest book The Department. His book is an account of his 10-year investigation into how the actions of a government department, spurred on by politicians and the outsourcing industry, led to the deaths of hundreds of disabled people, and how they covered up their role in those deaths.
Disability News Service (DNS) is managed by John Pring, a journalist with a disability who has been covering disability-related topics for nearly 25 years. He founded DNS in April 2009 to fill the gap in comprehensive reporting on disability issues that was missing in both specialized and mainstream media.
DNS primarily focuses on topics such as discrimination, equality, independent living, benefits, poverty, activism, campaigning, and human rights, while also addressing employment, transport, education, housing, crime, and arts, culture, and sport.
John Pring personally researches and writes all the news stories, which are sent to subscribers every Thursday at lunchtime and then posted on the DNS website after 5pm the same day.
Find out more by visiting his website: https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/
To learn more about his book The Department (to be published by Pluto Press, 20 August 2024), go to: https://www.thedepartmentbook.com/
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Discover Voices (c) 2024, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.
Theo is joined by Zeenat Jeewa, CEO from the Asian Disabled Peoples Alliance (ADPA). They talk about the barriers many disabled Asian people face, what ADPA fights for and why South Asian Heritage Month is so important to celebrate.
Since 1988, ADPA have been providing culturally appropriate and bespoke sensitive Day care and Home care support and services to disabled, elderly and other isolated people. Their mission is to campaign on ensuring voices of Asian Disabled people, carers and their families are heard and their needs and rights are respected , understood and the inequalities are addressed.
Our host Theo is joined by Author, Artist and Activist Emma Geen who is on today's show to discuss Disability Climate Justice. Emma is a Climate and Disability Programme Associate for Bristol Nature & Climate Partnership - an organisation that played a pivotal role in Bristol’s journey to becoming the European Green Capital in 2015. This unique network is united by a vision that encompasses both climate action and nature conservation.
Theo and Emma talk about climate disaster planning, and how for example in a flooding emergency, disabled people are more at risk of serious harm.
This week on 'Conversations' with Dr Theo Blackmore, our podcast host Theo is joined by Dr Sarah Bell. Dr Sarah Bell is a Senior Lecturer in Health Geography at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH). Sarah is based at the University of Exeter Penryn Campus and focuses her research on the intersection between disability, social inequality and the changing natural environment. In this conversation, Theo and Sarah discuss the effects climate change has and will have, on people living with a long-term health condition or disability.
Theo is joined by Former London Olympics torch bearer, disability rights champion and social entrepreneur, Kush Kanodia. Kush has made it his mission to become a disability and rights champion, and social entrepreneur. Kush has had a monumental life journey, being a London Olympics Torch bearer in 2012 and being a key driving force for change for disabled peoples rights through transforming systems.
He was the seminal figure in removing NHS England car parking charges, which many claim was the most impactful positive change for disabled people since the formation of the NHS. He has recognised systematic barriers and worked with Premier League Football clubs, including Chelsea, to make their stadiums more accessible for disabled people; he has worked on other high profile projects including campaigning for ULEZ fairness for disabled drivers. He also holds an honorary doctorate at Kent University in recognition of his achievements.
Kush talks to our insightful host Theo about these campaigns, how to find confidence as a disabled person and Kush's Outlook on life.
Follow Kush on LinkedIn to keep updated on what he is doing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushkanodia/
This is the second part of Theo's conversation with Professor Colin Barnes, the leading figure in establishing the study of disability politics, sociology and the social model in the UK and globally.
Colin talks about how historically, disability was (can still be) perceived as a medical issue through the medical model, how it became politicised and the reappraisal of disability as society's failure to address disabled people's needs.
Colin argues that the whole point of what disability studies was about was using academic academic frameworks to produce research which had a purpose. For Colin, Disability Studies at Leeds is simply about putting theory policy into practice because this course is about giving you the skills to use knowledge to for the benefit of disabled people. he states ''we tried to do was get disabled people involved in discussions of disability''. Colin and others at the University put a primary focus on making the courses as accessible as possible for their students.
Our host Theo is joined by Colin Barnes, a Professor at the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds. Colin has been involved in the UK's disabled peoples movement throughout his academic career and has produced seminal research including work on disability discrimination and the social model of disability. Colin established the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) and worked with the British Council of Organisations of Disabled People’s (BCODP’s) creating their Disability Research Unit (DRU) in the School of Sociology and Social Policy in the 90s at Leeds University.
In this episode, we hear about Prof. Colin Barnes's upbringing in the 50s and his experience with 'special schools' moving on to how he got involved in the disabled peoples' movement.
For more information on Professor Colin Barnes: https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/sociology/staff/5/professor-colin-barnes
Theo is joined by Caitlin Gould, Founder and Director of TECgirls. They discuss the need to champion accessibility in Cornwall's growing tech industry. The two converse about the barriers disabled people face with regards to having access to technological hardware like tablets and laptops and about the Ctrl Alt Del Summit happening on the 21st February. An exciting event bringing the tech industry and local communities together to explore how innovative technology can lead the way in creating a accessible and inclusive future.
TECgirls aims to inspire the next generation of coders, engineers, video game designers, app developers, and digital artists in Cornwall.
To find out more and book tickets for the Ctrl Alt Del_ Summit: https://www.ctrlaltdelsummit.com/
To find out more about Caitlin's non-profit organisation, Techgirls: https://www.tecgirls.co.uk/
In this latest podcast episode, Theo, our engaging host, sits down with Ju Gosling, also known as ju90. Ju is Co-Chair of the Regard, a charity campaigning for Disabled LGBTQI+ people, Artistic Director of Folk in Motion CIC and Together! 2012 CIC and is a disabled artist.
As a disabled artist, Ju specialises in digital lens-based media while exploring performance, text and sound. Steeped in the theories and traditions of the Disability Arts movement, Ju has garnered international acclaim for her work. Beyond her artistic endeavors, she serves as the Artistic Director of Folk in Motion CIC and Together! 2012 CIC, as well as a director of Bettany Press. With prestigious affiliations like being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of BAFTA Cymru.
The two discuss intersectionality and the prevalent dichotomy between LGBTQI+ organisations and disabled peoples organisations and how there should be a greater emphasis on organisations becoming more inclusive and intersectional. They also discuss the pressing issue of social exclusion among LGBTQI+ disabled people.
Find out more about the charity Regard and their work to campaign for Disabled LGBTQI+ people here: https://regard.org.uk/
Follow Ju's latest work here: http://www.ju90.co.uk/
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Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.
Today our host Theo talks to journalist Luke Murray about how the disability lifestyle magazine DISCOVER came to fruition. DISCOVER, produced by our team here at disAbility Cornwall, was the original and pioneering magazine that gave disabled people a voice throughout the last few decades in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. Both take a trip down memory lane!
Our very last print issue was released this July and marks the end of an era of over 20+ Issues and decades of journalism and conversation in the disabled peoples' movement in the South West. Luke Murray is a professional working in the field of journalism and graphic design.
Want to see the latest issue of DISCOVER, and all the archived issues? Click the link below: https://www.disabilitycornwall.org.uk/services/discover-magazine
Our host, Theo, is joined by the fascinating and eclectic Trevor Palmer. Trevor is a full-time wheelchair user who runs his own business from Newport in South Wales and works with fellow disabled people. He has worked with a number of disability organisations to promote the rights, inclusion and equality of disabled people including his charity ResponsAble, a charity dedicated to assisting disabled people in disaster situations worldwide with specialist equipment, collaboration and advocacy work.
In this episode, Trevor discusses his adventures around the world, in countries including Trinidad, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Thailand and India to promote employment and sustainable economic development. He talks about his experience with MS, and the power of community.
Trevor also has interests in the Arts, and established the Azure Gallery and Studio in London during the 1980’s and was contracted to establish and run the Disability Advisory Group at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay during its construction and fitting out. He is currently a director of Disability Wales www.disabilitywales.org a Trustee of See Around Britain and a member of the management committee of Disability in Wales and Africa.
For more information on Trevor's charity ResponsAble visit: https://www.responsableassistance.org/
Join us for an insightful conversation with Rebecca Tayler Edwards, the esteemed representative from Disability Rights UK, as she sits down with our host, Theo Blackmore, in our latest episode! In this captivating interview, Rebecca delves into the crucial topic of involving the next young generation of disabled people in the disabled peoples (DPO) movement.
She shares invaluable insights from her recent masters research, shedding light on the significance of bridging the gap between young individuals and the DPO space. Her passion for connecting and actively encouraging younger people to join the movement shines through! Tune in as Rebecca and Theo discuss the challenges posed by limited funding capacity, distinguishing the DPO space from the macro voluntary sector, and how disputes with local authorities can adversely impact funding.
This eye-opening dialogue uncovers the vital issues at the heart of the DPO movement and the efforts required to ensure its continued growth and impact. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking episode! Click the link below to listen now and be inspired by the incredible work being done to empower the disabled community.
If you would like to get in contact with Rebecca, you can email her at: rebecca.tayler-edwards@disabilityrightsuk.org
Introducing the 11th episode of 'Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore', where our host Theo sits down with Ellen Clifford who is a part of DPAC, standing for Disabled People Against Cuts. DPAC is about disabled people and their allies. They welcome all to join us in fighting for justice and human rights for all disabled people.
Theo and Ellen talk about what Ellen describes as the revolutionary concept of the social model of disability, how societal barriers cause loneliness for disabled people that no one ever highlights in the media and discuss the question, are disabled people really oppressed?
For more information on DPAC: https://dpac.uk.net/
Introducing the 10th episode of "Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore", where our host Theo sits down with Joyce Kallevik from WISH. Founded in 1987, WISH is a user-led women’s mental health charity developing pioneering support services for under-served women and campaigning together for social justice. Theo and Joyce discuss how the prison system is not set up correctly for women, how many of WISH's staff have lived experience and how WISH help women through the justice and mental health system: ''We don't want women to tread water, we want them to swim and have goals and aspirations''.
WISH supports women with long-term mental health and other complex needs that may put them in contact with the mental health or criminal justice systems. They currently provide free community-based counselling like their trauma informed counselling service and other support and training services in Greater London and work with women detained in 4 secure hospitals in the North of England, providing independent mental health advocacy.
For more information on their organisation visit: www.womenatwish.org.uk or email: info@womenatwish.org.uk
Introducing the 9th episode of "Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore", where our host Theo sits down with Ella and Luke from the Disabled People's Archive. The Disabled People’s Archive is an initiative by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People with the support of Archives+ from Manchester Central Library. The archive aims to preserve and promote the history of the UK's Disabled Peoples' Movement, and the conversation delves into the importance of this mission. Ella and Luke share their insights on the fear of losing the history and recording of the disabled peoples movement, their process of archiving work, mapping out the movement, why certain groups in the history of the disabled peoples movement ceased to exist, and how people can access the archive. The conversation also explores why it is integral to have the history of the movement mapped in-house in a DPO, rather than at a university, as the movement is by the people, for the people. As the archiving process is about the future as much as it is about the past, the archive is used to inform us about the struggles many disabled people face today, and to design a better world that caters to the social model of disability.
Join Theo, Ella, and Luke for an insightful conversation on the importance of preserving and promoting the history of the UK's Disabled Peoples' Movement. Don't miss this episode of "Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore". For more information on their organisation visit: https://disabledpeoplesarchive.com/ or email: https://disabledpeoplesarchive.com/
Our host Theo talks to Lynne from Disability Positive about the importance of lived experiences in a Disabled Peoples' Organisation setting, disabilities being labelled as a minority group and much more!
Lynne Turnbull is the Chief Executive of Disability Positive, a Disabled Peoples' Organisation (DPO) based in Cheshire. They have a range of services to help people with everyday life, being part of their local community and looking after their own wellbeing, offering advice, help with practical tasks and advocate for people in lots of different situations in the North of England.
To find out more about Disability Positive, go to: https://disabilitypositive.org/
Our podcast host Dr Theo Blackmore has a conversation with Inclusion London's CEO Tracey Lazard. With more than two decades of experience working across various Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (DDPOs), Tracey is a person with a disability who has dedicated her career to advocating for disability equality, user involvement, and the Social Model of Disability and the Cultural Model of Deafness. Throughout the last 16 years, she has held CEO positions, and in 2011, she became Chief Executive at Inclusion London.
Tracey is deeply committed to the role DDPOs play in promoting equality and inclusion, as well as providing effective, accessible, and comprehensive services that have a positive impact on the lives of Deaf and Disabled people.
For more information on Inclusion London please go to: https://www.inclusionlondon.org.uk/
Our series host Theo Blackmore is joined by Sophie Fournel, CEO of Disability Assist. Disability Assist is a disabled peoples' user-led organisation that covers the county of Kent.
They discuss the situation many disabled people face in Kent and the real need to encourage disabled people into the workforce. They discuss that more young disabled people need to come forward and start steering the future of disabled user-led organisations and charities.
For more information on Disability Assist and if you need information and advice in Kent, please go to: www.disabilityassist.org.uk/
Happy International Women's day! We have a fantastic podcast episode with guest speakers from WinVisible, an organisation devoted to fighting for the rights of disabled women.
Guest speakers associated with WinVisible discuss how there is massive discrimination and injustice that faces disabled mothers; how automatically, disabled mothers are seen as harmful to their children; the injustice many asylum seekers face and the alarming levels of domestic violence that women cannot escape from. Watch and listen to an array of passionate speakers on issues facing women and mothers across the country.
WinVisible is a multi-racial grassroots group that brings together women from diverse backgrounds and with various disabilities. Through mutual support, the group helps its members overcome isolation and discrimination, and fights for their entitlements. WinVisible offers self-help information and advocacy on issues such as benefits, accessing healthcare and support services, and employment discrimination. The group also tackles challenges related to homecare charges and the cost of living.For more information, visit WinVisible's website at: https://winvisibleblog.wordpress.com/
Their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winvisiblewomen/
Their Twitter: https://twitter.com/winvisiblewomen
Theo and Rick Burgess, Outreach and Development Lead at Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP), have had a chat. They reminisce on how many disabled peoples' organisations were formed in pubs and by writing letters to eachother, and how it is essential to keep the disabled people's movement going, and that the key is to focus on rights, not charity!
For more information on Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, please go to: https://gmcdp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/gmcdp
How accessible is the county of Wiltshire for disabled people?
Theo converses with Mary Reed, CEO at Wiltshire Centre For Independent Living, about the challenges of being disabled in a rural county like Cornwall or Wiltshire. --Discover Voices (c) 2022, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.
Theo is back with episode two! He talks with Dean Harvey, a Community Development Worker for Pentreath LTD, a mental health charity based near Newquay, Cornwall.
They talk about how people face oppression on multiple fronts and how third (voluntary) sector services can improve by helping people in a more holistic manner. They discuss how 'minorities' are minoritised and open the discussion on the pros and cons of terminology like BAME and Ally.
This December 3rd marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022, so what better day to announce our first new DISCOVER Voices podcast host, Dr Theo Blackmore. In Theo's first episode, he is joined by his friend and colleague Stephen Lee Hodgkins. Stephen is a self-taught community artist and visual thinker based in York. The duo discusses the implications of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, cultural values relating to disability and much more!