You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast: Recent Episodes

Disability Rights Florida

The purpose of the You First podcast is to discuss the rights of individuals with disabilities, putting your rights first. Host Keith Casebonne interviews knowledgeable guests, accounts first-hand experiences, and dives into issues of national and global importance to people with disabilities.

This podcast is produced by Disability Rights Florida, a not-for-profit corporation working to protect and advance the rights of Floridians with disabilities through advocacy and education. You can learn more about Disability Rights Florida on our website at DisabilityRightsFlorida.org.

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HHWS6KTKcTU

Keith and Jodi interview Meier Galblum Haigh, Executive Director of Disability Culture Lab, about the summer streetwear collection "We're Still Here: Fashion Against Fascism," shaped by conversations with more than 40 disabled people and a North Star visioning process exploring what "winning" and liberation look like. Meier explains Disability Culture Lab's mission to build disabled-led communications infrastructure because "bad stories lead to bad policy," and describes themes behind the collection—interdependence and care, disabled leadership and power, disabled joy, and the harms of oppressive systems—along with tensions around non-disabled parents driving harmful narratives. The Deep Cut segment reviews Netflix's "All the Light We Cannot See" through a disability lens, discussing authentic casting of blind/low-vision actors, shortcomings in character depth and historical context of Nazi violence against disabled people, the value of audio description, and the need for agency, complexity, access, and disabled involvement behind the camera.

Disability Culture Lab
- Website: https://www.disabilityculturelab.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/disabilityculturelab
- BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/disabilitylab.bsky.social
- Store: https://shop.disabilityculturelab.org/

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DoefSSe9QW0

Hosts Keith and Jodi interview the married writing team behind the pen name Sebastian Grey about their debut novel, "Merry Band of Misfits," a heist story centering disabled characters as protagonists, including Vinnie, a man with Down syndrome, and his chosen family planning a bank heist to protect their home. They discuss their film/TV background, their goal to counter "inspirational side character" tropes, and why the heist genre highlights capability, moral ambiguity, and agency. The authors describe barriers in Hollywood and why they created their indie press, Bastion House, to control the message. They detail a Kirkus Review they call an "erasure" for centering the non-disabled brother Nicholas and mislabeling or omitting key disabilities, prompting them to speak publicly. In the "Deep Cut" segment, the hosts analyze the book's themes of autonomy, caregiving, ableism, community living, humor, and low expectations.

Sebastian Grey: https://sebastiangreytheauthor.substack.com/
Bastian House Publishing: https://bastianhousepublishing.com/
Purchase "Merry Band of Misfits": https://books2read.com/merry-band-of-misfits

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s_hsDxHf4gQ

Hosts Keith and Jodi interview Stephanie Woodward, CEO of Disability EmpowHer Network, an organization run by and for disabled girls and women to build leadership skills and confidence. Stephanie consults businesses on inclusion and shares disability-parenting misconceptions through social media while raising six kids, including one-year-old triplets. Woodward discusses disability rights protest as part of an advocacy cycle—"asking did not work"—and explains founding Disability EmpowHer Network after lacking disabled women role models and seeing barriers in education, employment, and leadership, emphasizing mentorship, community, and broader definitions of leadership (including self-advocacy in medical settings). In the Deep Cut, the hosts discuss CODA's portrayal of a Deaf family, Ruby's heavy burden of interpreting, access as a community responsibility, and the film's strengths and complications in centering a hearing protagonist.

Disability EmpowHER Network: https://www.disabilityempowhernetwork.org/
Instagram: @disabilityempowhernetwork and @wctriplets
TikTok: @disability_empowher and @wctriplets
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/disability-empowher-network

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mSumRVieRjc

Hosts Keith and Jodi interview Nila Morton, a Black disabled woman, content creator, social worker, and disability advocate, about visibility, fashion, desire, sex education, and how ableism and racism shape who is seen as desirable or fully adult; she describes pushback for discussing relationships and sex, the need to normalize disability in public, and how she sets boundaries while educating others. The episode's Deep Cut reviews the documentary "Patrice: The Movie," about Patrice Jetter and Garry Wickham facing benefits rules that penalize marriage and cohabitation, including the SSI $2,000 savings limit, loss of benefits tied to fundraising, accessible transportation barriers, and the looming threat of institutionalization. The hosts connect the story to policy efforts like the Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act and related SSI reforms.

Find Nila online: https://linktr.ee/NilaNMorton

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y6Jck3rU5FI

On this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Jodi and Keith interview Mark Miller, founder and CEO of Inclusion Impact Accessibility and a contributor to the W3C Accessibility Maturity Model, about what it means for state and local governments to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA and the implications of the DOJ Title II rule with an (now extended) April 24, 2027, deadline for entities serving 50,000+ people. Mark explains WCAG, common barriers across websites, documents, apps, videos, and kiosks; the inefficiency of retrofitting versus building accessibility into design, development, QA, and governance; and why overlays don't deliver "full compliance." The episode also discusses media representation, including CODA, Bridgerton, The Pitt, and a Deep Cut analysis of Todd Browning's 1932 film Freaks, weighing its historical visibility of disabled performers against harmful language, exploitation, and horror framing.

Inclusion Impact Accessibility: https://inclusionimpact.co/
Mark Miller: https://inclusionimpact.co/mark-miller/

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CdAXtUnGIeg

On this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi speak with Jhónelle Bean, a disability advocate and ASL interpreter with Tourette syndrome, about the BAFTA Film Awards incident in which John Davidson involuntarily shouted the N-word onstage and how the public response split between denying Tourette's realities and dismissing Black harm; Jhónelle explains common misconceptions, describes Tourette's as a neurological tic disorder with a spectrum of motor and vocal tics (including but not limited to coprolalia), and discusses intersectionality, including added risks for Black people with Tourette's around policing and disbelief. The conversation emphasizes listening to lived experience, empathy, and accountability for media decisions, including reported editing choices. In the Deep Cut segment, they revisit "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," noting outdated stereotypes and body-shaming, and discuss the film's shallow treatment of caregiving, grief, Arnie's disability portrayal, and Bonnie's dignity, including the ending's "convenient" resolution.

Jhónelle's social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Jhonelle_bean
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Jhonelle_bean
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jhonelle_Bean

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vXbGfHYwW1k

In the first episode of Season 3 of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi speak with Spencer West—author, motivational speaker, advocate, and content creator—about his book "Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself" and the pressures of external approval, anxiety, self-doubt, and authenticity. West shares how college and coming out as gay challenged the "North American Dream," how therapy, meditation, and life experience help him stay grounded online, and why disabled people don't have to be constant educators, emphasizing boundaries and consent. The conversation addresses ableism, access barriers, and harmful "inspiration" framing, along with navigating disability and dating. In the Deep Cut segment, Keith and Jodi discuss why "Breaking Free" is a practical, conversational memoir-guide with prompts, focused on small changes, redefining purpose, asking for help, community care, and celebrating simple joys.

Spencer West's website - https://www.spencer2thewest.com
Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself - https://www.spencer2thewest.com/books

Hi again, it's Jodi and Keith, hosts of Disability Deep Dive, a podcast from Disability Rights Florida.

We are thrilled to announce that Season Three premieres on May 7th, featuring our special guest Spencer West. And this season we're not skimming the surface. We're digging into digital accessibility, desire and visibility, self-doubt, advocacy, protest, and the dangerous politics surrounding assisted dying. These are conversations about power, culture, justice, and what changes when disabled people lead the story themselves. Because disability isn't a single story. It's part of every story.

So get ready for Disability Deep Dive Season Three out on May 7th. Watch us on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss what's next.

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OAR134W1TGM

In the final episode of season two of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi delve into the intersection of music, language access, and interpretation with renowned ASL interpreter Amber Galloway. Amber shares insights on her 25-year career making music performances accessible and visually expressive for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences. The episode also discusses broader issues of accessibility at concerts, educational advocacy, and Amber's latest project—a fully accessible retreat center called Soulful Spaces. The episode concludes with a "Deep Cut" segment analyzing an episode of Only Murders in the Building that offers a Deaf perspective, highlighting the importance of access tools in storytelling.

Amber's website: https://www.ambergproductions.com
Amber's TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/speakers/amber_galloway_gallego

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cIVv3xsKT24

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi engage in a compelling conversation with Shane and Hannah, the creators behind Squirmy and Grubs. They discuss the challenges and responsibilities of living authentically online amidst scrutiny and stigma. The duo talks about their journey as disability advocates, the importance of mental health, and the necessity of setting boundaries to protect their well-being. The episode explores how they navigate hateful commentary, decide what to share publicly, and remain true to their mission of changing societal perceptions of disability. Additionally, the discussion touches on the complex balance between visibility and privacy in their Deep Cut segment, which features an analysis of the film "I Didn't See You There."

Interabled: True Stories About Love and Disability from Squirmy & Grubs and Other Interabled Couples - https://www.amazon.com/Interabled-Stories-Disability-Squirmy-Couples/dp/1250620716
Laughing at My Nightmare - https://www.laughingatmynightmare.com
Squirmy and Grubs website - https://www.squirmyandgrubs.com/
Squirmy and Grubs on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/squirmyandgrubs

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/w4DVZRNbk-Y

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Jodi and Keith interview Cory Lee, a travel writer and advocate who has traversed all seven continents while using a power wheelchair due to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Cory discusses his inspiration for starting his blog, "Curb Free with Cory Lee," the challenges and lessons he's encountered in his travels, and his insights on global accessibility. The conversation also touches on how travel can foster empathy and the need for meaningful access in tourism. Additionally, the episode delves into the representation of autism in media, focusing on the show "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," and explores the impact of language, realism, and audience perception in disability narratives.

Curb Free with Cory Lee: https://curbfreewithcorylee.com
Cory's children's book "Let's Explore With Cor Cor": https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Explore-Cor-Cory-Lee/dp/0578670887

Let's Explore With Cor Cor

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a1gYqQ1iWpg

This episode of Disability Deep Dive features a conversation with Charles Redding, Executive Director of Wheels for Humanity and the leader of CLASP (Consolidating Logistics for Assistive Technology for Supply Provision). They discuss shifting from charity to sustainable systems for delivering assistive technology globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Redding explains CLASP's role in establishing reliable supply chains to ensure access to high-quality, affordable assistive products and highlights their work in crisis settings. The episode also delves into the broader need for policy advocacy, investment in rehabilitation services, and the importance of inclusive disaster response. The discussion is followed by a review of the documentary 'Rising Phoenix,' which explores the history and impact of the Paralympic Games in redefining disability and athletic achievement.

Momentum Wheels for Humanity: https://momentum4humanity.org
CLASP: https://www.clasphub.org

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZRm8tiM1JqE

In the 100th episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Jodi and Keith celebrate the milestone by interviewing recording artist, songwriter, and advocate Lachi. They discuss her journey from performing on stage to leading the advocacy group RAMPD, her experiences in the music industry, and her efforts to make the industry more accessible. Lachi shares insights from her upcoming book, 'I Identify as Blind,' which aims to integrate disability into pop culture through humor and storytelling. The episode also features a discussion on the film 'Sound of Metal,' exploring themes of identity, disability, and community.

Pre-order "I Identify as Blind": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761599/i-identify-as-blind-by-lachi-with-tim-vandehey/

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/_mk7zmUDYsk

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi delve into the harrowing crisis of preventable deaths among individuals with intellectual disabilities. Joined by UK Professor Sara Ryan, author of "Critical Health and Learning Disabilities: an Exploration of Erasure and Social Murder," they discuss the systemic issues and inaction that allow these tragic deaths to persist. Professor Ryan shares personal anecdotes and case studies, highlighting the concept of 'social murder,' where known harmful conditions remain unaddressed. In the "Deep Cut" segment, they review the BBC drama "When Barbara Met Alan," which portrays the real-life struggles and triumphs of disability rights activists in the UK. The conversation emphasizes the importance of ongoing advocacy, public engagement, and the crucial need for enforcement and attitudinal shifts to achieve true equality. They also explore the differences between the UK's Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), examining the impact of grassroots activism on legislative change.

Sara Ryan's book, "Critical Health and Learning Disabilities: An Exploration of Erasure and Social Murder" - https://www.routledge.com/Critical-Health-and-Learning-Disabilities-An-Exploration-of-Erasure-and-Social-Murder/Ryan/p/book/9781032605005

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/mJ_MhtjSnhM

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi explore the theme "Access Not Applause" with guest Sarah Todd Hammer, an author, speaker, and consultant. Sarah Todd shares her journey with Acute Flaccid Myelitis, discusses the challenges and triumphs of moving from home to independent living, and underscores the importance of genuine access over superficial inspiration. They delve into practical tools and inclusive design in products and spaces while challenging common 'inspiration tropes' in disability narratives. The episode also highlights the documentary "Catwalk: From Glada Hudik to New York," showcasing a runway journey of models with intellectual disabilities emphasizing genuine joy, connection, and inclusion.

View the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_fKrzCuCYUQ?si=9La4y5V1MmIfrJR9

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi are joined by Peet Montzingo, a creator, musician, and author, to discuss his book 'Little Imperfections: A Tall Tale of Growing Up Different.' Peet shares his experiences as the only average height member of a family of little people, his journey to online fame, and the importance of using humor and personal stories to shift perceptions about disability and difference. The episode also features a Deep Cut segment discussing the 2021 film 'Cyrano' starring Peter Dinklage, exploring themes of beauty, love, and representation. Tune in for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about family, identity, and the power of storytelling.

Hi, it's Jodi and Keith, the hosts of Disability Deep Dive, a podcast from Disability Rights Florida. It's where real conversations about life, culture, and leadership meet the lived disability experience.

In Season One, we unpacked tough questions with advocates, creators, and researchers -- you know, people changing how we think about access and belonging. And now we're back with Season Two on November 6th, and the conversations are getting even better. And this time, you can see us: Disability Deep Dive is now a video podcast. You'll still get the same thoughtful conversations, but now with faces, laughs, and all those in-between moments that make the dialogue real.

From music to travel, influence to interpretation, our guests are reimagining what's possible and how change really happens. We explore how stories shape systems and how lived experience drives innovation. Because disability isn't a single story, it's part of every story.

So get ready for Disability Deep Dive Season Two out on November 6th. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. And subscribe so you don't miss what's next.

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi are joined by Dr. Lisa Meeks, founder of the Docs with Disabilities Initiative. They explore how medical education can better support learners and clinicians with disabilities, discussing the initiative's origins, challenges faced by disabled learners, and practical steps for creating inclusive environments. They also examine the impact of disability representation on patient care and delve into a related TV show, The Pitt, highlighting a neurodivergent resident's approach to care. This episode underscores the importance of storytelling, policy transparency, and inclusive practices in transforming medical training and care.

Docs with Disabilities Initiative: https://www.docswithdisabilities.org

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi explore the power of blind-led media with Aaron Richmond, creator of Aaron's Opinion podcast and YouTube channel. Aaron shares his motivations behind starting his podcast, the unique tagline “Help one person today, help one million people tomorrow,” and the importance of blind and disabled voices in media. The discussion touches on challenges in maintaining consistent content, building a community, and the role of media in shaping societal understanding of disabilities. The episode wraps up with a special deep cut featuring the music video Lift Me Up, celebrating Judy Heumann's legacy and showcasing accessible pop culture.

Aaron’s Opinion on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aaronsopiniontv
Life Me Up video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmr4H9NpTKk

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi explore the intersections of school mascots, disability, and advocacy. They are joined by Erin Elswood and Jillian Curwin of Mascots Matter, who provide insights into the harm caused by ableist mascots in schools and their campaign to eliminate them. The conversation covers personal experiences, challenges faced, and the importance of storytelling in shifting perspectives. The episode also features a discussion on the children's book Little Imperfections: A Tall Tale of Growing Up Different, emphasizing the importance of embracing differences. Listen to learn more about the campaign, its successes, and the ongoing efforts to create inclusive school environments.

Mascots Matter website: https://mascotsmatter.net/
Little Imperfections website: https://littleimperfectionsbook.com/

In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi explore the complex interplay between disability science, technology, and ethics with guest Katie Hasson, Associate Director at the Center for Genetics and Society. The conversation delves into the ethical concerns surrounding genetic technologies, the medical vs. social model of disability, and the risk of eugenics in current bioethical practices. Katie also highlights the Center's work in ensuring social justice and equity in biotechnologies, and emphasizing the importance of including disabled voices in policy discussions. The episode concludes with a discussion on the documentary 'Fixed: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement,' which examines the impact of biotechnology on the disabled community.

In this inaugural episode of our rebranded podcast, Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi introduce the new format and address the importance of discussing innovative ways to educate about disability through pop culture. Guest Kyle Romano, a professor at the University of South Florida, shares his experience teaching a unique course on disability and pop culture, sharing with us the impact of representation in media on public perceptions of disability. The episode also features a new segment, "This Week's Deep Cut," which spotlights the Hulu show Ramy for its authentic portrayal of disability through the character Steve Way, a disabled actor who brings genuine representation to the screen. The episode emphasizes the importance of real, lived experiences in shaping disability education and advocacy.

If you’ve been a listener of You First, you might notice things sound a little different. That’s because we’ve rebranded! Welcome to Disability Deep Dive! The same podcast, but with a new name, a fresh perspective … and a brand new co-host.

Keith Casebonne and Jodi Beckstine from Disability Rights Florida continue to bring you the stories, voices, and ideas that matter to the disability community. So whether you’ve been with us for years or you’re just diving in—we’re glad you’re here.

New Disability Deep Dive episodes are coming soon!

Welcome back to You First, where we’re taking a small break from producing new episodes and instead are sharing some older episodes you might have missed. There’s a good chance you missed this episode, our last of four encore episodes, as it didn’t perform as well as most of our other ones. But we think the content is compelling and the guests are engaging, so we're putting it back out there. This episode is called "By and For People with Disabilities," and it was initially released in September of 2021. Elizabeth Wright and Jennifer Price are the guests, and they talk about how people with disabilities are creating their own content, controlling the narrative, and helping to create platforms where their stories, in their words, can be shared. And we're happy to share this encore episode with you.

Resources:

Conscious Being Magazine
Disability Review Magazine
EmpowerEd: Using Real Case Examples to Look Deeper into IEP Management
Disability Media Network

EmpowerEd: Using Real Case Examples to Look Deeper into IEP Management

Welcome to another encore episode of You First. We’re taking a little break from making new episodes and are re-sharing some past episodes that we feel are worth another listen. This is the third of four encore episodes, initially released in July of 2023, and it’s called "Paving a Way Disabled in STEM." We interviewed Dr. Anita Marshall to learn more about her work to make STEM education more accessible for students with disabilities. Anita created GeoSPACE, the first-ever disability-accessible planetary geoscience field course and mentoring program, and is the Executive Director of The International Association for Geoscience Diversity. We also debunk myths about academia, and wish we were back in school to be a part of this really cool work Anita is doing. Hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it!

Show Notes and Resources:

Dr. Anita Marshall's Website
GeoSPACE Program
The International Association for Geoscience Diversity

Today we have another encore episode of You First. This is the second of four encore episodes as we’re taking a bit of a break from producing new episodes. Now this episode, "The Intersection of Disability and Reproductive Justice," is by far our most popular episode – and by a significant margin! But in case you missed it back in August of 2022, count your lucky stars because here it is again.

Roe v Wade was overturned not long before we recorded this episode, and we wanted to take a deep dive into how the overturning affects the disability community. Maddie hosted this episode and led an incredible conversation with activists Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, Rebecca Cokley, Keith Jones, and Heather Watkins about how the ruling affects them, the disability community as a whole, and other marginalized groups, especially in ways that you may not have considered. And it’s all just as relevant today as it was when we recorded it.

Please note that this conversation discusses heavy themes and references systems of oppression such as racism and ableism, infanticide, abortion, and forced sterilization.

Links:

Morénike Giwa Onaiwu

https://morenikego.com/
https://twitter.com/morenikego

Keith Jones

http://dasoultoucha.com/About/
https://twitter.com/dasoultoucha

Heather Watkins

https://slowwalkersseemore.com/
https://twitter.com/hwatkins927

Rebecca Cokley

https://rebecca-cokley.medium.com/
https://twitter.com/rebeccacokley

We’re taking a break from producing new episodes of You First for a bit, so we’ll be re-releasing four older episodes that we feel are worth another listen. We’re starting things off with an episode that is from February 2021 called "Disability Media Representation." We spoke with Beth Haller and Jeff Preston, both of whom are university professors, authors, and experts on disability in the media. We had a great discussion about what’s been done both right and wrong with the portrayal of people with disabilities in both film and TV and the impact of streaming platforms on the movement. We kicked things off with an interesting discussion about what a disaster a movie called Music was that has been released not long before we recorded the episode.

Referenced in the episode:

Routledge Companion to Disability and Media
Representing Disability in an Ableist World: Essays on Mass Media
The Fantasy of Disability: Images of Loss in Popular Culture
Disability and Social Media: Global Perspectives
Salon: Sia's directorial debut "Music" is a baffling and patronizing cringefest of ableist minstrelsy
LISTEN: Film by CommunicationFIRST
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

In this episode of You First, hosts Maddie and Keith dive into disability voting rights and the upcoming 2024 election with experts Michelle Bishop, Monica Wiley, and Jack Rosen from the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). The discussion explores voting accessibility, challenges faced by disabled voters, and new support resources in Florida. Emphasis is placed on the importance of local elections, the power of the disability vote, and the critical need for inclusivity and accessibility from the start. The conversation also highlights the politicization of disability in elections and the necessity of advocacy and allyship for voting rights. The episode concludes with an insight into an upcoming documentary on these vital issues.

Relevant Links

Voting Rights Hotline: Call 877-352-7337 if you have an issue with voting or registering to vote due to a disability.
Election Protection Hotline
- English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
- Spanish/English 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
- Asian Languages/English 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
- Arabic/English 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
- Website: https://866ourvote.org
National Association of the Deaf’s ASL Voter Assistance Hotline
- 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)
- Website: https://www.nad.org/2018/09/28/asl-voter-assistance-hotline-available
Disability Rights Florida’s voting resources
- Main website: https://DisabilityRightsFlorida.org/voting
- Know Your Rights Fact Sheet: Making a Voting Access Complaint: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/publications/publication_info/HAVA_complaint
- Know Your Rights Fact Sheet: Supervised Facility Voting: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/publications/publication_info/fact_sheet_supervised_facility_voting
- Your Disability Voting Rights Brochure: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/publications/publication_info/voting_brochure
- Voting Machine Explainer Videos: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/disability-topics/disability_topic_info/voting_explainer_videos
Know what’s on your ballot: https://www.vote411.org/ballot
Florida’s Rev Up chapter ‘Access the Vote Florida’: https://www.accessthevote.org
Find your P&A: https://www.ndrn.org/about/ndrn-member-agencies
Rutger’s Disability Vote Research: https://smlr.rutgers.edu/faculty-research-engagement/program-disability-research/voter-turnout-and-voting-accessibility
Accessing Democracy Documentary Virtual Premier: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuc-ugqzksGNBHggVvDOiyio-S29EWgca5#/registration
Accessing Democracy Trailer: https://youtu.be/j74zs8N8OLs
CripTheVote and Voting Advocacy - with Andrew Pulrang and Gregg Beratan: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/podcast/story/episode_66

In this episode of You First, hosts Keith and Maddie interview Matthew Cortland, a Senior Resident Fellow at Data for Progress. Matthew shares insights about their work in public opinion research and advocacy focused on disability issues and social policies. They discuss their personal journey, including challenges with the healthcare system, and explain how data is used to influence policy decisions. The conversation covers topics like the importance of accurate demographic data, the role of public opinion in advocacy, and effective messaging strategies for long-term care support and COVID-19. Matthew emphasizes the need for systemic interventions and supportive legislative efforts to better address the needs of disabled people.

Relevant Links

Follow Matthew on social media: https://linktr.ee/matthewcortland
Data for Progress: https://www.dataforprogress.org
Disability Rights program at the Ford Foundation: https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/challenging-inequality/disability-rights
Disability Scoop article "Census Rethinking How To Count Disability Population”: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/08/15/census-rethinking-how-to-count-disability-population/31009
Data for Progress Message Testing on Home and Community-Based Services Coverage: https://www.dataforprogress.org/datasets/message-testing-on-home-and-community-based-services-coverage
Long COVID Research Moonshot Act of 2024: https://www.sanders.senate.gov/in-the-news/sanders-proposes-moonshot-bill-to-combat-long-covid-crisis

In this episode of the You First Podcast, hosts Maddie and Keith talk with disabled activist and attorney Marissa Ditkowsky about the challenges and inequities faced by disabled women in healthcare, employment, and financial freedom. Marissa discusses her role as Disability Economic Justice Council at the National Partnership for Women and Families and shares insights on systemic oppression, the impact of disability on financial stability, and the importance of intersectional advocacy. The episode also addresses issues like reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Relevant links:

National Partnership for Women & Families Website: https://nationalpartnership.org/
National Partnership for Women & Families social media:
- Twitter: https://x.com/npwf, or @npwf
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/npwf/, or @npwf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalpartnership/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@npwf?lang=en, or @npwf
- Marissa's Twitter: @mditkowsky (https://x.com/mditkowsky)
Systems Transformation Guides: https://nationalpartnership.org/report/disability-economic-justice-systems-transformation/
The Intersection of Disability and Reproductive Justice - with Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, Rebecca Cokley, Keith Jones, and Heather Watkins: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/podcast/story/episode_38
Buck v Bell: https://disabilityjustice.org/right-to-self-determination-freedom-from-involuntary-sterilization
FreeBritney and Disability: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/17/freebritney-shines-light-problematic-guardianship-systems
How State Abortion Bans Harm Disabled Women: https://nationalpartnership.org/report/state-abortion-bans-harm-disabled-women/
What Disability Reproductive Equity Day Means to Me: https://nationalpartnership.org/what-disability-reproductive-equity-day-means-to-me/
National Women’s Law Center’s resource about Forced Sterilization of Disabled People in the United States: https://nwlc.org/resource/forced-sterilization-of-disabled-people-in-the-united-states/
American Progress’s article ‘Rethinking Guardianship to Protect Disabled People’s Reproductive Rights: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/rethinking-guardianship-to-protect-disabled-peoples-reproductive-rights/

In this episode of the You First Podcast, hosts Keith and Maddie interview Cara Reedy, founder and director of the Disabled Journalists Association. Cara shares her journey from political science and theater to journalism, spending ten years at CNN. She discusses the challenges of being disabled in the newsroom, toxic productivity, and the systemic ableism in the journalism industry. Cara then explains how her organization supports disabled journalists by providing resources and advocating for systemic changes in newsrooms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intersectionality and the role of personal experience in shaping compelling and unbiased stories.

Relevant Links

Disabled Journalists Association Twitter: https://x.com/discojourno
Disabled Journalists Association LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/disabled-journalists-association
Disabled Journalists Association Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disabledjournalists
Disabled Journalists Association Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555117454122
Cara Reedy website: https://www.infamouslyshort.com
Disabled Journalists Association website: discojourno.com
Judy Heumann white paper at Ford on media: https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/learning/research-reports/road-map-for-inclusion-changing-the-face-of-disability-in-media
Learn about the inter-movement work between the Black Panthers and disability community: https://samischalk.com/black-disability-politics/

Content warning: mentions of suicide, assisted suicide, and medical violence against people with disabilities.

In this compelling episode of the You First podcast, hosts Maddie and Keith continue their in-depth interview with Anita Cameron, a prominent activist in the disability rights movement. They explore Anita's role at Not Dead Yet, focusing on their work against assisted suicide and their perspectives on medical discrimination and healthcare rationing affecting the disabled community. Anita shares personal stories, including a poignant account of their mother's struggle with assisted suicide pressures and her fight for proper healthcare. The discussion extends to the implications of assisted suicide laws in both the United States and Canada, highlighting the risks and biases involved. Anita ends by offering powerful advice for aspiring activists and emphasizes the importance of ongoing advocacy for disability rights.

Lastly, we are up for a podcast award! Please vote for 'You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast' under the 'Society and Culture' category on the People's Choice website.

Relevant Links

Not Dead Yet: https://notdeadyet.org/
Diane Coleman’s article ‘Assisted Suicide and Disability: Another Perspective’: https://dredf.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Diane-Coleman-article-on-ABA-website.pdf
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund’s Assisted Suicide Law Info: https://dredf.org/public-policy/assisted-suicide/
Canada’s Medicaid Assistance in Dying (MAID): https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-services-benefits/medical-assistance-dying.html
Patients Rights Action Fund: https://patientsrightsaction.org/
Patient’s Rights Council: https://www.patientsrightscouncil.org/site/

On this episode of You First, we talk with the fantastic disability rights activist Anita Cameron. Anita was, and still is, a core reason why we have disability rights today. They were an early adopter of disability rights and justice advocacy and heavily involved and a leader of the organization ADAPT (known throughout the years as American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit or American Disabled for Attendant Programs), the Atlantis community, amongst many other pivotal leadership roles. Anita joins us today to share the history of the disability rights movement and their own stories, experiences, and wisdom as someone involved in disability activism for decades. Anita will tell us about their work in this field, different protests, and the disabled disobedience that got us the crucial laws and protections we have today. We had the pleasure of speaking with Anita for over 2 hours and decided to split this into two episodes.

Lastly, we are up for a podcast award! Please vote for 'You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast' under the 'Society and Culture' category on the People's Choice website.

Relevant Links

Anita Cameron website: https://bit.ly/3WfDA0Z
Anita Cameron’s Twitter: https://x.com/adaptanita
Dennis Schreiber: https://bit.ly/4cSBERv
Disabled Americans Rally for Equality (DARE): https://bit.ly/3WeYaPb
ADAPT – American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit or American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today: https://bit.ly/3Wghrj5
Lighthouse for the Blind: https://bit.ly/4cCycLe
Wade Blank – founder of ADAPT: https://bit.ly/3W0DIjx
Atlantis Community: https://bit.ly/3WhHmac and https://bit.ly/3zytwat
When You Remember Me movie: https://bit.ly/4czY4Hs
We will ride! – The Gang of 19: https://bit.ly/4cz9b3D
We Were There, Too: Blacks in the Disability Movement (coming soon – for info, follow Anita’s website or social media)
Free Our People Micassa: https://bit.ly/3VWM4ca
Gwen Jackson – ADAPT: https://bit.ly/4cx7mUP
ADAPT history: https://bit.ly/3WhHmqI
Healthcare Policy and Finance and Colorado ADAPT relationship: https://bit.ly/4czFfV2
Find your local ADAPT group: https://bit.ly/3wT7NbW

In this unique episode of You First, hosts Maddie and Keith share a personal and insightful discussion about Long Covid and its effects on everyday life. Initially delayed due to Maddie's Long Covid flare-up, this episode takes a candid and casual approach to a serious topic, highlighting symptoms, the politicization of masking, and the ongoing pandemic. The conversation takes an unexpected yet comforting turn into the world of grilled cheese, exploring how this simple meal has served as a go-to comfort food during tough times. Tune in for both serious insights and light-hearted moments as the hosts navigate these intertwined subjects.

Relevant Links

Long COVID Basics (CDC)
Living with Long COVID (CDC)
Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA, Section 504, and Section 1557
Accommodating Employees with Covid-19 or Long Covid
Penn Medicine Launches Region’s First Post-COVID-19 Neurological Care Clinic
Long COVID-19: Symptoms and Stories
National Institutes of Health: Long COVID
MaskBloc.org: Masks For All
Florida-based Mask Bloc: SWAMP Central Florida
Grilled Mac & Cheese Recipe
POD Access Newsletter

Today's episode features disability and artificial intelligence (AI) experts Larry Weru, Ariana Aboulafia, and Jennifer Gray. AI has been around for years, but things changed when OpenAI released ChatGPT. Since then, the news around AI has increased a lot. AI is more than just a chatbot responder; it can be used in many different ways. We talk with the guests about how AI impacts people with disabilities in their healthcare, education, and employment. The guests provide both intriguing and alarming information about the implications for people with disabilities.

Relevant Links:

Larry Weru’s bio: https://bit.ly/3x6hCUt
Jennifer Gray’s bio: https://bit.ly/3KvALSQ
New Disabled South: https://bit.ly/3HzJsdg
Ariana Aboulafia’s bio: https://bit.ly/3KBv9X7
Center for Democracy & Technology: https://bit.ly/3RiYyJx
New Disabled South’s Study on the Benefits and Challenges of Autonomous Workplace Technology on Disability Rights and Labor Rights: https://bit.ly/4bLRA8a
Center for Democracy & Technology’s Project on Disability Rights in Technology Policy: https://bit.ly/458k7SV
Automating Ableism (article): https://bit.ly/45bJXW4
99% of Fortune 500 companies use AI (article): https://bit.ly/4bIOFx9
A racist soap dispenser? Critical Theory and the non-neutrality of society (article): https://bit.ly/4c1zkId

This podcast episode features Andrew Pulrang and Gregg Beratan, prominent figures in disability advocacy and social change. Their pioneering initiative, #CripTheVote, created alongside Alice Wong, has been important in raising awareness about the political power of disabled citizens and sparking meaningful conversations about disability, politics, and activism. Through their efforts, Pulrang and Beratan have used social media to foster a continuous online space that acts as a living archive for disability voting and civic engagement work. Our conversation also considers and discusses concerns and hesitancy around voting, especially for people with disabilities. We discuss the different approaches and why voting can be an effective way for people with disabilities to advocate for themselves.

Relevant Links

Follow Andrew Pulrang on Twitter: x.com/AndrewPulrang
Follow Gregg Beratan on Twitter: x.com/GreggBeratan
Disability Rights Florida Voting Resources: https://bit.ly/3UN9bp6
Access the Vote Florida: www.AccessTheVote.org
Rev Up Campaign through AAPD: www.AAPD.com/about-rev-up
Disability Victory: DisabilityVictory.org
Detroit Disability Power: DetroitDisabilityPower.org
New Disabled South: NewDisabledSouth.org

In this episode of You First, co-hosts Keith and Maddie speak with Indigenous activist and disability rights leader Vesper Moore about the Mad Movement, psychiatric survivorship, and envisioning a future of collective care. Vesper, deeply involved in mental health and disability rights activism, discusses their work in altering perceptions and legislation surrounding mental health both nationally and with international bodies. The conversation delves into the history of psychiatric survivor movements, the problematic nature of involuntary commitment, and the importance of community care over institutional care. Moore emphasizes the power of peer support and shares insights into the Kiva Centers, a peer respite group that offers an alternative to traditional psychiatric institutions. Furthermore, Vesper touches on their advocacy work against re-institutionalization and for more humane, community-focused approaches to mental health care, advocating for dialogue and solidarity within the disability rights movements. The episode concludes with a call for comprehensive community support systems and the significant role of peer-led initiatives in transforming mental health care.

Content Warning: This conversation includes instances of ableism, saneism, racism, involuntary incarceration, and mentions violence against BIPOC, disabled people, and houseless folks. Discretion is advised.

Relevant Links:

Vesper Moore’s website: https://bit.ly/4aG6VpE
Bethlem/Bedlem Hospital: https://bit.ly/49m8Bnp
Lunatics' Friend Society: https://bit.ly/4aGxzPu
Rusk State Hospital Revolt: https://bit.ly/43IIzcQ
Drapetomania (YouTube video): https://bit.ly/4aFSP7P
Hiawatha Insane Asylum: https://bit.ly/43IIENG
Taíno people: https://on.natgeo.com/49mEs7h
Kiva Centers: https://bit.ly/49mEvQv
CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets): https://bit.ly/43JA1Co
Bandelier National Monument Kivas: https://bit.ly/43HCWf1

In today's episode, we are joined by two international disability advocates, Rosangela Berman Bieler and Patricia Almeida. During our conversation, we discuss the importance and impact of global disability policy and rights work, including their work with the UN and UNICEF. They also discuss how other countries compare to the US regarding disability progress and inclusion, global accessibility initiatives, and the need for continued fighting for disability rights.

Relevant Links

Disabled People's International for the Latin American Council
The Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment (GADIM)
Shutterstock Collaboration with GADIM
Simple as This Easy language Guide by Patricia Almeida
Dom Evans & FilmDis
United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD)
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
UNICEF Programme Children with Disabilities
World Bank Disability
I Protect Myself
The Zero Project
Inter-American Institute on Disability and Inclusive Development
UN Down syndrome day
Brazilian Soap Opera “Pages of Life” and Cladine, actor with disability

In this week's episode, co-hosts Keith and Maddie talk with The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies' Co-Directors Shaylin Sluzalis & Germán Parodi. The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) is the only U.S. disability-led, 501(c)(3) organization that prioritizes equity, access, disability rights, disability justice, and full inclusion of people with disabilities, older adults, and people with access and functional needs before, during and after disasters and emergencies. We chat about how their work started, how Floridians with disabilities can stay safe during hurricanes, how other emergencies disproportionately impact disabled people, and resources to take precautions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and flu season.

Relevant resources:

The Partnership’s website: https://bit.ly/3uUvobE
Disaster hotline: https://bit.ly/48y9b0Y 800-626-4959 Hotline@disasterstrategies.org
Weekly stakeholder call and events: https://bit.ly/3ImOryI
The Partnership’s resources, including your rights during a disaster: https://bit.ly/49SXGCk
Local weather alerts: https://bit.ly/3wxqj9E
Having a plan & emergency kit list: https://bit.ly/3eTEXgh
Find your local emergency management office and resources: https://bit.ly/49WBGqg
Special Needs Registry Shelter: https://bit.ly/3IjgW07
Disability Information and Access Line: https://bit.ly/3Ij5dPd or by phone 888-677-1199
Find your local Center for Independent Living: https://bit.ly/48D0S3N
DRF vaccine clinics: https://bit.ly/3qVCve6
DRF vaccine assistance: https://bit.ly/3kAlqo2
Masking bloc – local support groups, free masks, guidance, etc.: https://bit.ly/3uWBSXz

In this episode of You First, we talk with Jen White Johnson (she/they), a renowned artist, educator, and disability activist who uses the arts as a medium to champion the life, joy, and experiences of the disabled and neurodivergent community. Jen discusses their journey as someone diagnosed with ADHD later in life, the barriers for disabled Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to getting a diagnosis, and the impact of their son being diagnosed with autism. They talk about the need for more disabled BIPOC representation in visual media, their efforts to bring disabled artists to the forefront, and how they work to deconstruct ableism in the classroom. Jen discusses their artwork that celebrates Disability Justice and celebrates Disability Joy through visual arts, digital design, zine-making, installations, and more.

Episode 62 Relevant links mentioned:

Jen’s website
Disrupt and Resist Exhibition
Critical Design Lab Disability Solidarity Statement
An Anthology of Blackness: The State of Black Design
Disability Justice Culture Club
Anti-Ableist Art Educator Manifesto
Homie House Press
Disability Visibility
Krip Hop Nation
Sins Invalid
Jen's Zine Workshops
Black Feminist Future Collective

Two Disability Rights Florida education advocates, April Katine and Daysi Ortiz, join Keith in education planning for students with disabilities. The three discuss the importance of individual education plans (IEPs) and transition planning and offer tips on how parents can more effectively find success throughout the process. Tune in to learn about the various services available under IEP, how to prepare for IEP meetings, the significance of periodic re-evaluations, the importance of maintaining written records, and how to best collaborate with your child's IEP team.

Relevant links:

Transition site
Education section of our website
Find your P&A (if out of state)
Florida Vocational Rehabilitation
Florida Agency for People with Disabilities
Florida Division of Blind Services
Family Network on Disabilities
The Family Cafe
Blogs on education
Previous podcast episodes

In this episode of You First, hosts Keith and Maddie discuss the impact of language on disability rights and inclusion with advocates Lawrence Carter-Long, Damian Gregory, and Laura-Lee Minutello. The conversation highlights the #SayTheWord disability campaign, personal experiences with disability-related language, government services, marketing, and legislation affecting the disability community. They discuss person-first versus identity-first language and how language influences societal perspectives and policy-making. They emphasize that people with disabilities are integral to society, and their considerations must be included in policy-making.

Relevant links:

Follow Lawrence Carter-Long
Follow Damian Gregory
Follow Laura-Lee Minutello
Article about the #SayTheWord disabled campaign
Disability Rights Florida blog: Disability is Not a Bad Word: Why ‘Unique Abilities’ Isn’t as Nice as it Sounds

In this bonus episode, You First Podcast host Maddie talks with 5 guests about various legal and medical precedents that have led to the division between the disability and LGBTQ+ communities. The history between the LGBTQ+ community and the disability community is often at odds with each other. Historically, LGBTQ+ identities were viewed as mental illnesses, and many within the LGBTQ+ community rightfully rejected this. However, debility and harm from LGBTQ+ oppression and discrimination leading to worse health outcomes can cause disability. In fact, despite trans and non-binary people being explicitly listed within the ADA as unable to qualify for ADA protections, developing legal precedent finds that gender dysphoria can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is much to unpack within these histories, and our guests will thoroughly explain how these communities have been pinned against each other. The guests will also speak to how these histories have led to the anti-LGBTQ+ and ableist legislation we are seeing today passed in Florida and across the country. We want to uplift the experiences of disabled & LGBTQ+ identifying people and discuss the often-unspoken history between these two communities as a way to regain power and comfort in these identities.

Full Webinar on YouTube

In this episode, guests Ashley Shew and Mallory Kay Nelson discuss the concept of technoableism, the history of disability and technology, and the importance of involving disabled people when developing new technologies. They highlight the challenges surrounding the definition of disability, the impact of assistive technology on people with disabilities, and the potential problems that may arise during its implementation, such as the pressure for disabled individuals to conform to an ableist standard. The episode also addresses accessibility, acceptance, and representation of disability in society, the media, and within disability communities.

Relevant links from the episode:

Ashley's book: Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement
Ashley's website
Mallory's website
Mallory's Patreon
Follow Ashley on social media: Twitter and Bluesky
Follow Mallory on social media: Instagram and Twitter

In this episode, co-hosts Maddie and Keith talk with Dr. Bill Bronston and Marlene Sallo about Willowbrook State School, its exposé, and its impact on the disability rights movement. The episode starts with our conversation with Dr. Bronston, a doctor who worked at Willowbrook and ultimately was vital in the lawsuit against New York State, ultimately officially closing the institution in 1987. He tells the insidious and harrowing story of abuse, violence, murder, and monetization of disabled folks warehoused at Willowbrook State School and what efforts he's currently involved in to advocate for healthcare for all and deinstitutionalization. Then, we hear from the National Disability Rights Network's Executive Director, Marlene Sallo, about the impact Willowbrook and the deinstitutionalization movement have had on the disability community and the ongoing fight for disability rights.

Content Warning: strong language, explicit mentions of violence against and death of disabled people, institutionalization, medical trauma, and eugenics.

The episode starts with Dr. Bill Bronston's interview, then we hear from Marlene Sallo starting at 1:28:10.

Relevant links:

Dr. Bronston's Book: Public Hostage Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America
Geraldo Rivera's 1972 expose of Willowbrook State School
CA Physicians for National Health Program
OurHealth.pub
National Disability Rights Network website

You First podcast co-hosts Keith and Maddie are joined by disability activists and legal scholars AJ Link, Jalyn Radziminski, and Haley Moss, who identify as neurodiverse and disabled. They shared their personal stories and insights about their experiences with law school, advocacy, careers, and more. The guests discussed how their unique perspectives benefit and challenge them in their work and highlighted areas of accessibility and inclusion that professionals and educators in the field may not be considering. They also offered advice to young, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals who may be interested in pursuing similar professions.

Coelho Center for Disability Law
National Disabled Law Students Association and the National Disabled Legal Professionals Association
Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals
National HBCU Pre-Law Conference

In this episode of You First, we chat with our friend Beck DeTrempe who is doing some awesome peer led community building in Florida. They founded Basically Wonderful, which is a grassroots organization run by Queer + Disabled folks in Orlando, Florida, USA. Their mission reads: Our hope is to create peer-led spaces for marginalized communities where folks are free to express themselves and build friendships with peers who have similar lived experiences. We are creating intentional spaces for both Disabled & LGBTQIA+ folks to commune and thrive in identity-driven spaces. We have a great conversation about the programming they offer, such as community spaces, book clubs, arts events, media clubs, and much more. We also discuss how they center Disability Justice, accessibility, accountability, and inclusion to provide community spaces that are inviting for all.

With one of their favorite holidays just around the corner, co-hosts Maddie and Keith delve into a serious discussion on using disability as a tool for instilling fear in others, all in the name of Halloween fun. From dressing up in offensive costumes to visiting eerie museums and reopened haunted institutions, the hosts explore how disability history and the disabled community have been intentionally disregarded in favor of a cheap thrill.

Content warning: Mentions of violence against people with disabilities and BIPOC people, including colonialism, institutionalization, eugenics, incarceration, and slavery.

References in episode:

Ugly Laws
History of Willowbrook State School
Article in Disability Visibility about the Mütter Museum
Florida Farm Colony Institution
Pennhurst Haunted Asylum
History of zombies
History of the term spooky
Article with Annie Elainey's experience with Halloween

On today's episode, we chat with the co-hosts of The Accessible Stall podcast, Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian! These two disabled podcasting stars were some of the first podcasters with disabilities when they got their start in 2016. They are both strong advocates for disability, accessibility, and the power of story-telling. They join Keith and Maddie to discuss why they began podcasting, what accessibility considerations they make when producing a podcast, and much more.

About the guests and their podcast: The Accessible Stall is a disability podcast hosted by Kyle Khachadurian and Emily Ladau that keeps it real about issues within the disability community. Because we each have different disabilities and mobility levels, we approach everything we talk about with two unique viewpoints, offering our listeners a fresh insight into how differences in disability can color your experiences and perspectives. And we never shy away from offering our honest opinions. Even if they go against the grain of the disability community at large, we always speak our minds.

As we head back to school in a few weeks, we wanted to highlight our new Transition Toolkit. Transition is a term to describe when youth are moving into a new phase of life. Think about big transitioning moments in your life growing up: going to middle school, trying to get a job, or being able to vote. The Transition Toolkit has timely, helpful information regarding education plans, like IEPs or 504s, and things like self-advocacy, assistive technology, driver's licenses, and much more. It is accessible, easy to read, and offers youth and their supporters the information needed to plan for a successful future.

Resources:

Online Toolkit: Transition.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org
Our Education Resources
Sign up for Ann's upcoming presentation about the Transition Toolkit on August 18, 2023

Guest Dr. Anita Marshall joins hosts Keith and Maddie to talk about her work to make STEM more accessible for students with disabilities. As someone who acquired a disability later in life, she realized how ableist and inaccessible higher education really was. Anita created the first-ever disability-accessible planetary geoscience field course and mentoring program, GeoSPACE, and is the Executive Director of The International Association for Geoscience Diversity. We discuss collective disability knowledge, debunk myths about academia, and gush about our love for universal accessibility. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Show Notes and Resources:

Dr. Anita Marshall's Website
GeoSPACE Program
The International Association for Geoscience Diversity

A little over one year ago, Florida decided to stop participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) voluntary Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Since 1991, Florida participated in the YRBS. It is widely given to youth across the United States to assess their well-being regarding to mental health, teen dating violence, bullying, drugs, eating and exercise habits, and sexual activity. This survey has been critical lately to monitor the rise in anxiety, depression, and suicide among teens since 2020. In addition to risk taking behaviors, the survey assesses how youth of marginalized identities are doing while living in florida. With Florida no longer participating, people are concerned about what metrics will exist to track youth and teen safety trends.

After discontinuing involvement, Florida created its own survey: the Florida Specific Youth Survey (FSYS). This survey focuses on 'student resiliency standards' and has little to no questions about sexual, mental, and relationship health.

Host Keith Casebonne talks with DRF staff and leadership from Equality Florida & Florida Policy Institute about the impact of Florida leaving the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. These three guests discuss their deep concerns about the survey and real repercussions on marginalized youth, including people with disabilities, people of color, LGBTQ youth, and more.

Show Notes & Resources:

Equality Florida's website
Florida Policy Institute's website

In honor of Pride Month, upcoming Disability Pride Month, and the opportunity to always highlight cool disabled people, let’s talk about Frida Kahlo.

Many are aware of the legendary artist, Frida Kahlo: her famous artwork, impact on culture, and iconic appearance. But many people do not know that she was a bisexual disabled woman with physical disabilities due to polio and an automobile accident. Her disabilities made a lasting impact on her art, heavily influencing what, who, and how she painted.

Show Notes & Resources:

FridaKahlo.org
Our Blog Frida Kahlo’s 6 Disability Themed Paintings
Respectability’s article on Frida Kahlo: Frida Kahlo, Role Model for Artists, People with Disabilities and Bisexual Women
Annie Elainey’s YouTube video ‘Why You Should Love Frida Kahlo’

Guest Jen Deerinwater joins host Maddie Crowley to talk about the intersection of disability and Indigenous identities. Jen is a disabled Two Spirit Indigenous individual who is an award-winning journalist, organizer, and leader within the disability, Indigenous and environmental justice movements. During the conversation, they discuss paving the way to create a native media organization, combatting ableism and invisibility, and highlighting upcoming opportunities and new resources developing for disabled Native folks.

Additional Resources:

Jen Deerinwater’s website: JDeerinwater.com
Jen’s writing and journalism: JDeerinwater.com/media
The Native American Protection and Advocacy organization: NativeDisabilityLaw.org
Crushing Colonialism's website: CrushingColonialism.org
Intertribal Disability Advocacy Council (IDAC): bit.ly/43HwGm5
IDAC Listening Sessions: To be announced!
Indian Health Service: theIHS.org
Native American LifeLines, Inc.: NativeAmericanLifelines.org
Our Native American Resource page: bit.ly/3ZMbJEs

Native disabled folks mentioned in podcast to follow:

Johnnie Jae
Sarah A. Young Bear-Brown
Jules Edwards
Sharon DaVanPort
Hector Ramirez
Hoskie Benally
Kera Sherwood-O’Reagan
John Gilroy

June 1st is the beginning of hurricane season. As Floridians know, it can be a mixed bag as to what storms we’re going to get. But hurricanes impact other states around the country, and it’s important to be prepared and safe. On the show today we’re talking with our coworker, Bryan Russell, who is the Emergency Management Coordinator at Disability Rights Florida. And, while it might be hurricane season, people in Florida and individuals across the country experience severe weather and natural disasters all year round. Bryan will talk about the best safety practices that can and should be considered year-round so we can always be prepared.

Visit our Disaster and Emergency Planning pages for more information and to find links referenced in the episode

With our lives and world becoming more connected and reliant on the internet, what does that mean for people with disabilities? The internet can be a great way for disabled folks to connect, especially as access barriers and safety considerations keep our community apart. But, what if that online space wasn't accessible to the very folks that need it most?

We're here to help you change that. We co-authored a blog on this back in November 2022, but we think this information is important to share everywhere because online accessibility is still such a huge issue. We all have a responsibility to be more conscientious, considerate, and inclusive online. In this episode, we will talk about some best online accessibility practices to help you make your content more accessible for folks with disabilities.

Additional Resources:

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview
Introduction to Web Accessibility
Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE)
Color Contrast Analyzer
Hemingway Editor
Readability Tests
Rooted in Rights Accessibility Basics
Our blog 15 Best Online Accessibility Practices

Welcome to Part 2 of a conversation with Heather Watkins and Dom Evans about marriage inequity, disabled relationships in the media, and disabled parenting!

Please check out our show notes from part 1 for more background information and relevant links mentioned in the episode.

In February, we created a blog post on disability marriage inequality. We knew people would be interested in the topic, but were taken aback by the immense engagement and shock felt by our audience. Because of that, we wanted to create a podcast episode talking with disabled folks about disability marriage inequality, parenting, and more.

On the show today we have two fantastic guests, Heather Watkins and Dom Evans. Heather Watkins (she/her) is a disability advocate, author, blogger, mother, and graduate of Emerson College with a B.S. in Mass Communications. Born with Muscular Dystrophy, loves reading, daydreaming, chocolate, and serves on a handful of disability-related boards. Her blog Slow Walkers See More includes reflections and insight from her life with disability. Dom Evans (they/he) is a director/writer, activist, Twitch streamer, and consultant with a BFA in Film. He fights for inclusion in media, marriage equality, gaming, and reproductive rights. Dom founded #FilmDis, to better understand Disability in media. He works in Hollywood to make the industry more inclusive to disabled people.

Needless to say, these two advocates are the guests to have for this podcast. We were thrilled to have them on and have such an engaging and insightful conversation in store for you. We hope you enjoy part one of our conversation with Heather and Dom!

Relevant links:

Heather's website
Dom's website
Disability Representation on Television: Examining 250 TV Shows

On March 4th, 2023, the world was shaken by the passing of the legendary disability rights activist and leader Judith (Judy) Heumann. She is considered “The Mother of the Disability Rights Movement” and is frankly a badass. Judy was essential to disability rights advocacy and progress. It is because of her advocacy that our organization can do the work we do today. We are indebted to her and her work, and we will continue her fight for disability rights in her honor.

To honor her, we wanted to record a special tribute about Judy, her advocacy, and the long-lasting impact that her presence will have on the disability community and the world.

Relevant links and topics mentioned in the episode:

Crip Camp & Camp Jened
Heumann v Board of Ed of the City of New York
Disabled in Action
Rehabilitation Act Protests in NYC
Berkeley Center for Independent Living
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
504 Sit in
World Institute on Disability
Judy's memoir “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist”
Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution
Movie adaption of "Being Heumann" is under development, with Ali Stroker
Heumann Perspective podcast
Recording of her services

Medicaid Unwinding in Florida starts on April 1, 2023. With information coming from various Florida agencies and organizations, it can be hard to get clear information about what is happening with Medicaid eligibility. The Medicaid Unwinding process can feel overwhelming, but we hope our show today will provide you with important clarifying information you need to be ready and prepared for the process.

In this bonus episode, we talk with our co-worker from the Public Policy team, Laura Minutello, who will provide information and resources about Medicaid Unwinding.

In this episode of You First, we chat with Alan Herbert, a Kenyan journalist, social inclusion advocate, and behavior change communications professional. He brings on a wealth of experience in inclusive media practices, leadership, and advocacy. Alan currently serves as a prime-time TV host at Signs TV Kenya and is a founding member and Chief Executive Officer of Black Albinism, Kenya.

Alan is also an inclusive communications consultant who has worked with organizations to develop inclusive employment learning modules. He has also worked on a documentary about the Kenyan government’s plan and commitments to the disability community at the inaugural Global Disability Summit.

We connected with Alan last year when he was in the states for his disability fellowship program and we’ve stayed connected ever since. We’re excited to share the interview, and we hope you enjoy it!

Our first episode of the new year focuses on our legislative priorities for 2023. Florida's legislative session starts in March, and Disability Rights Florida has been following the conversations around what bills and topics will be featured. Many of these issues can greatly impact the disability community in Florida. That's why we're here to give you the inside scoop on what we have on our radar this session.

We spoke to our friend and coworker, DRF Public Policy Analyst Caitlyn Clibbon. She is one of our staff members who is closely watching what's happening with the Florida legislative session and considering the impact these laws will have on people with disabilities. Caitlyn offers some insight into what topics we, as an organization, are focusing on and keeping a close watch on.

Let's talk about Accessible In-Person Voting in the sixth and final episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

It’s almost Election Day - and you have the right to vote in person with accessible options. On this episode of "Your Voice, Your Vote!" we’re grateful to have Sarah Goldman, the Director of Administration and Youth Initiatives at the Florida Independent Living Council, and Alex Mosca, a Public Information Specialist at the Leon County Supervisor of Elections office. Tune in to learn about your in-person voting rights, the guests’ experiences with in-person voting, and how we can all continue to make voting more accessible and inclusive for all voters.

Let's talk about Running for Office with a Disability in the fifth episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

On today’s episode, we’re excited to have guests Sarah Blahovec, Olivia Babis, Karolyn Campbell, and Sabrina Cohen. These four individuals have run for office as folks with disabilities, advocated for inclusive campaigning strategies, and educated potential disabled candidates about how to run for office effectively. The conversation illuminates barriers to civic engagement and political disabled representation that you may not realize.

Links:

Elevate: Campaign Training for People with Disabilities
The A-Z of Effective, Inclusive Campaigns

Let's talk about Understanding the Disability Vote in the fourth episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

In this two-part episode, we talk about the disability community, their access to voting, what barriers are up against the disability community’s civic involvement, what trends we see in disabled voters, and what efforts are being made to make elections more accessible for all. First, you will hear from guests Lisa Schur and Doug Kruse from Rutgers University who do disability voting research. After that, you will get insight from Commissioner Tom Hicks from the Elections Assistance Commission.

Links mentioned during the episode:

Rutgers Program for Disability Research
- Doug Kruse's email address
- Lisa Schur's email address
EAC email address to request copies of their pocket guide for voters with disabilities

Let's talk about Voting and Intersectionality in the third episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

In this episode, we talk to Jazlyn Gallego from Vote Riders about intersectionality and how marginalized voters are impacted in the election process. Jazlyn is Voter Riders’ Florida State Outreach Director and Florida Voter ID Coalition Coordinator. She talks about how inaccessible voting practices impact all voters, and she shares helpful information about Voter ID requirements and election resources.

Let's talk about Accessible Vote by Mail in the second episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

In this episode, we talk with Doug Hall and Marsha Bukala, two Floridians with disabilities who have fought for and now utilize Accessible Vote by Mail. They discuss the history of accessible elections in Florida, how they advocated for accessible voting options, and what insights they have about casting a ballot as a voter with a disability.

Let’s talk about disability voting laws in the first episode of our new series: "Your Voice, Your Vote"!

In today's episode, we talk with Michelle Bishop, the National Disability Rights Network’s Voter Access and Engagement Manager. She has extensive academic and embodied knowledge about laws protecting disabled voters, voting accessibility, barriers set up against disabled voters, and where the current state of voting is for the disability community.

As we approach the 2022 Elections, we want to focus in on all things disability and voting. The disability community makes up a fourth of the population, making it a very powerful voting block! Even though this is a huge voting group, there are many structural and interpersonal barriers set up against them. These issues disincentive disabled voters from exercising their civil right to vote.

Despite these barriers, historically, the disability community has been incredibly resilient and fierce voting advocates. We talk with advocates who have made accessible voting possible in Florida, organizations that fight for the disability community and other marginalized communities’ access to vote, and folks who study the impact of the disability vote.

Please join us on September 22nd for our first episode, then each Thursday after that for five more great episodes.

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we’ve seen huge repercussions for people’s safety, health, access to medical care, and more. And we know that the overruling impacts people differently, depending on who you are. If you have marginalized identities, you experience more barriers to health care and, therefore, more barriers to accessing abortion and other reproductive-related health care.

To dive deep into how the overturning affects one marginalized community--the disability community--we invited four disabled activists on the You First podcast to discuss how this ruling affects them, the disability community as a whole, and other marginalized groups, especially in ways that you may not have ever considered. It’s important to bring an intersectional lens to these conversations in order to fully grasp what the repercussions look like after a ruling like this. We talked with Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, Rebecca Cokley, Keith Jones, and Heather Watkins about what this ruling means to and for the disability community.

Please note that this conversation discusses heavy themes and references systems of oppression such as racism and ableism, infanticide, abortion, and forced sterilization. Listen or read the transcript at your pace and always feel free to pause and take time for breaks.

Links:

Morénike Giwa Onaiwu

https://morenikego.com/
https://twitter.com/morenikego

Keith Jones

http://dasoultoucha.com/About/
https://twitter.com/dasoultoucha

Heather Watkins

https://slowwalkersseemore.com/
https://twitter.com/hwatkins927

Rebecca Cokley

https://rebecca-cokley.medium.com/
https://twitter.com/rebeccacokley

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we’ve seen huge repercussions for people’s safety, health, access to medical care, and more. And we know that the overruling impacts people differently, depending on who you are. If you have marginalized identities, you experience more barriers to health care and, therefore, more barriers to accessing abortion and other reproductive-related health care.

To dive deep into how the overturning affects one marginalized community--the disability community--we invited four disabled activists on the You First podcast to discuss how this ruling affects them, the disability community as a whole, and other marginalized groups, especially in ways that you may not have ever considered. It’s important to bring an intersectional lens to these conversations in order to fully grasp what the repercussions look like after a ruling like this. We talked with Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, Rebecca Cokley, Keith Jones, and Heather Watkins about what this ruling means to and for the disability community.

Please note that this conversation discusses heavy themes and references systems of oppression such as racism and ableism, infanticide, abortion, and forced sterilization. Listen or read the transcript at your pace and always feel free to pause and take time for breaks.

Links:

Morénike Giwa Onaiwu

https://morenikego.com/
https://twitter.com/morenikego

Keith Jones

http://dasoultoucha.com/About/
https://twitter.com/dasoultoucha

Heather Watkins

https://slowwalkersseemore.com/
https://twitter.com/hwatkins927

Rebecca Cokley

https://rebecca-cokley.medium.com/
https://twitter.com/rebeccacokley

Today on the podcast we have guest Neil Romano, a member and former chair of the National Council on Disabilities where he is serving his second three-year term. A former Communications Director at the White House, Neil was nominated by President George W. Bush to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy where he developed a series of outreach programs to help Americans and businesses understand the value of people with disabilities in the workplace. He also served as a member of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, the United States Access Board and the Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled. We're thrilled to have Neil on today, and we will talk about employment for people with disabilities and the barriers, options, and hopes of employees with disabilities.

Before we get started, we want to review a few important terms relevant to this podcast:

Sheltered workshop work centers: A segregated place where only people with disabilities work. People that work in sheltered workshops make less money than the minimum wage. (Source: Autistic Self Advocacy Network)
FLSA 14c: FLSA stands for Fair Labor Standards Act. Section 14c of this law allows employers to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage. (Source: The Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination)
Supported employment: Support provided to individuals with disabilities before and during a job. Resources such as job coaching, accommodations, job training, and support keeping a job are all examples of supported employment. (Source: CIL workforce glossary)
Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE): People with disabilities have the same right as people without disabilities to work at a job that pays them minimum wage or more, in a place that has people with and without disabilities working together and provides chances to get raises and promotions. (Source: Disability Rights California)
Adult Day Training programs: Programs that provide adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities with activities that will support them in all parts of their lives. Example activities could include computer skills trainings, art classes, recreational activities, interpersonal skills, and more. (Source: The ARC of St. Johns)
Transition planning: Transition planning is a process to help students with disabilities decide what they want to do after high school. The purpose is to help teens prepare to be independent young adults. (Source: Disability Rights Florida)

Links

National Council on Disability website featuring Neil Romano's bio
National Council on Disability website
Employment Disability Topic on Disability Rights Florida website
Videos on Competitive Integrated Employment
- What is Competitive Integrated Employment? (English)
- What is Competitive Integrated Employment? (English & ASL)
- Qué es Empleo Integrado Competitivo? (Español)

The sixth and final episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about Research. We are excited to have Rua Mae Williams on the podcast to talk about accessible research. They are an academic researcher who studies how technology design, computing research practices, and Disability Justice interact.

They touch on a variety of concepts like: how to do accessible and inclusive outreach to communities of study, how we can offer other data collection options so people can fully and authentically participate, and how we can see the future of research in a different light.

Links:

Rua Mae Williams' website

The fifth episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about Video Gaming.

We chat with James Rath, a legally blind film director, accessibility advocate, and speaker. In his accessibility efforts, he provides video game and console accessibility reviews, acts as an accessibility consultant for video game companies, and drives the future of gaming in a positive direction.

In this episode, we talk all about accessible gaming, where accessible gaming was "back in the day" with the first consoles, where it is now, and the future of accessible gaming.

Links:

Can I Play That?
James Rath's YouTube Channel
James Rath's website

The fourth episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about Recreation.

Today we have two guests on the podcast to talk about various aspects of recreation, and how we can make recreation more accessible for all, including people with disabilities.

First, we talk with Ashley Richmond from Help Us Gather, or HUG for short, about their organization, beach accessibility, and how to make recreational events accessible.

Then we chat with Stacy Busch from No Divide KC, an arts and music organization in Kansas City that strives to make all of its events and performances accessible and inclusive, no matter who you are.

Links

Help Us Gather: Accessible Beaches
Help Us Gather: Mobility Mats
We Include
No Divide KC
Stacy Busch

The third episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about Fashion.

We’ve all struggled to find clothes that fit well, we feel good in, or are just right for the occasion we are going to. However, these are everyday struggles when you’re an individual with a disability.

Our guest for this episode is Kathy D Woods. She is the first African American little person to create a clothing line designed by and for little people. She’s leading the way in accessible fashion and pushing the fashion industry to be more inclusive.

Links:

Kathy D Woods fashion line website

The second episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about City Planning.

We interviewed Nora Libertun, a global leading expert on urban planning and design, sustainability, and social inclusion. Her work revolves around making everything in a city more accessible, including the layout, transportation, and recreation. She spoke about how cities need to be designed for everyone to utilize, especially people with disabilities.

Links:

Nora's book, "Cities as Spaces for Opportunities for All: Building Public Spaces for People with Disabilities, Children and Elders"
Nora's Blogs:
- How to Plan Accessible Cities?
- What does it mean to design an inclusive city?

Welcome to the first episode of "Accessibility Outside the Box!" Today we talk about Travel and Vacationing.

We spoke to Olivia Shivas and Rebecca Dubber to learn more about this topic. They host a great podcast called What’s Wrong With You? where they recorded an episode during a trip they took, recounting all the challenges they faced along the way. They shared with us what they learned about accessible travel and vacationing.

Links:

What's Wrong With You? Podcast

We are happy to announce our new six-episode series we call, “Accessibility Outside the Box!” Most of us are aware by now of what it means for something to be accessible: a ramp into a building for a person who uses a wheelchair, or a website that works for people who are blind and use screen reading software. This series is all about some aspects of accessibility you might not be aware of, but regardless often affect the daily activities of many people with disabilities. Without proper accessibility in place, lots of folks are left out of things like buying fashionable clothes, playing video games, going to concerts, taking a trip, or even participating in a research study.

Each week we’ll speak with an expert that can help us understand these issues. The first full episode drops on May 5th!

We’ll be back in April with new episodes. But until then we’re releasing encore presentations of several early episodes that matter just as much today as they did when they were originally recorded. This month, we bring you our 14th episode, Accessibility in Florida Prisons. This episode was originally released on November 21, 2017, when Disability Rights Florida was suing the Florida Department of Corrections over an enforcement of a settlement agreement signed in summer of that year. That settlement agreement was intended to ensure that individuals with disabilities in prisons were having their rights vindicated under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but over the years, we learned that many of these provisions were not being enforced, which led to the lawsuit.

Since that time, the two parties have settled with stronger language and oversight, but the struggle for the rights of individuals with disabilities in prisons continues. The prison population not only has a larger proportion of individuals with disabilities than the general population, but, in Florida especially, it is rapidly aging, making the ADA in prisons more important than ever in this State. As we continue our work in this area, please enjoy this encore episode of You First.

Links

Original Presentation of Episode 14: Accessibility in Florida Prisons
News Room: Disability Rights Florida Settles Landmark Lawsuit Against Florida Department of Corrections for Systemic Violations of Disability Laws
News Room: Disability Rights Florida Sues Florida Department of Corrections for Breach of Settlement Agreement Protecting Incarcerated People with Physical Disabilities
News Room: Disability Rights Florida Reaches Settlement with Florida Department of Corrections Requiring Systemic Reforms to Treatment of Incarcerated People with Disabilities

We’ll be back in April with new episodes. But until then we’re releasing encore presentations of several early episodes that matter just as much today as they did when they were originally recorded. This month we bring you “The Right to Recovery.” This episode was originally released on February 21, 2017. Since then, we’ve done two more episodes on related topics: episode 10 on Peer Support and episode 29 on Clubhouses. Links to those are below, but for now please enjoy this encore episode of You First. Links

Original Presentation of Episode 7: The Right to Recovery
Episode 10: Peer Support
Episode 29: Creating Community with Clubhouses

We’ll be back with new episodes in April, so until then we’ll be releasing encore presentations of several early episodes that still ring true today.

This month, we present our fifth episode, titled Supported Decision-Making. This episode was originally published on December 15, 2016, and supported decision-making, or SDM for short, is now going strong in Florida and many other parts of the US. Our guest for this episode, Michael Lincoln-McCreight, is currently the co-chair of the SDM4FL Coalition (and you can hear more from him in Episode 24: SDM4FL in 2021).

As always, more work needs to be done to make SDM the preferred option in Florida over more restrictive options such as guardianship. Michael and others are currently working to formalize SDM into Florida law, so please enjoy this encore episode of You First.

Links

Original Presentation of Episode 5: Supported Decision-Making
Episode 24: SDM4FL: Supported Decision-Making in 2021
SDM4FL Coalition Website
Disability Rights Florida Supported Decision-Making Disability Topic

In this episode, Jordan Kuveke-Guyton, a Veteran’s Affairs Accredited Attorney with Chad Barr Law, and Ann Siegel, the Legal Director at Disability Rights Florida, discuss options available to veterans with disabilities, many of which you might not be aware of. Not only are there benefits and discounts veterans can qualify for, but there are a number of services and rights protections that can provide veterans with a successful transition to civilian life.

Links:

ProtectingVets.com
Find Your State's P&A

In this episode of You First, we talk to Angela Muir Van Etten. Angela just published her third book, Always an Advocate, which is full of both practical advocacy advice and many interesting stories. There will always be a need for advocates and, Always an Advocate offers hope for those who are skeptical about changing the discriminatory treatment of people with disabilities.

Links:

Angela's books on Amazon.com
Angela's website and blog

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In this episode of the You First podcast, we wanted to bring some awareness to a group right here in Florida that created some amazing resources to help people with disabilities find and keep quality employment.

To talk much more about that are my guests: Danielle McGill, the founder of Empower Possibilities and a disability consultant, advocate, and public speaker; and Wendy Vance, an Advocate-Investigator at Disability Rights Florida.

Resources:

A copy of the white paper will be posted soon on the Employment First Florida website.
The presentation, Looking Beyond the Pandemic: Ways to Facilitate Growth and Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Seeking or Retaining Employment, will be posted soon on the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities website.

In Episode 23 of the You First podcast, we talked about the representation of people with disabilities in the media, how that has evolved over the years, improving in some ways, but more often still faltering with poor and inaccurate portrayals of people with disabilities in popular media. A great point that was brought up was one of the best ways to combat these issues was for people with disabilities to create their own content, to control the narrative, and help to create platforms where their stories, in their words, can be shared.

My guests today, Elizabeth Wright and Jennifer Price, are doing just that!

Elizabeth is a writer, activist, keynote and TEDx speaker, and an Australian Paralympic Medalist. She is also the founder and editor of Conscious Being Magazine, a publication for disabled women by disabled women, and the editor of Disability Review Magazine.

Jennifer is a special education and disability rights attorney, and author of EmpowerEd: Using Real Case Examples to Look Deeper into IEP Management. She is also the founder and CEO of Disability News Report, a TV streaming service that features content created by and for people with disabilities.

EmpowerEd: Using Real Case Examples to Look Deeper into IEP Management

When you hear the word “clubhouse,” what do you think of? For somewhere between 500,000 and 1 million people with mental illness, they think of a clubhouse as a place to gather regularly to reduce isolation, gain important skills and resources, and is an integral part of recovery.

My three guests today will tell us more. They are Debra Webb, Executive Director of the Key Clubhouse of South Florida; Amy McClellan, President of the Board of Directors of the Key Clubhouse; and Alexander Lasa, a long-time member of the Key Clubhouse.

Resources:

Key Clubhouse of South Florida
Clubhouse International

In this episode of You First, we talk to Annie Segarra, James Rath, and Rikki Poynter. They discuss the accessibility obstacles they encounter, recount the joys and challenges of sharing vulnerable stories on the internet, and share what disability pride means to them.

Links:

Annie Segarra's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/theannieelainey
James Rath's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/jamesrath
Rikki Poynter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rikkipoynter

In this episode of You First, we talk to Disability Rights Florida's Tony DePalma and Olivia Babis to discuss the 2021 Florida Legislative Session. Olivia and Tony review a number of important bills that were presented to the legislature, challenges we faced related to the pandemic, and what did and did not pass this session.

NOTE: at the time of recording this episode, Governor Ron DeSantis had not signed or vetoed some of the items discussed. Visit our 2021 Florida Legislative Outcomes blog post for an updated list of all legislation that passed and was signed by the governor.

In this episode of You First, we look at COVID-19 through the lens of mental health. Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) was identified years before the pandemic, along with great strategies to reduce the chances that someone in intensive care would develop complications related to it. But COVID-19 has changed that, as ICUs became overcrowded and staff overtaxed.

Our guest is Dr. Megan Hosey from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Megan explains what PICS is, how the pandemic has affected its prevalence, and what new strategies are being developed to deal with it.

Resources:

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)
Disability Rights Florida COVID-19 Resources
POPPI Study
Five Wishes
The Conversation Project
After the ICU (THRIVE)

In this episode of You First, let's talk about saving the planet! We can fight climate change by eliminating all single-use plastics and walking to get where you need to go – that will save us all! But will it? Or does thinking like that make you an eco-ableist by not considering the needs of people with disabilities?

Our first guest is Elizabeth Wright, a writer, activist, keynote and TEDx speaker, and an Australian Paralympic Medalist. She is also the founder and editor of Conscious Being, a publication for disabled women by disabled women, and the editor of Disability Review Magazine. Liz gives us a global perspective on disability and climate change, and explains why people with disabilities need a seat at the table to help us think more creatively when planning how to combat it.

Our second guest is writer and activist Syren Nagakyrie. They are the founder and director of Disabled Hikers, which advocates for accessibility and inclusion in the outdoors. Syren explains why the outdoors are not always as accessible as you might think and how they are working to change that for people with disabilities.

Links from the episode:

Climate Change, Disability, and Eco-Ableism: why we need to be inclusive to save the planet
Elizabeth Wright's website
Conscious Being
Sustained Ability
Disabled Hikers
Disaster and Emergency Planning

In the fifth episode of the You First podcast, we heard from Michael Lincoln-McCreight about something new in Florida called Supported Decision-Making (SDM). Much has changed with SDM and Mike in the four years since then, and he's back to give us some updates. We also talk to Viviana Bonilla López and Tyler Burns. Viviana is an attorney at Disability Rights Florida who coordinates the SDM project and co-chairs the SDM4FL Coalition with Mike. And Tyler is a client of Viviana who is signing his SDM agreement within days of this recording.

Relevant Links:

SDM4FL Coalition Website
Disability Rights Florida Supported Decision-Making Disability Topic

Our guests on this episode of You First are Beth Haller and Jeff Preston, both of whom are university professors, authors, and experts on disability in the media. They discuss what's been done right and wrong with the portrayal of people with disabilities in film and TV, the impact of streaming platforms on the movement, and why Sia's new movie, "Music," is a disaster.

Referenced in the episode:

Routledge Companion to Disability and Media
Representing Disability in an Ableist World: Essays on Mass Media
The Fantasy of Disability: Images of Loss in Popular Culture
Disability and Social Media: Global Perspectives
Salon: Sia's directorial debut "Music" is a baffling and patronizing cringefest of ableist minstrelsy
LISTEN: Film by CommunicationFIRST
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

News:

We are now on Feedspot's Top 15 Disability Podcasts to Follow in 2021!

I have experienced weight stigma throughout my life, but had never heard the term or understood exactly how it affected me. After speaking to Shira Collings, I know much more about weight stigma: what it is, where it comes from, and how it can affect mental health. Listen to learn more, and register for our upcoming free webinar on weight stigma.

Resources:

Food Psych podcast
Body Respect book
The Fck-It Diet* book/podcast

Also, Feedspot added You First to their list of Top 10 Social Security Disability Podcasts! Check out their list for other great podcasts.

In this fun episode of You First, we talk to Marika Devin, owner of the Clumsy Girl Travels blog. Marika discusses her experiences traveling with a hidden disability, offers practical travel advice to others, and tells us about the time she ate a lamb's head in Iceland.

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted assistive technology (AT) access and training, especially for students with disabilities. In this episode of You First, we talk to Ana Nevares of FAAST and Gerry Altamirano of the University of Florida to learn more about the benefits of AT for students with disabilities, how COVID-19 has impacted AT, and what students and parents can do to overcome it.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and to recognize that, this episode of You First is all about barriers to employment. Disability Rights Florida advocates Wendy Vance, Victor Panoff, Howard Bell, and Allison Klein explore numerous barriers to employment, beginning with school-age issues all the way to challenges in the workplace, and how they can each be overcome.

In this special episode of You First, we recognize the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Disability Rights Florida staff members Barb Page, Juli Pack, Curtis Filaroski, Ann Robinson, Andrea Jenkins, and Olivia Babis discuss the impact the ADA has had on them, how things might be different without the ADA, and what still needs to be accomplished even 30 years later.

In the second part of this episode of You First, we conclude our conversation with Disability Rights Florida's Olivia Babis and Tony DePalma as they discuss the 2019 Florida Legislative Session. Olivia and Tony explore several key bills that were presented to the legislature, the outcome of those bills, and their impact on Floridians with disabilities.

For more information about the 2019 Legislative Session, visit www.disabilityrightsflorida.org/legislation.

In this episode of You First, we talk to Disability Rights Florida's Olivia Babis and Tony DePalma to discuss the 2019 Florida Legislative Session. Olivia and Tony explore several key bills that were presented to the legislature, the outcome of those bills, and their impact on Floridians with disabilities.

For more information about the 2019 Legislative Session, visit www.disabilityrightsflorida.org/legislation.

In this episode of You First, our panel discusses the ins and outs of transitioning from one facility to another. First, we hear from Deborah Linton, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Florida, who provides an overview of the process and gives us some helpful resources. Next, Bonnie Carr, who, with her daughter Sara, went through the process of transitioning from one facility to another, tells us her story. Last, Kathy Clinton, who, with her son Tristan, also experienced the process of transitioning to a new facility, shares her story with us.

Provider Search websites referenced in the podcast:

Waiver Providers: https://flddresources.qlarant.com/ProviderSearch.aspx
ICF/DD Providers: http://www.floridahealthfinder.gov/facilitylocator/ListFacilities.aspx

In this episode of You First, we talk to Disability Rights Florida staff members Nately Alvarezand Lauren Eversole. Nately and Lauren explain what Extended School Year (ESY) is, who is eligible, and strategies to help parents of children in Special Education acquire appropriate ESY services.

In this episode of You First, we talk to David Boyer, Director of Investigations at Disability Rights Florida, and Molly Paris, Assistant Director at Florida Lawyers Assistance. David and Molly discuss how prisoners with disabilities were not receiving the same access to programs and services that other prisoners were receiving, and what Disability Rights Florida did to remedy those oversights.

In this episode of You First, we talk to Barb Page and Lisa Kinser, two Senior Advocates at Disability Rights Florida that provide assistance for clients with service animal issues. Lisa and Barb discuss the different types of assistance a service animal can provide, what the laws are regarding housing and places of business, and taking your service animal on airlines and other forms of public transportation.

In this episode of You First, we talk to Selina O'Shannon and Nately Alvarez, two Advocates at Disability Rights Florida who specialize in Special Education cases. Selina and Nately provide a wonderful overview of special education in Florida, explain the differences between IEP Plans and 504 Plans, and offer a wide array of tips and tricks to help make parents' lives a little bit easier.

In this episode of You First, we talk to Judy Silverstein, Regional Special Needs Consultant at the Florida Department of Health, and Carol Stachurski, Program Operations Manager at Disability Rights Florida. Judy and Carol explain how Floridians with disabilities can best prepare for emergencies, including signing up with the Special Needs Registry, how Special Needs Shelters are different from conventional shelters, and more.

In this episode of You First, we talk to Crystal Lilly, Director of Education and Training at Federation of Families of Central Florida, and Cameron Wood, Executive Director of the Peer Support Coalition of Florida. Crystal and Cameron discuss peer support programs, a natural extension of the recovery-oriented systems of care we discussed in Episode 7: The Right to Recovery. They also discuss the roles of Certified Recovery Peer Specialists, how you could become one, and be a part of the peer support movement.

In this episode of You First, we talk to Janniell Vazquez and Howard Bell of Disability Rights Florida. Janniell and Howard tell us about the Client Assistance Program (CAP), including information about who is eligible and what types of services can be provided. After listening, if you believe you could benefit from CAP, please contact us at 1-800-342-0823 or www.disabilityrightsflorida.org/intake.

In this episode of You First, we talk to Mark Miller of Interactive Accessibility. Mark uses anecdotes and analogies to energize our discussion of website and document accessibility, explaining why it is important to make sure your digital storefront is accessible and how you can ensure access to your websites, documents, and presentations for people using assistive technologies such as screen readers.

In this episode of You First, we talk to Dana Foglesong, Manager of Recovery and Resiliency Services at Magellan Complete Care, and Wesley Evans, Statewide Coordinator of Integration and Recovery Services at the Florida Department of Children and Families. Dana and Wesley talk about the Right to Recovery as described by Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care, a modern approach to treatment and recovery from mental illnesses and substance abuse.

This episode of You First focuses on ABLE United, a new savings and investment option for persons with disabilities in Florida. ABLE United Director John Finch tells us what an ABLE account is, how to get one, and how it affects your benefits and income.

This episode of You First features Mike McCreight, a young adult who was previously placed in a plenary guardianship but is now once again able to make his own decisions, and Mike's attorney, Amanda Heystek, who is Director of Systems Reform at Disability Rights Florida. We talk with Mike about the restrictive situation he was forced into, how Amanda was able to help Mike by replacing the guardianship with a supported decision-making contract, and how Mike’s life has changed since that time.

Our guests today include Barb Page, Natalie Alden, and Victor Panoff, Advocate-Investigators at Disability Rights Florida. They each tell us why they feel it is important for persons with disabilities to vote and discuss their past experiences when voting. The guests also give advice to new voters about how to handle any issues they might encounter.

In this episode, Bill Cowles, the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, explains the benefits of making a plan before going to the polls. From learning about the candidates to coordinating a ride, voters with disabilities should plan for the different tasks required to efficiently cast their ballot. With the election rapidly approaching, make sure you start planning now for how you're going to vote!

Floridians are entitled to resources and assistance when voting. In this episode, we interview Dana Farmer, PAVA Coordinator at Disability Rights Florida, who discusses the various services and resources available to voters. The information discussed should positively impact listeners’ turnout in the upcoming election by emphasizing the resources available for individuals to help them “access the vote.”

An in-depth interview with Michelle Bishop, the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) representative with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), that will educate listeners about the importance of voting and general accessibility issues voters may face, as well as legislation and resources available to support voters with disabilities.

I’m Keith Casebonne, the host of You First, where we interview knowledgeable guests, account first-hand experiences, and dive into issues of national and global importance to people with disabilities, such as:

Education
Mental Health & Recovery
Service Animals
Assistive Technology
Ableism
Voting
and much more!

I hope you tune in. Visit disabilityrightsflorida.org/podcast to subscribe!