KPFA - Pushing Limits

Are you ready to dive into some of the most crucial legal battles impacting the disability community today? On this week’s program we welcome back Michelle Uzeta, a staff attorney from the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, to break down landmark cases that could reshape the landscape of disability rights in America. In Grants Pass, the United States Supreme Court ruled that fining and jailing people experiencing homelessness for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go is not unconstitutional. Accordingly, she will be updating us on Guthrey v. Alta California Regional Center, a ruling that will decide whether regional centers and their vendors are subject to the anti-discrimination provisions of the ADA. Michelle Uzeta This program is hosted and produced by Eddie Ytuarte. The post Disability & Law – Pushing Limits – July 26, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Our expert, Connie Arnold has worked to improve In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for over 35 years and she uses IHSS attendants for her own independence. She’s agreed to come answer your questions about this ubiquitous state program – the one many of us depend upon, appreciate, and want to dropkick to hell. Connie Arnold Send your questions before the show, or call us when we’re on the air at 510-848-4425 or 800-958-9008… If you struggle to get your social worker to provide the hours that you need to stay independent if you need nurses to do home medical care If your care comes from family members If you hire your attendants from Craig’s List If you have a Home and Community Based Alternative Waiver If you’re brand new to the program In short, if you have any questions about any part of this $24 billion dollar a year social service, this radio program is for you. Connie Arnold graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a degree in Social Welfare and from Sonoma State University with a Master’s degree in Health Services & Public Administration Policy. She routinely, some say obsessively, attends state meetings, reads legal and policy documents, and tells the unvarnished truth. Adrienne Lauby produced this program. She and Shelley Berman will host. The post In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Call In – Pushing Limits – July 19, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

What comes to mind when you think of mental health? Therapy? Trauma? Disability? If you happen to think of all three than this program is for you. According to the CDC, “Adults with disabilities report experiencing frequent mental distress almost 5 times as often as adults without disabilities”. Who better suited to help disabled individuals navigate those unique challenges than those who also share them? On this episode of Pushing Limits, we will be talking to two mental health professionals who have disabilities. Kit Mcmillion is a peer support specialist who uses her lived experiences with mental health challenges to assist others. We will also talk to Jennifer Lincoln, a trauma therapist with cerebral palsy and spinal stenosis. Additionally, Pushing Limits collective member Shelley Berman will provide a commentary on mental illness related to her family. This episode is hosted by Bonnie Elliot and produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton with editing from Denny Daughters. Jennifer Lincoln The post Social Workers With Disabilities – Pushing Limits – July 12, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

For a disabled person who needs a ride, paratransit sounds great. You call them up, someone comes in a wheelchair accessible van and away you go! But, the reality is not that simple! Despite the fact that more vehicles are used for paratransit than any other type of public transportation, a plethora of issues plague paratransit services. What happens when your paratransit pickup is late and you’re late for the meeting? What happens if your driver drastically exceeds the speed limit? And, why are so many of the vans so poorly maintained? According to a bus service in Rochester N.Y., “paratransit is a shared ride public service intended to serve as a safety net.” It’s for “individuals who, because of their disabilities, are unable to ride the ADA compliant RTS {Regional Transit Services] fixed-route bus for some or all their travel”. But, is the safety net really that safe? Nearly 70 thousand vehicles were available for typical peak paratransit services in the U.S. in 2013 – more than all the buses and trains combined. So, why isn’t paratransit a shining star in the lives of people with disabilities? Helping us navigate all these complexities and more is disability advocate Christine Fitzgerald. More specifically, she is the community advocate for Silicon Valley’s Independent Living Center. As a member serving on the Committee for Transportation and Mobility Access, she works at the local, state, and governmental levels to ensure that people with disabilities have their access and transportation needs met. Christine Fitzgerald This program was hosted and produced by Dominick Trevethan with editing from Denny Daughters. Useful Links: Silicon Valley Independent Living Center 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Paratransit What is Paratransit? The post Paratransit Problems – Pushing Limits – July 5, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

On a progressive college or university campus, we might assume students with disabilities are well served. But, around the county, we often hear a different story. In this program we look to a disabled leader of a local center for answers: What is the role of a campus disability resource center? How can they improve their services? How dedicated are institutions of higher learning to success for a quarter of their students? Students with disabilities in educational settings have unique and individualized needs that must be addressed to ensure their academic success. These accommodations are crucial for enabling students to thrive in their studies alongside their non-disabled peers. As courses evolve to become universally accessible to all students, the reliance on specific accommodations will diminish. Additionally, it is essential to recognize the importance of disability advocacy and awareness both within the campus community and in broader society when considering the current state of disability. So, how dedicated are institutions of higher learning to a quarter of the demographic? Kimberly Starke – Dean of the Disabled Resources Department at Santa Rosa Junior College Offering her insights from the institution side today is Kimberly Starke, Dean of the Disabled Resources Department at Santa Rosa Junior College. Prior to overseeing this department, Kimberly worked with students as a Speech-Language Pathologist and has over 16 years of experience working with the disability community. This program was hosted and produced by Jacob Stanton with editing assistance from Denny Daughters. The post Disabled Student Services – Pushing Limits – June 28, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Rehab Session in Khan Younis. ©Photo by HI. The war in Gaza has captured the attention of much of the world, and unfortunately, it seems there is no end in sight. The Pushing Limits gang realizes that these catastrophic events occurring most heavily impact the disability community – and worse yet, are creating new disabilities with each passing hour. On today’s program, we invite you to join us for true, real-time stories of people with disabilities trying to survive an ongoing genocide as we host Elizabeth Johnson Sellers from the international organization, Humanity and Inclusion to discuss what is happening to the disability community in Gaza. Elizabeth holds a B.S. from Murray State University, where her studies focused on journalism and marketing. This program is hosted and produced by Eddie Ytuarte. More about Humanity and Inclusion Humanity & Inclusion and its partners in Gaza have provided aid to more than 3,500 people since October 7. They focus on people with disabilities. Their office, located in the Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City, was destroyed in an Israeli bombing strike on January 31. Here’s more about the destruction of their office. No warning given! For more information on Humanity and Inclusion, check them out here. The post Disability in Gaza – Pushing Limits – June 21, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Young person typing braille by George Williams Why should blind children learn to read braille? Given the amazing rise of audio books and audio screen readers, is braille a technology of the past? Our guest Mike Tanner answers these questions with a resounding “No” and, in this week’s program, makes the case for braille literacy. Most people gain literacy as children, which means parents have a strong role to play in researching their children’s needs and advocating for them with their school district. But, braille isn’t a total solution. Mike talks about the cost of hard copy braille and explains why it is so expensive. He reminds us that one way to negotiate these problems is to use the many resources of the National Library Service For The Blind And Print Disabled. What does the future of braille technology hold? Find out this week on Pushing Limits, KPFA’s program by and about people with disabilities. Mike Tanner teaches visually impaired students in Southern California. He holds a BA degree in mathematics and a Masters Degree in Special Education. This program was hosted, edited and produced by Denny Daughters. Hands reading Braille by Vater_fotografo622_NSC_4787_bis_Braille– “la luce attraverso le dita” (light through the fingers) Resources: For more about the National Library Service For The Blind And Print Disabled, visit them at: https://www.loc.gov/nls/ The National Library Service is underutilized. For more about it, as well as the Braille And Talking Book Library in Sacramento, go here: https://kpfa.org/episode/pushing-limits-march-15-2024/ Photo Citations: Young person typing braille by George Williams from Flickr Hands reading Braille. by Vater_fotografo from Flickr Creative Commons License The post Braille Today – Pushing Limits – June 14, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Sophia Lee-Park What is a disability advocate? How does advocacy look in this day and age with the role that media and smartphones play? How does someone advocate effectively while simultaneously negotiating and managing their own unique identities? On Friday’s program of Pushing Limits, we answer all these questions and more as we take a deep dive into what it means to be a disability advocate. Joining us is Sophia Lee-Park, a disability justice advocate and accessibility educator. Sophia earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCSB and recently graduated from USC with a master’s degree in post secondary affairs and schooling administration. Pulling from her experiences as a person with a physical and a developmental disability, Sophia shares her thoughts on the topic of advocacy. This program was produced and edited by Dominick Trevethan with help from Denny Daughters. Additionally, this program originally aired in a longer form on the podcast, The Disability Myth. The post Disability Advocacy: A Deep Dive – Pushing Limits – June 7, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

It is the height of California’s annual budget wrangle, and Governor Newsom is planning severe cuts to programs we depend on. These programs include In Home Supportive Services, CalFresh, nutrition support, housing & homeless assistance, and others. It’s pretty dire. We have until June 15, just two more weeks, to let our Sacramento representatives know how we want tax payer money spent. Scroll down for something you can do TODAY. We bring a panel of experts from San Francisco’s HomeBridge: Erin Saberi, public policy and communications consultant, Amber Harris, senior director of talent and people, and Meaghan Shanahan, senior director of programs. Home Bridge trains and provides care givers and attendants for elderly and disabled people throughout the bay area. Erin Saberi There is a crisis in attendant care in California. These folks know just how bad it is and how these budget discussions will either help – or make it worse. Some context: California has had a fat purse for several years but, this year, the purse is skinny with a $27.6 billion dollar shortfall. As usual, one thing that isn’t being cut is California’s prison system. It’s being tinkered with but it’s actually getting an overall increase! Our community is not taking these cuts lying down. Since the draft budget came out in January, lobbyists, non-profits and many disabled people have been in Sacramento to testify at hearings and hold rallies. There’s just enough time, just enough momentum to turn the tide and save ourselves from some of the worst consequences. One more thing: There’s an inevitable level of competition in the budget fight. It’s tricky to lobby for any particu Amber Harris lar program. For instance, if you argue for expanding IHSS caregivers you might find yourself arguing against houses for homeless people. You argue for Developmental Disability increases and find yourself arguing against help for abused elders. We salute two organizations who’ve made long term coalitions to take some sting out of the competition. The California Collaborative for Long Term Services and Supports has over 60 organizational members and CURB, Californians United for a Responsible Budget, brings more than 80 organizations together. They help make the best of a tough situation. Emergency Budget Rally Governor Newson is trying to cut critical services for undocumented people, people with disabilities, and older adults. Join us to fight back! Governor Newsom: Hands Off Our Home Care! Thursday, June 6, 11:00 am 455 Golden Gate, San Francisco Masks required & provided ————————————————————– Take Action Today! Make some calls, write some emails. HERE’S WHAT TO SAY: My name is ___________ and I am a (senior, immigrant, person with a disability). I am very concerned about the incredibly harsh cuts proposed in the Governor’s proposed May Revised Budget. The elimination of the IHSS benefit for undocumented Californians on Medi-Cal is extremely harmful, and sends a message that California is turning its back on immigrant, older adult and disabled communities – and will surely end up with more expensive institutional care. Meaghan Shanahan The other cuts to food security, developmental disability, housing and homeless programs, APS, and other Older Adult Act programs will take us backwards. California enacted a Master Plan on Aging that looks to expand programs and services to address our state’s aging population. Let’s look to the rainy day fund and other sources to move us forward, and protect our most vulnerable populations. Thank you. WHO TO CONTACT: Please call and/or email these members: Assembly Budget Chair – Assm. Jesse Gabriel: 916-319-2046/ AsmBudget@asm.ca.gov Assembly Speaker – Assm. Robert Rivas: 916-319-2029/ https://speaker.asmdc.org Senate Budget Chair – Senator Scott Wiener: 916-651-4011/Severiano.Christian@sen.ca.gov (Leg. Director) Senate Pro Tem – Senator Mike McGuire: 916-651-4002/ https://sd02.senate.ca.gove/contact (Thanks to our friends at CARA for this...

Today’s Pushing Limits is preempted by special spring fund drive programming. The post Special Spring Fund Drive Programming appeared first on KPFA.

Today’s Making Contact is preempted by the final part of C.S. Soong’s interview of Nate Powell about his graphic adaptation of James W. Loewen’s book Lies My Teacher Told Me. The post Special Spring Fund Drive Programming: Nate Powell on his adaptation of Lies My Teacher Told Me appeared first on KPFA.

Nina G. Tune in to a special hour-long Pushing Limits program this Friday at 2 pm. We will be talking to Nina G, comedian and author of Stutterer Interrupted and Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy: A Humorous History. In May 2023, her album debuted at #1 in Comedy on iTunes and Amazon. Her first video special, Nina G: Stutterer Interrupted, debuted in October 2023. We will also talk to comedian and professional speaker Michael Beers. For 20 years, he has been an award-winning stand-up comic, disability activist and educator. Michael Beers We will also be raising money for KPFA. For 75 years the station has been a home for voices that the corporate media has tried to silence. We will be giving away copies of Nina’s book Stutterer Interrupted as a thank-you for your donation to KPFA. This episode of Pushing Limits will be hosted by Jacob Lesner-Buxton, Adrienne Lauby, Shelley Berman, and Bonnie Elliott. Check out our awesome guests below! Nina G’s website Michael Beers website The post Comics with Disabilities – Pushing Limits – May 10, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

In recent years companies, nonprofits and government agencies have invested time and money to start DEI initiatives. These DEI trainings and other activities often focus on issues of race, gender and sexual orientation, while disability goes unaddressed. Jennifer Chassman Browne In this program, we talk with Jennifer Chassman Browne, a DEI consultant with a disability. Jennifer talks about her work with companies and schools throughout the U.S. and speculates why disability is overlooked in many DEI programs. We will also play audio from a short video produced by the Ford Foundation that features activists talking about the interaction between the disability community and other social justice movements. This program is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. Voiced and edited by Dominick Trevethan. Useful Links Jennifer Chassman Browne website Ford Foundation Video – Disability Justice & Philanthropy: A Message to Funders The post DEI & Disability – Pushing Limits – May 3, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Join Pushing Limits as we explore the subject of harm reduction. Advocates of these practices believe that the government should provide services to assist those to do drugs in the safest way possible. These services may include needle exchange, overdose prevention sites, and the legalization of substances. These services have been shown to be effective. However, some politicians believe that people who use drugs shouldn’t have access to services like affordable housing until they stop using drugs. Alli Lazarus Our guests include Alli Lazarus of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Shannon Knox, the Executive Director of the San Francisco Drug Users Union. They discuss the state of harm reduction in the city and beyond. Additionally, Alli who lives with a disability herself, talks about some of the challenges her clients with disabilities face, specifically whether attendants can assist people engaging in the use of drugs. Both of our guests give their takes on the issue of whether drug users should be considered disabled under the ADA as well. This program is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton, and hosted and edited by Denny Daughters with production assistance from Jacob Stanton. Useful Resources: San Francisco Drug Users Union Harm reduction-San Francisco AIDS Foundation A study about an overdose prevention site in San Francisco North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN) National Harm Reduction Coalition The post Harm Reduction – Pushing Limits – April 26, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Brianna Heim watches her service dog, Emily, as she bowls Jan. 30, 2019, at the bowling event held by Exceptional Family Member Program-Family Support at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs). Landlords still tell people with disabilities that they cannot have their service dogs or other service animals in their homes. They continue to disregard state and federal laws or — perhaps they are just plain ignorant. Michelle Uzeta joins us to talk to our resident housing expert, Eddie Ytuarte, about landlord resistance to service animals and other housing discrimination against people with disabilities. Michelle Uzeta Michelle Uzeta is the Deputy Legal Director at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF). Michelle’s practice has focused on the litigation of high impact lawsuits and representation of individuals facing discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, Fair Housing Amendments Act and related state laws. In addition to her role as a litigator, Michelle has lectured and written extensively on the legal rights of people with disabilities and has authored a number of amicus briefs on disability rights issues, including briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court. Michelle is a graduate of Stanford University and earned her Juris Doctorate and Certification in Public Interest Law from King Hall School of Law at the University of California, Davis. This program produced & hosted by Eddie Ytuarte. Check out the DREDF website for resources, to sign up for their newsletter and read about their work: https://dredf.org Photo of service dog: Public Use Notice of Limitations The post Housing Discrimination with Michelle Uzeta – Pushing Limits – April 19, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

A week ago, on April 5, 61-year-old Brett Estes took his own life by moving his wheelchair in front of a BART train. He was a quadriplegic and a member of a Quad-Squad which was active in the disability movement. Despite the kind, long-term help of a man named John, Brett had recently struggled with finding enough attendants. We don’t know all the reasons behind this tragedy but this death raises the issue of our current, very-inadequate attendant-care system. Another member of our community, Brian Larsen, also took his life a few years ago when he was unable to secure adequate attendant support. California’s IHSS, (In Home Supportive Services) system is failing severely disabled people. Our guest, Connie Arnold sees the problems in her own life and she’s been attending state meetings, reading legal and policy regulations and generally working to improve IHSS for 35+ years. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1984 with a degree in Social Welfare, and in 2009 from Sonoma State University (SSU) with a Master’s degree in Health Services & Public Administration Policy. With her wide range of academic and professional expertise, Ms Arnold gives specific advice on how we can each play a part in saving lives and advocate for change. You can reach her by emailing: IHSS underscore advocate at yahoo.com.k Connie Arnold MORE DETAILS: Many people with disabilities living in the community are suffering because they cannot find competent, reliable, trustworthy, and stable non-relative IHSS care provider-attendants. Attendants who can perform paramedical services are few and far between. The State of California makes every IHSS recipient the “employer” responsible for finding their own care providers, but the recipients do not set the terms of employment for wages, health benefits, and job incentives. Currently, IHSS wages vary from county to county and is not a living wage. Under the IHSS program alone family members care for 72.1% of people with disabilities and they are often willing to work long hours for near minimum wages. But when family and friends are ill, move away or age out, who takes their place? This situation is especially obvious in the case of developmentally disabled people who live with elderly parents, but it affects people with all kinds of severe disabilities, including dementia, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), children with severe disabilities, and many others. If you have a severe disability you may quality for extra help through a Medi-Cal or HCBA waiver. Here’s how to apply: California Department of Health Care (DHCS) Medi-Cal Waivers: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/Medi-CalWaivers.aspx DHCS Home and Community-Based Alternative (HCBA) Waiver and scroll down to see which local agency serves your zip code: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ltc/Pages/Home-and-Community-Based-%28HCB%29-Alternatives-Waiver.aspx Connie Arnold Currently, individuals requiring multiple daily attendants are struggling to live independently in the community. People who rely primarily on non-relative providers are most at-risk of being forced into institutions. This, despite the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision which gave people with disabilities the right to live in the least restricted environment with supportive services. Knowing what they know about the institutions, many severely disabled individuals consider alternative actions like suicide. Plus: “Who’s in Charge Here?” Commentary by Shelley Berman. Produced and hosted by Shelley Berman and Adrienne Lauby. With thanks to the Berkeley-Disabled E-group who sparked the attendant-shortage discussion. To subscribe to the Berkeley Disabled e-group, send an email to: berkeley-disabled+subscribe@googlegroups.com ——————————Want to Learn More?—————————— In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) – California State Association of Counties. This group put a ceiling on IHSS wages so that they can be no higher than $1.25 an hour greater than minimum wage. More details about how wages and benefits are...

Adrion Garcia & Bella Gonzalez Love is love, whether you live with a disability or not. However, those in interabled relationships face unique challenges that stem from within the relationship as well as from outside factors. These challenges can include finding a balance between needing care and being a reliable partner, as well as dealing with the financial limitations that governmental programs such as social security place on married couples. In this program, three people with disabilities discuss their experiences with dating, intimacy, marriage and much more. Denny Daughters We talk to Denny Daughters, one of the Pushing Limits’ producers, about the unique challenges of being a blind man married to a sighted woman. Genevieve Werner Genevieve Werner shares her high school (and beyond) dating experiences while living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. And, she details the difficulties of intimacy for those who require caregivers. Adrion Garcia tells us how he met his fiancé and the changes they’ve stared down since he became a quadriplegic after a work accident. This episode of Pushing Limits is produced, edited, and hosted by Dominick Trevethan. The post Interabled Relationships – Pushing Limits – April 5, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

(Transcript below) People with mental, emotional and cognitive disabilities face significant limitations in their daily life. They’re considered disabled under the law. Yet, some people with mental health conditions feel their needs are ignored by those with mobility and other physical disabilities. And, some people with mental health issues choose not to identify as disabled due the stigma of the category. We talk to Brian Hollander from Disability Rights California, who identifies himself as someone with mental health challenges. Hollander gives his perspectives on why there seems to be division in the community and the steps both groups can take to work together. Natasha Vita More at the AND Festival Salon Also, we talk to “Megan” a community organizer from L. A. about the journey she is on in becoming comfortable with identifying as someone with a mental health disability. This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton, with editing and voicing by Dominick Trevelham. Photo Credits: “Hands Over Face” Created by Jose Luis Navarro Copyright- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 from MyRetrospect.com “How will we decide” by Andy Miah Natasha Vita-More @ANDfestival Salon, Flicker Transcript: Disability Movement Tension Spots Dominick Trevethan (Dominick): Good afternoon and welcome to Pushing Limits, KPFA’s program by and about people with disabilities. We air every Friday at 2:30pm. This is Dominick Trevethan and today I’m voicing a script written by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. In recent years, there’s been a lot of conversation about an idea known as the hierarchy of disability. This theory suggests that people of certain races genders, and disability are treated better than others both in and outside the community. People who believe this theory suggest that white men in wheelchairs have historically monopolized leadership roles in the community. The leaders have been accused of ignoring the needs of people of color and those with non-apparent disabilities who find themselves low in the pecking order. Often, those at the bottom of the totem pole tend to have challenges with their mental health. Jacob has talked with others who work for disability organizations feeling like they couldn’t share about their mental health issues. Recently, he talked to a therapist with a disability who seemed to suggest that people with mental health challenges are from separate communities. So, on today’s show, show, we will discuss how the disability community can better accommodate its members with mental health issues. Our first guest is Brian Hollander, a person with a mental health disability who has worked as a public policy advocate in both California and New York. Brian Hollander: (Brian) My name is Brian Hollander. I am a disability rights advocate and a public policy advocate. I work with Disability Rights California and much of my work is focused on mental health, especially the intersection of mental health and other disabilities. And right now what I do is supervise advocates who are protecting the civil rights of people with mental health disabilities who live in state forensic psychiatric hospitals. Dominick: Hollander gives us some historical context as to why it seems there’s this division between people with mental health challenges and those with other disabilities. Hollander: Well, you know, it’s an interesting question because it sort of has two answers. I think that my philosophy, my hope is that both of those communities of advocates should be working together especially as it relates to centers for independent living and even protection and advocacy organizations to some degree. I think mental health has sort of been like, you know, left behind. not left behind, but historically it’s been the invisible disability that nobody really talks about. Now it’s getting a lot of play, but in some cases for the long reasons. But I definitely think that more can be done to conjoin the voices of different groups that are doing this work to...

Amy SP Wilson Are you ready? Ready for whatever comes at you? No one can answer “yes” 100% of the time. But we can take steps to be prepared. And Pushing Limits is here to help. This week, Amy SP Wilson brings a wealth of ideas about the perennial problem of strangers who are intrusive when they try to help people with disabilities. Amy SP Wilson is the CEO and founder of the Safety Positive Foundation, a nonprofit in the business of solving the personal safety needs of the blind and visually impaired community. Serra Rae And, Serra Rea explains how emergency centers teamed up with local Independent Living Centers to help keep people with disabilities safe during the recent Southern California Floods. Serra Rae is the Disability Disaster Access & Resources Program Manager for the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. Listen up; Stay Safe; Be Prepared! Interviewers and producers: Chelsea Lesner-Buxton, Bonnie Elliot and Dominick Trevethan. Audio editing: Denny Daughters, Dominick Trevethan and Adrienne Lauby. Host: Adrienne Lauby More about Amy SP Wilson: Amy SP Wilson’s commitment to personal safety has been a lifelong pursuit. From playfully wrestling with her cousins during her early years to becoming the first female wrestler at the Missouri School for the Blind in 1996, her passion for wrestling led her to the United States Association of Blind Athletes nationals in 1997, where she discovered Judo. In 1998, Amy proudly represented her country in the World Championships for the Blind in Judo, as a member of the inaugural women’s Judo team of the USABA, all before graduating from high school. Amy’s eye condition, Stargardt’s, diagnosed at the age of 10, prevented her from continuing her martial arts journey. Amy earned her first bachelor’s degree in psychology, only to become a survivor of domestic violence shortly after. This was not her first experience as a survivor, and she is deeply passionate about addressing the alarming rates of mental and emotional abuse within relationships involving individuals with disabilities. Amy’s pursuit of knowledge led her to earn a second bachelor’s degree in social work. For the past decade, Amy has been involved in instructing and developing self-defense programs specifically designed for the blind and visually impaired. However, she found that these programs and organizations often had limited expectations for the Blind and Visually Impaired community, which did not align with her mission. Through the establishment of the Safety Positive Foundation, Amy shares her skills and empowers her community to embrace a safety-positive lifestyle. More about Serra Rae: While working with the County of San Bernardino in the Public Works department, Serra Rae learned a lot about wildland fires, flooding, and earthquakes. Preparing for the next emergency and working as a Emergency Communications Specialist in the FireCorps, Serra attended American Military Academy and obtained a bachelor degree in Disaster and Emergency Management with a focus on Terrorism and Geological Disasters. Later becoming certified as an Emergency Management Specialist with California Specialized Training Institute. Serra Rae was introduced to the DDAR program while working at Rolling Start, an Independent Living Center member with CFILC. Working with the program at the center level gave her a good foundation to help the community open up the discussion of resources available to the community before, during and after an emergency or disaster event. The post Be Prepared – Disability – Pushing Limits – March 22, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Shirt by Bruno Henrique Denny Daughters interviews people from The Braille And Talking Book Library in Sacramento, Director Mike Marlin and Technology Specialist Morgan Pershing. The Braille And Talking Book Library is part of a larger national network of libraries called The National Library Service For The Blind And Print Disabled. NLS for short. Learn how can you sign up for services, how these libraries are different from commercial audio book companies, some of the devices you can borrow, the Marrakesh Treaty, and more. Braille and Talking Book Library in Sacramento: btbl.ca.gov To reach Mike Marlin and/or Morgan Pershing call: (800) 952-5666, (916) 654-0640 Mike’s email is: mike.marlin@library.ca.gov; Morgan’s email is: morgan.pershing@library.ca.gov The National Library Service website is: l Washington Talking Book and Braille Library oc.gov/nls The bard website to download books is nlsbard.loc.gov This program was edited, hosted and produced by Denny Daughters. Photo Credits: T-shirt Design by Bruno Henrique on Printerval , photo by Joe Wolf, license CC BY-ND 2.0 Deed The post “Braille & Talking Books” – Pushing Limits – March 15, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.