The deepest dive ever with Jodi and Keith

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This episode of Aaron's Opinion is brought to you by
Disability Deep Dive Podcast.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
Hi, I'm Keith Casabon and this is Disability Deep Dive,
the reimagined podcast from Disability Rights Florida. You might remember
us as you first, but we're back with a new name,
a new focus, and a new co host.

Speaker 3 (00:29):
That's me, Jody Beckstein. This season, we're diving into the
real stories and bold ideas shipping how we understand disability.

Speaker 2 (00:36):
Today, we'll sit down with guests like Kyle, an educator
teaching disability through pop culture. We'll talk with Katie from
the Center of Genetics and Society about ethics and technology.
And here from Aaron and Jillian at Mascot's Matter, working
to end ablest school mascots and change the message of
future generations.

Speaker 3 (00:55):
Plus, every episode includes this week's Deep Cut, where we
spotlight a film, book, or song that adds depth to
the conversation.

Speaker 2 (01:03):
Find Disability Deep Dive wherever you get your podcasts and
join us for honest, human conversations about justice, identity, and disability.

Speaker 4 (01:11):
This is Disability Deep Dive.

Speaker 1 (01:21):
Welcome or welcome back, everybody to another exciting episode of
Aaron's Opinion the podcast for blind people where we speak
about critical issues in the blindness community and all other
issues from across the universe and galaxy. My name is
Aaron Richmond. And of course, as you know, there's so
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(01:42):
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(02:03):
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(05:45):
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Are thank? You all, Right this episode Of Aaron's opinion

(06:06):
is a very fun, one a very special. One we're
going to be joined today by two, people two very
kind people by the names Of jody And. Keith and
the backstory behind this, one and there's, always you, know
as we say in the, business there's always a, backstory
whether you like it or not or want to admit
to it or. Not there's always there's always the, backstory,

(06:27):
okay and today's backstory is a pretty a pretty interesting.
One someone suggested THAT i get in touch with a
organization Called Disability Writes, florida And i'm GLAD i. DID
i reached out to them On facebook and, said, hey you,
Know i'm a podcaster in the Space i'm. Blind you,
know do you want to learn about my? Show and

(06:48):
as a matter of, fact they said absolutely. Yes not
only do we want to learn about your, show but
we want to interview you on our own. Podcast so,
actually in, essence today you're going to be getting when
this is, released you're actually going to be getting two
different episodes that you can listen. To, okay you can
listen to today's episode WHERE I Aaron's opinion Interview Disability

(07:11):
Deep dive With jody And, keith and you will also
be able to listen To Disability Deep dive Interviewing Aaron's,
opinion and that's a very very interesting one as. Well
so basically you're getting you're getting kind of a kind
of a double header today where we basically interview each. Other,
understandably though the episode this episode is Is Aaron's Opinion

(07:34):
Interviewing Disability Deep, dive and then the other episode that
will be shared out also On apple you, Know i'm
going to share The apple. Links the other episode will
Be Disability Deep Dive Interviewing Aaron's, opinion and basically we're
going to talk about the history Behind Disability Deep. Dive Deep,
dive which is their, Podcast What Disability Writes florida does
what they do in their free, time and they're just

(07:54):
two great people who are doing the best they. Can
it can be very hard for people with disability certainly
find people to speak up in the, community And Disability
Deep dive provides a great space for. THAT i, mean
they've interviewed some incredible people and hopefully we'll get more
of their guests here On Aaron's opinion to keep sharing
the knowledge amongst our community and around our. Community, okay
there you. Go they are very very very kind to,

(08:16):
people and we welcome them To Aaron's. Opinion so there you.
Go so why don't how about, This why DON'T i
let you talk To disability Deep. Dive why don't we
go talk To jody And keith right about? Here so
you're listening to The Aaron's Opinion. Podcast my name Is Aarah,
richmond and of course let's sit back and let's listen together,
too The Deepest dive ever With jody And. Keith welcome

(08:40):
and welcome back everybody to another exciting episode Of Aaron's,
opinion the podcast for blind people where we speak about
critical issues in the blindness community and all other issues
from across the universal. Galaxy today we are joined By
Disability Deep. Dive jody And keith join us. Today just
a week AGO i was On Disability Deep. DIVE i
was on your, podcast and then you both nicely returned

(09:03):
to the favor as we, say, so what can you tell? Me?
Basically WHAT i would like you to do over the
next rough hour hour and a half is basically go
through who each of you are as people and now
you Developed Disability Deep Deep dive into what it is.
Today SO i will certainly mute my microphone and sit
back and listen to. You so go right, ahead either
one of you can, Start go right, ahead up to.

Speaker 3 (09:27):
You, jody you want to, start you want me to,
Start i'll let you start since you started the.

Speaker 2 (09:30):
Podcast, okay so, yeah so, yeah my Name's Keith. Castabon
i'm the communications manager At Disability Rights, florida and about,
gosh nine years ago, now we decided to start a,
podcast so that actually began through we had just gotten

(09:54):
a new grant called The protection And advocacy For Voting
Access grant or PAVA ava for, short which was part
of The Help America Vote act legislation that was PASSED
i think in two thousand and, two sort of as
a result of the, well the fun two thousand. ELECTION

(10:15):
i would just say that that sort of. Debacle So
Help America Vote act had all these new regulations and
rules on voting and what you, can how you can,
vote not, vote and a big chunk of it was
to give the State protection And Advocacy, agencies which is
What Disability Rates florida is For. Florida every state and
territory has, one SO i think there's fifty six of,

(10:38):
them fifty six fifty seven and so so that money
was going to go to all the different states organizations
to help people with disabilities get out and. Vote and you,
know part of the whole legislation was that they'd be
accessible voting machines and all these look at you, know

(10:59):
and all the voting looks and, such and so you,
know we sort of helped make sure that that was
the case and that you, know there was training and
and and and so, on and also then just helping
people with disabilities learn how to, advocate to vote for,
themselves get to the, polls use the accessible, equipment and so.
On and one of the things we decided to do

(11:21):
to help promote some of that was to build this,
website start a, podcast do all these different like sort
of media, adventures and so that the, podcast you, know
it was a lot later than when the you, know
the the bill was passed in two thousand and. TWO

(11:42):
i think we kind of got the program started in
two thousand and, four two thousand and, five but as
part of the twenty sixteen, election we wanted to do
something a little different and try to get the word
out in some different, ways and someone we were working
with suggested a. Podcast and you, know at the, TIME
i mean there were certainly podcasts out, there but you,

(12:04):
know it was i mean maybe a little different than
it is today and not every you, know there's there
seem to be a lot more, now but there's also
more of A i don't, know there's more science behind.
It you, know people understand THE seo of podcasting now
better and and there's real like strategies and things like.
That back, then it's felt like there really wasn't any

(12:26):
strategy and it was just sort of like get a
microphone to publish it and see what. Happens and so
that's kind of what we. Did we planned these four
episodes near the end of twenty. Sixteen they were all about,
voting different aspects of. Voting we had a. Guest it
was highly. SCRIPTED i, mean it was very, different very
very different than what we do. Now the audio, quality

(12:47):
especially the first.

Speaker 5 (12:48):
One is just.

Speaker 2 (12:50):
Trash when you go back and, listen it's just like.
Wow but you, know that's kind of what got it.
Started and so then after the first four voting related
episodes and then the twenty sixteen election, happened we were, like,
well we didn't just create a podcast to do. THAT i,
mean so we've got to figure out what we're going
to go.

Speaker 5 (13:10):
Next so.

Speaker 2 (13:13):
And by the, way so that podcast was Called You,
first The Disability Rates Florida, podcast and which is a,
mouthful but we just referred.

Speaker 5 (13:22):
To it as You.

Speaker 2 (13:22):
First but the challenge there was that if you just
said you. First it's, like, okay you, first for what you,
know what does that really? Mean, anyway we, started you,
know thinking of some of the topics to talk about
on the, podcast getting some other, guests and it kind
of grew and changed over the. Years i'd say in

(13:45):
the last five to six years is when it really got.
Good we really started building, up you, know the the
process of how to make these, episodes started doing a
lot more. Regularly we were really not even doing them
very regularly, before and, uh it became a lot better
than uh a few months.

Speaker 5 (14:06):
Ago the more a few months.

Speaker 2 (14:10):
Ago, NOW i guess my previous co, host who was
a staff person Displays Florida, maddie she moved on to
bigger and better, things and uh so we took a
little pause from the podcast and we in the process Hired,
jody and between the two of, us we sort of

(14:30):
rethought the podcast a little, bit changed the name To
Disability Deep, dive and, uh we are just we've recorded
four episodes so, far two of which are actually, live
and more to come and the bigger, plans you, know moving.
Ahead so that's all the that's all the backstory stuff

(14:51):
THAT i can. Provide, So, jody why don't you fill
in some of the more, UH i don't, know more
recent stuff in the in your Put.

Speaker 5 (15:00):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (15:01):
Sure I'm Jodie.

Speaker 3 (15:02):
Beckstein i'm the social media and content specialist At Disability Rights.
Florida i'm new to this arena and, podcasting but it's
it's really been an eye opener for me And i'm
really excited to be doing. It i'm hoping that the
change that we made with the rebranding is something that

(15:24):
people can really just latch onto and really want to listen.
To we're trying to do more of a mix of
experts and self advocates and really just diving into the
nitty gritty of the disability. Space so it's it's been really.
Exciting it's you, Know i've learned a. LOT i come

(15:45):
from a film, background so now working with just audio
and just the voice is a little.

Speaker 4 (15:50):
Different But i'm kind of getting the hang of it
and really enjoying.

Speaker 1 (15:53):
It thank you. Excellent first question really to both of
you to answer is so, YEAH i mean that's actually really.
INTERESTING i didn't know that we'd be talking about accessible.
Voting you, know that's that's an interesting UH a very
interesting and odd segue into what would develop into a.

(16:16):
Podcast you, KNOW i think that's really important because very few,
people actually young people especially really don't feel the importance of,
voting and especially with people with, DISABILITIES i think it's
even more feel that their vote doesn't. Count SO i
think THAT'S i think that's really. Good you, know both
of you, said you, know gave me a lot of

(16:38):
a lot of really good. Questions, jody back to. You
so you said that you can't you come from a film.
BACKGROUND i never guessed. That that's really. Interesting So i've
recorded a lot of episodes actually here about, film the film,
industry acting things like. That so what did you do
in the film? Industry by the, WAY.

Speaker 3 (16:54):
I went to film. SCHOOL i learned the back end of.
Production it was not your typical type of film. School
we learned how to be gaffers and work on the
set as opposed to creating our own. Films SO i
learned the technical aspects of, filmmaking which was really interesting and.
EXCITING i spent most of my time doing script supervising

(17:14):
and production. Management it's kind of WHAT i kind of
latched onto in. School SO i did that for a
while and then had children and kind of the film
industry kind of went to the wayside a little, bit
and THEN i started picking up doing communications in the
social media and that's HOW i came into that realm
from the film.

Speaker 1 (17:33):
Realm all, right, WELL i MEAN i think you'll find
that there's a lot of similarity actually between what you're
doing now and what you might have been able to
do in the film. Industry. Yeah i've spoken to a
lot of, directors actually several directors here on your in's.
Opinion they've all said basically the same sentence that it's
very very difficult to get into. Film it's incredibly hard

(17:54):
to actually get a job doing. It you can do
it as a, hobby but it's a very very difficult
job when you're actually doing it as a.

Speaker 3 (18:00):
Career so, yeah, definitely especially if you're comment. From having
a disability makes it that extra little hurdle that you
have to get over which makes it very.

Speaker 4 (18:11):
Difficult.

Speaker 1 (18:13):
YEAH i, mean there are several blind film, producers but
it is, very very very. Difficult so that is very very. Interesting,
absolutely so on Disability Deep, dive you guys have covered
a lot of. THINGS i didn't know it was only
four episodes it seemed like it was a lot more
than four, episodes by the, way in the list On.
Spotify but you guys have had a lot of great

(18:35):
experts on. There you had That professor just a couple
of weeks. Ago one of the more recent ones that
was a really really good, episode the person From Florida
state Or Southern, florida one of those. Universities. Yeah, yeah
you guys have covered a lot of. Things so what
EXPERTS i have you spoken to On Disability Deep dive
and what topics have you covered and things like that

(18:56):
really kind of break it. Down.

Speaker 2 (18:57):
Yeah, Sure, well and you, know we we have been
around for quite a, while you, know As Disability Deep.
Dive we've only had the two new, episodes but prior to,
that as you, know you first, podcast there have Been
i'm not even sure what the count. IS i, MEAN
i think it's probably in the. Nineties so, YEAH i

(19:17):
mean we have we have, done you, know a good
bit out. THERE i mean we've, gosh we've talked to
a lot of different. PEOPLE i, mean one of the
one of the MOST i think important episodes we. Did you,
know it was a couple of years ago, now but
it was an episode on the intersection of disability and reproductive.

(19:41):
Justice it was right at the time When roe. V
wade was, overturned and so we kind of put this
together relatively. Quickly we had a panel of four. Guests
uh their names Are Keith, Jones Heather, Watkins Rebecca cochley
And Mareena Ka Guia. Andaiwu and it was a really

(20:05):
a very very passionate discussion on the topic and really
just it's it's it's one of the best EPISODES i
think we'd we'd. Made and you, know it was really
cool in other ways, too because WE i mean we
we had a professor asked us if you could include
it in his syllabus that people have to listen to

(20:27):
that his students have listened to that. EPISODE i forget
what he, taught but it was. RELATED i just CAN'T
i can't remember the, subject and just it just got
a lot of, push a lot of play and AND
i THINK i haven't checked, recently BUT i think it's
still probably our most listened to. Episode so that's one
that has, always you, know really really stood out to. Me,

(20:53):
yeah we've talked to a lot of different. PEOPLE i
don't wanna. Gosh another another great one in my, opinion
and Then i'll turn it over To. Jodie was some time. Ago,
gosh this is this is when we first we're trying
to get, like you, know really good guests and and
move beyond where we had, started which was mostly talking

(21:14):
to staff and and, friends you, know to Spots, florida
that sort of. Thing so we wanted to sort of
spread out and try to find guests that, were you,
know outside of of that, circle if you. Will and
one of the first ones that we got was my

(21:35):
screen is totally blanking on me right, now SO i
can't'm trying to get to the. Episode and of course right,
now like our own website is not even, working so
that's really. Frustrating but, uh, anyway her, name, uh oh my,
God i'm so. Sorry i'm, Like i'm trying to figure

(21:56):
out my computer think at the same time as, talking
and it's not very good at. Multitasking her name Was Elizabeth,
wright and She's. Australian in, fact she was A. PARALYMPIAN
i forget what, year but she was a swimmer AND
i think she won. Silver but from there she did
like you, Know ted talks and and kind of got
big and now actually she and she moved To, england

(22:16):
so WHEN i talked to, her she lived In.

Speaker 5 (22:18):
England.

Speaker 2 (22:19):
Uh and now she's back In australia as a UH
a news. REPORTER i want to, say actually sports reporting
FOR i don't know How AUSTRALIAN tv, works BUT i
know it's it's sort of Like BRITISH, tv where it's,
like you, know state run uh. Stuff so it's it's
THE i think it's The Australian Broadcasting company or network

(22:39):
or something like. That but but she, does, uh that's
what she does. Now but the episode was about eco
ableism and how because she had written an article about the,
subject and and and how, like you, know we're we're
hurting the planet essentially trying to like some of the

(23:02):
things that we say we're going to do to solve
global warming are noble, ideas but sometimes the decisions we
make are actually hurtful for people with. Disabilities and one
of the classic arguments there is the paper versus plastic,
straws and so the idea of banning plastic straws because

(23:27):
it creates you, know waste that you know is in
our landfills and, Such, okay noble, idea but there's a
lot of people with disabilities that actually really depend on
having plastic straws available to them because the paper straws
will dissolve and things like that and doesn't really work.
Well people have aspirated trying to you, know use a

(23:47):
paper straw and, so you, know we're talking about something
THAT i don't remember the, statistics but it was like
a you, know a tenth of a percent or something
of the impact of waste where there were other things
that we could be certainly focusing, on you, know beyond,
that and uh, uh you, know so so let's you,

(24:08):
know let's save the, planet but let's not do it
in you, know in a way that's going to harm
people with. Disability so that was really great. Talk and
another one that, was you, know a pretty popular episode
and we run it as an encore once, before and uh, so,
YEAH i mean that those are a couple of examples
of some you, know really great guests and and kind
of big topics that we we tried to.

Speaker 5 (24:30):
Cover my uh uh.

Speaker 3 (24:35):
Is limited and what WE i, know we've only done
a few. Episodes but for, me the the one that
was scary to, me you, know coming getting ready to
do was when we Had Katie hassen on she was
the associate director of The center For genetics And. Society
she was talking about the ethics of innovation and which
was disability technology and reprotective, justice and SO i was

(25:00):
which we started talking. GENETICS i kind of, like, OH
i don't know That i'm gonna be able to understand.
This i'm gonna be able to wrap my head around this.
Subject but she was able to break it, down and you,
know this this nuanced, topic she was able to break
it down for. Us it was so easy to, understand
and you, know she was telling both sides of the.

(25:20):
Coin it was just for me that was such a
really rich and interesting topic for us to hit and and.
Do and we have one coming. Up it's kind of
kind of close to to. Me its deals with ableism
in school. Mascots, uh there's, well there's a group Called

(25:43):
More than A mascot and And Mascots. Matter they are
talking about high schools that still use the term midget
as their. Mascots and as a person with dwarf, ism
you know there's people that have issues with it and then.
Don't but for, me that was it's a very personal
episode and. Too i'm usually the only one talking about

(26:04):
it in my friend, group you, know Because i'm, not you,
know friends with that many people With. Dwarfism but to
hear other people's take on, it someone with dwarfism and
someone who has a child with, dwarfism and you, know
you think it's just the. Mascot they had mentioned things
in there about how you know a lot of elementary
schools use, like for, instance if their mascot was like a,

(26:28):
buck they would be, like you, know these Are bucky
bucks and you can earn them for good behavior and.
Whatever but when your mascot is midget and you're earning
these little you know what they call midget bucks or
whatever they, use how you, know just even the, classroom
it's not just a. Mascot, now it's being taught in
the classroom and this behavior is brought forward more and more.

(26:49):
So to, me that was a deep and personal. Episode
So i'm excited about what's coming down the pipe for
us with new guests that we have on the. Show
show that we're kind of running the gamut from really
complex ideas to really just basic core ideas about, Ableism
And i'm excited about.

Speaker 1 (27:10):
That, sure absolutely all of that's very. Interesting let's go
back to something that you both were mentioning the episode
in regards to reproductive rights and that whole, intersection as you,
said between disability and reproductive rights so. Short SURELY i

(27:32):
remember The Supreme court ruling case a few years, back
AND i remember everybody talking about this topic, Certainly so
why don't you walk through that episode a little bit?
More BECAUSE i found that one to be really. Interesting
what exactly did you learn after recording the episode about you,
know reproductive, rights uh and and? Disability what you, know

(27:54):
how does all of these things impact? Disability what do
you really really break that? Down that's really? Interesting?

Speaker 2 (28:01):
Sure, Yeah and And i'll preface real quick by saying
THAT i actually was not on the. EPISODE i ended,
UP i forget. WHY i THINK i was sick or.
Something And maddie host that one by, herself so of
course listened to, it you know a few times and,
familiar BUT i, Wasn't like, UNFORTUNATELY i WISH i had
of all the episodes LIKE i unfortunately, missed but it

(28:24):
was such a great. Episode so uh So i'll just
kind of preface by saying THAT i unfortunately wasn't in
that conversation like, firsthand but you, know the things that
were talked, about LIKE i, say it was really. DEEP
i mean we talked about you, know reproductive rights and
and and it grew into things like for, sterilization, infanticide

(28:49):
things that were really deep and sometimes dark. Subjects so
it was you, know it was it was very. Heavy
but at the same, time the four panel us were
we're so well like spoken and and and and like
like relatable that it's a it's a it's it's not

(29:13):
an episode that's hard to listen, to if that makes.

Speaker 5 (29:16):
SENSE i, mean IT'S i don't want.

Speaker 2 (29:18):
TO i mean there's parts that can be challenging to listen,
to but but they present it in such a, way,
uh and and even throw in their own personality and
and and sometimes even humor and in places where you
wouldn't expect, it and it's a it's just a really
the conversation is, incredible and LIKE i, Say i've gone
back and listened to, it you, know several, times because

(29:40):
it's a it's a really great episode AND i don't
have AND i don't to hear my own, voice so
that helps a lot BECAUSE i don't like listening back
to to myself so much AND i edit the, episode
So i'm, Like, okay Once i've heard it back that,
Time i'm usually, good but this.

Speaker 5 (29:54):
One i'm not. On so it's a lot more fun
to listen.

Speaker 1 (29:56):
To.

Speaker 5 (29:57):
Uh but, yeah they kind of got a little deep
into like.

Speaker 2 (30:00):
How the ruling affects the disability community as a, whole
how that there's that intersection that people don't necessarily think.
About and, honestly it's it's a theme we've had for
a few years off and on our episodes regarding you,
know the intersection of disability and and something, else you,
know whether that's we're talking about you, know marriage and

(30:21):
families or LGBT q plus, rights things like, that you,
know indigenous people's, uh you, know few there's that that's
sort of a theme where we try to show that
disability is in its own.

Speaker 5 (30:36):
Bucket you, know.

Speaker 2 (30:37):
Disability is a part OF i don't, Know i'm sort
of swaying from the episode, now but but disability is
part of the human, condition and you, know we we
we've talked before about how the thing about disability is
that in a, way it doesn't have the same defining

(30:58):
characteristics as religion or, race or sexual identity and gender
things like, that where you can put it in a,
bucket you, know and, say, oh it's, this or it's,
this or it's. This disability crosses everything and and it
even of, course you, know people who may not have
a disability later in life may acquire a disability either

(31:19):
from age or injury or or or or or whatever.
Happens and, So, uh disability is such a deeply, Rooted,
UH i don't know phenomenon if you will in a,
WAY i mean you could depending anyone to look at. It,
uh that just crosses everything and so but but but

(31:41):
it's not looked at that way too often by people
who aren't really familiar with. Disability and and you know
how it you, know how it affects and interacts with
these other you, know like like grace and and and
gender and so. On so that's something we really have
have made a point, of you, know calling out and

(32:02):
even things like reproduction and, genetics and you, know you
might not think about some of these, things but it's
there's a there's an intersection, there and and people with
disabilities uh definitely are affected.

Speaker 5 (32:16):
By you, know rulings Like roe. V wade that on the.

Speaker 2 (32:20):
Surface you may not see it as you, know it's
not a disability subject per, se but we try to
show that almost everything to some degree can be looked
at as a subject related to disability and show how
that interaction is and how you, know one conversation about
one group will affect. Another SO i know it's not

(32:44):
EXACTLY i kind of didn't straight from the episode and
talk more about the bigger picture of of the intersectionality with.
Disability but BUT i think this one became one of
those popular episodes because it really showed something that is, unique,
uh of a subject that people don't think about, regularly
and it was very timely because of course Ro V

(33:04):
wade being. Overturned this was a great conversation too throughout.
There but, yeah it really gets you, know they get into, racism,
ableism uh in that, episode and it's just it's really
really intense and it's it's such an Informative, listen you,

(33:25):
KNOW i recommend, that and you, know everyone who has
any interest in the subject of disability and civil rights
listen to the. Episode it's really good and the four
guests are just, incredible.

Speaker 3 (33:40):
And katie touches on that a little bit in the
last episode that we did of the, podcast where she
was talking about how important it is when making these
laws and making these, decisions when doing this, innovation whether
it's with technology or you, know, genetics to make sure
that people with disabilities are at the, table are having these,

(34:01):
discussions that you're talking to them how these things affect,
them because a lot of, times you, know she even,
SAID i believe she, said disability or disease doesn't equate.
Disability just because you're, disable does it mean that there's
something that inherently needs to be fixed about, you WHICH

(34:23):
i thought was an important point that she was. Making but,
again the fact that so many it crosses through, disability
and so many times people are not at the table
that really need to be there to have these discussions
and make these laws and and talk about this this
forward movement of.

Speaker 1 (34:40):
Technology, absolutely and you, know the other big problem THAT
i repeatedly see is that you both are doing an
excellent job advocating for people with. Disabilities that's never a
problem to do the right, thing that's always the right
thing to. Do the problem is that there are there
are far too many people who are disabled who are

(35:03):
willing to sit back and not advocate for, themselves and
that that's a, serious serious. Problem so this is why
lawmakers never really seem to always include people with disabilities
when they pass these various. Laws you. Know but back
to your, Point, KEITH i think what you would agree
is that people with disabilities are not immune to changes

(35:27):
In Supreme court, rulings whether it's about you, know reproductive
rights or. Not people with disabilities are always. Included if
they live, here they're always, included you. Know and that's
a very subtle and a very important, thing. Definitely. Yeah
and then that other person you mentioned who spoke a
lot about the. Environment you, know certainly people with disabilities

(35:48):
are are impacted by environmental choices such, as you, know
the plastic straws versus paper straws and things like. THAT i,
Mean i've heard of. THAT i, MEAN i always prefer.
Plastic the paper straws are. UNUSABLE i don't know why
we continue to do. That it just makes a bigger mess,
personally AND i don't think it's any better for the,
environment really. Isn't one. Second WHAT i will say is, that,

(36:22):
yeah these these little environmental, things though can be can
be really you, know blown blown out of. Proportion sometimes
and back to what YOU i forget which one of
you said, it but whoever mentioned the part about how you,
know schools and mascots need to be. Appropriate, yeah they definitely.
Do and if you're if you're coming up with a,

(36:43):
name uh for a basically a derogatory slur for a
disabled person as a, mascot maybe you shouldn't go to that.
School maybe that's a Big maybe that's a bigger statement
about the school. System. YEAH i don't ever, remember, luckily
WHERE i grew up In, MARYLAND i don't really remember

(37:05):
any strange, mascots but it certainly does not surprise me
that you guys have seen. That, yeah that's also very very. Interesting,
yeah so, yeah what other strange mascot names have you
guys heard of over the, years because that was that's

(37:25):
really weird.

Speaker 3 (37:26):
Stuff, yeah this is the only one THAT i have heard.
PARTICULARLY i, mean we all have heard the use of indigenous,
mascots even in professional, teams BUT i had only heard
about the use.

Speaker 4 (37:44):
Of the term midget. Before they go back very. Far
and there's a lot of, tradition you, know in these.

Speaker 3 (37:50):
Mascots the one school in, PARTICULAR i don't know the
name of, it but it WAS i believe in the
twenties or thirties they were the. Underdogs they beat this
really big. Team it was a Very david And goliath
type of. Situation this was before you, know they had a,
mascot so you, know the term midget, is you, know

(38:12):
the underdog but smaller than the you know. Whatever so
there's a lot of misplaced pride in their. Mascot so
that's you, know that's what you're up against when you're
trying to, say, well this is the, term this is
why the term's, wrong this is why the term's, hurtful
this is why the term's, ablest and you get hit
with this wall of but it's, tradition and we've done

(38:33):
this since the, thirties and you're you're taking, out you,
know the tradition of our hard earned win that we,
had you, know Our david And goliath. Story so it's
it's very hard to.

Speaker 4 (38:45):
To change those that.

Speaker 3 (38:46):
MINDSET i found it very interesting in that, conversation BUT
i HAVEN'T i haven't really heard. MYSELF i don't know about, You, keith.

Speaker 2 (38:55):
No other than it's not really, mascots but other than
like you, know literally or pee wee, leagues maybe also
being referred to as a quote midget.

Speaker 5 (39:04):
League but other than, THAT i can't think of any other.

Speaker 2 (39:08):
EXAMPLES i THINK i believe our guests mentioned that there
WERE i think four or five schools they. IDENTIFIED i
think that we're using the term in their mascots and
and and one had just, changed which was really. Great
so that episode will be coming in about a, week
so definitely listen for.

Speaker 5 (39:27):
THAT i don't want to spoil.

Speaker 2 (39:27):
Everything, yeah but, yeah, yeah that's ALL i know of
is what they. REFERENCED i can't say WHERE i grew up,
EITHER i HAD i had heard that any of the
SCHOOLS i. THINK i don't know if they make this
point or. NOT i feel like one of the points
they do make is that in some smaller, districts you
don't really have much choice of where you. Go like

(39:48):
there's you, know there's just like the elementary, school the middle,
school and and they're all part of the same, system
and they just you, know it's a small town and
so that's where you, go and so you, know you
don't really have much choice in that.

Speaker 5 (40:00):
Unfortunately but, yeah that's WHERE i grip was a little, different.

Speaker 1 (40:04):
So, Right but BUT i, MEAN i. THINK i, MEAN
i know that IF i had come home from school
as a little boy in the nineties and, Said, mom
the school's mascot they wanted to call the school The,
midgets she, no, no she would have been, like we're
Not we're not doing. That, yeah it's really weird THAT
i remember this now many years, ago BECAUSE i had

(40:24):
many many issues with education and things like, that which you,
know the more you get to know, me the more
you'll learn more of my. Story BUT i do, Remember,
well it's really weird THAT i can remember these weird
because it's really. Inappropriate that's WHY i. Remember. Kids people
remember the stuff that's really. Inappropriate, sure when children are

(40:48):
like going through schooling and you, know you have the
vocab list and you have to make sentences with the,
WORDS i have a. Memory AND i wonder if my
mother still remembers where it. Was i'm sure it was
in second. Grade the uh not to say that that
this justifies. It but the teacher was a, minority and
she she put the word wimp on a on a vocab,

(41:11):
list AND i took that list home and because you
have to write a sentence with each, word and then
we got to the word whimp and my mother flipped.
Out she's, like, no you, know we we don't use that.
Word you don't write you don't write that word in
a sentence at that. Age but unfortunately a lot of
times people who work AND i can tell you a lot,
more a lot more one on, one but people who

(41:34):
work in the education field in many cases have a
lot of you, know they're not always there for the right,
reasons you, know just to put it very. Lightly so
this has always been an ongoing and ongoing issue in
my in my life advocating for people getting in appropriate
education and things like, that and this has this has
always been a, problem you, know these weird little things like. That,

(41:57):
yeah but, unfortunate really it never really. Ends so it's
always the, constant a constant, struggle you. Know, yeah, yeah,
okay one, moment what are Some so, yeah you guys

(42:28):
have interviewed a lot of, People but what else can
you tell? Me AND i know THAT i was asking
you a little bit more WHEN i was on your
show a week. Ago what else can you tell? Me
though more specifically about disability Rights? Florida so exactly what
services do you? Provide what do you do? Well, like
how does that actually work disability Rights.

Speaker 2 (42:45):
Florida, yeah so so it's like sort of alluded to
in the. Beginning there's this network of protection and advocacy
agencies or p and, a's and they the whole thing
started in the seven there was an institution In New
york Called willowbrook where people with disabilities and other disabilities

(43:11):
were were, housed institutionalized and mistreated. Horribly we actually did
an interview with one of the doctors that worked there
and was trying to make. Change so he really goes
well in depth into the story of. That so if
you're really, interested that's A i'll find the name of
that episode in a. Minute but but, UH i think

(43:36):
one of The, kennedys UH i forget which one senator
at the time his he had a RELATIVE i suppose
that was in the facility and he saw he went in,
firsthand and he saw the conditions and was. Appalled, also
another thing that would have drove drove the movement was

(44:00):
As Heraldo rivera at the, time did this expose A,
uh he got inside and and of, course well now
ON tv they're showing what it looked like, inside and
it was just filthy and people weren't even, dressed and
they were just you, know like laying on the ground and,
dirt and it was just it was. Disgusting and so

(44:22):
a movement happened In congress to allocate money to to
all the states and territories to help protect against. That
and and and that was the FIRST p AND a,
grant if you. Will it was what's now Called Protection
advocacy For people With felt Noal disabilities OR pad PAD.
D and they're they're now like eight or Nine i'm

(44:46):
sorry of these p AND a grants out, there but
that was the first. One and so agencies were. Formed
sometimes they're part of the, state other times they were independent.
Nonprofits and this network grew of these protection advocacy. Organizations
So Disablity Rates, florida you, speak called The Advocacy center

(45:06):
For persons With disabilities for a long long, time Became
Disability Rights florida sort of for the same reason we
changed you, first because the advocacy center by, itself you hear,
that and you just go advocacy for. What so there
was a big movement to change the name To Disability,
rights et cetera or. Similar not everyone follows the exact,

(45:26):
format so we Became Display Rate's. Florida BUT i mean
we're we're almost fifty years old now as an, organization
and so the different grants that we receive enable us
to provide direct advocacy services to people with disabilities free of.

(45:49):
Charge it doesn't. Matter unlike the Egal aid that has income,
requirements we don't have, That so it doesn't matter how
much money you have or don't. Have if you have
a disability and your rights are, violated you can come to.

Speaker 5 (46:05):
Us and see what we can. Do.

Speaker 2 (46:07):
Now we, are AS i, said we're a nonprofit. Organization
all the funding comes from these federal, grants and of
course they're very specific in what you can and can't,
do so WE i can't promise that you, know we
can help with absolutely. Anything so if you're if you
have a disability and you're going through a, divorce well
that's not a disability issue per, se so we can't
really help with. That that's kind of one example of

(46:28):
its kind of an.

Speaker 5 (46:30):
Easy one to to to.

Speaker 2 (46:32):
Provide but if you're an, institution or you're not getting
home and community based, services or or you're a, student
or you're a parent of a child with disability in,
school who's not getting a reasonable you, know accommodation in
school or or least restrict environment you know in the.

(46:55):
School things like, that and a number of other, things voting,
access we, mentioned mental health, advocacy so. On there's so
many things we do throughout those, grants even representative payees
for social. Security there's a lot of fraud in that,
area and so we investigate, that go to different institutions

(47:18):
and group homes and community living, residences and we'll investigate
that a little bit and often find that these individual
disabilities who have assigned either the institution as their representative
paye or, relatives, friends, anything they'll discover the fraud that

(47:38):
oh they're not really giving them all their, money they're
taking somewhere for. Themselves so that's kind of a you,
know sort of a, unique relatively newer. GRANT i think
it came out in the late twenty, tens and so,
YEAH i mean it's a wide variety of things we.
Do so the services themselves can range from helping with self,
advocacy helping individuals like how do you you, know advocate for?

(48:02):
Yourselves but you, know we have a lot of attorneys
on staff and we do mediations. Negotiations there are some
things occasionally that rise to the level of, litigation and
so you, know sometimes we will go to court and,
fight and we've been a part of class action suits
before related to people with. Disabilities the other things we,

(48:25):
do we have a public policy team that goes to
the State florida state legislative sessions and you, know advocates
for people with disabilities as laws are being created and
and you, know so that's another big. Step we try
to do a lot of legislative. Advocacy and then of,

(48:47):
course you, know, education, information, communications those things as. Well you, Know,
aaron you mentioned how important self advocacy. IS i, mean
we've done webinars on self, advocacy how to help, peopeople you,
know learn good techniques to advocate for. Themselves we have
a resource on our website all about self advocacy and

(49:08):
this sort of ten steps program if if you, will
the Ten steps toward self. Advocacy so, yeah so that's
THAT'S i, mean if anyone listening is, Interested Disability Rates
florida dot org slash ten, steps that'll take you to those.
Pages so, YEAH i mean THAT'S i think that's oh

(49:31):
one one other really big thing that is very unique
to the. State p and a's is something called access.
Authority so our grants give us what's called access, authority
which means we can go into any, institution, hospital group, home,
it's et, cetera where there are people with. Disabilities we

(49:52):
can go in and we don't need to be. Invited
we don't need to be you, know like like, ASKED i,
mean we literally can just walk in the door and
show this is who we, are this is our, authority
and they can't stop. Us and that is extremely unique
in in in agencies like. Us so it's a really

(50:14):
it's it's it's a really big deal and something that you,
know really helps to FIND i think you know what
THE p AND a system is and and and the
things that we're able to do to help people with.
Disabilities so, yeah it's a it's a REALLY i, mean
it's a great, network it's a great. Agency you, know
there's funding challenges here and there, SOMETIMES i, mean you,

(50:35):
know federal, government different different administrations come and. Go you,
know sometimes funding can be, threatened but you, know we
get through. It and you, know LIKE i, say we've
been around for almost fifty. Years i've been there for twenty,
Three so it's a you, know we're, Resilient we're gonna
stick around and and and be there to.

Speaker 3 (50:56):
Help, YEAH i have nothing to. Add you covered you
covered the gamut with social. Media that was perfect for social.
MEDIA i just TRIES i do social. MEDIA i do the,
BLOGS i do the external. Newsletters WHAT i try to
do is educate, on you, know the grants of the

(51:18):
services we. Offer but for, me the big push is self.
ADVOCACY i think that's the foundation of it. All you
have to be able to self. Advocate so just to
kind of tag on what keep is. Saying that's that's
my bread and butter for the social media and just
to you, know give educate what the, right what your rights,
are and how to just ask for them because a

(51:40):
lot of people just don't even. Ask they just, figure
OH i don't get, THAT i don't deserve, THAT i
don't need, that and they just don't.

Speaker 4 (51:47):
Ask so that's kind of WHAT i push, for is
to self. Advocacy.

Speaker 1 (51:54):
Absolutely, yeah all of that's incredibly. Fascinated and, YEAH i
do know What willowbrook. Was really it's going to sound really.
Strange have either one of you interviewed or came across
the Name Bill, krepps.

Speaker 5 (52:13):
That amory. Spell but we have that interview.

Speaker 1 (52:16):
Now he was on my podcast a while, back a
couple of years. Ago he's a man with a cognitive,
disability and he was never sent To penhurst In, pennsylvania
but he knows people who, were and he and he's
an advocate for people with cognitive, disabilities and he is

(52:38):
a expert about institutionalism and whytt why it failed and
all those. Things and he speaks about his whole life
in a very beautiful and serious. Way and that was
a fascinating person that you guys should definitely definitely interview
if you ever want to talk, about you, know the
history of institutions and things like. That.

Speaker 2 (52:58):
Yeah, absolutely, Wow, yeah that's.

Speaker 1 (53:01):
Wonderful that's Really i'm really actually impressed and surprised that
you were able to even find a doctor From willipbrook
who was still around to this very, day who was
still willing to be interviewed about that, place because that was.

Speaker 2 (53:13):
A, yeah, no for, sure pure pure.

Speaker 1 (53:17):
Curiosity how did how did you how did you arrange?
That because people never wanted to talk about it after
it was shut, Down, like how did you preface? That?

Speaker 2 (53:26):
WELL i have TO i have to say That maddie
was the one that that. Booked his name was Doctor William.
Bronston she's the one that booked. Them BUT i think
he had come out with he's still he was still doing,
talks and he had written a couple of books and
and and so he's he's still actively you, know advocating

(53:47):
for the rights people with disabilities and so but, yeah you're,
RIGHT i mean it's it's you, know he's definitely he's
an older. Gentleman uh you, know this happened fifty years,
ago and but he's he's still out. There and, uh,
yeah She i'm not sure how she got the contact,
information If i'm being, honest but, yeah, she, uh she

(54:12):
was able to get in touch with. Him and, yeah his.
Book uh the book was Called Public, Hostage Public, Ransom
Ending Institutional, america which is a really impactful. Book it's
incredible and, uh you, know it's another episode that honestly

(54:34):
Was it's another one that like a content warning really you,
KNOW i mean it it includes you, know some strong,
language uh you, know explicit explicit mentions of violence against
and and you, know the death of people with, disabilities
medical trauma and even, EUGENICS i, mean is a part
of the. Story it was really. Incredible we talked to

(54:56):
him for like an hour and a. Half and, uh
the name of the, episode by the, WAY i, SAID
i WOULD i would mention it for what was. Interested
it's Called willowbrook in The future Of Disability, rights and,
uh it's really LIKE i, say it's a really really
deep conversation HE i, mean we we we mostly kind
of shut up and let him talk because he just

(55:17):
had such great stories and you, know he just it's,
fascinating the the inside information that he, has uh from
from just the Whole willowbrook story FROM i, mean you,
know beginning to. End it's it's it's it's. Incredible and

(55:37):
he references other great uh materials out there as. Well
FOR i, mean there's even A i don't know the name,
offhand but there's even a book of fiction that someone
wrote based In willowbrook in the, seventies and so it's
not a real, story but it's but it's illustrative of
the things that happened. There so there's there's there's some

(55:59):
really fascinating information out there THAT i was not at
all aware. Of and LIKE i, Say i've been in,
this you, KNOW p and a world for twenty three,
years AND i was, LIKE i had not heard of you,
know some of some of this some of the stuff
he'd referred. To so it's you, know it's it's really good.
Material AND i think anyone with even a fleeting interest

(56:22):
in disability or institutionalization in the history of that, stuff
even if you're just a history, BUFF i think in a,
way you would actually enjoy the. Episode it's it's really,
great absolutely.

Speaker 1 (56:32):
Absolutely you also said That Disability Rights florida has occasionally
gone to court and gone through some legal proceedings to
protect people with disabilities and to advocate for. People are
you able to explain any of those various cases That
Disability Rights florida has you, know participated.

Speaker 2 (56:49):
In, YEAH i, mean you, know we we we were
part of Some florida Based olmsted. Rulings when you, know
that's LIKE i guess twenty years ago or more, now
and so you know that was that was. Huge we've

(57:11):
we've done some some uh litigation against the Floor department
Of corrections related to treatment of individuals. Disabilities, GOSH I
i hadn't really thought about this in, advance, unfortunately But,
yeah there's you know that we we've LIKE i say,

(57:33):
that we've been involved with a number of uh really you,
know class action STYLE uh cases that have you, know
hopefully impacted a lot of people in the state with
disabilities and helped them. Out i'd uh LIKE i, SAY
i hadn't really thought about that before we started. Talking, so,

(57:58):
UH i can't think of anything else off the top
of my head right, now BUT i can, THERE i
can look a little bit and, yeah go.

Speaker 3 (58:05):
Ahead there was the case with we combined with A
Florida Health Justice project for GETTING uh medical supplies Through
medicaid that was In, october the income.

Speaker 4 (58:17):
SUPPLIES.

Speaker 3 (58:18):
Uh we we had a class action lawsuit Against Florida's
agency For Healthcare, ADMINISTRATION uh for THAT i know that
was relatively.

Speaker 4 (58:27):
Recent mm.

Speaker 2 (58:28):
Hmm we had a lawsuit against The Florida Department children
And families regarding what's called The Baker act here IN
uh In. Florida, essentially it's a it's an institutionalization law that, like,
UH i won't go to the details of the, law

(58:49):
but like you, know they were they were kind of
failing to track the proper use of The, act and
so we there's a lawsuit related to that. Too, gosh let's, See,
yeah we've done a. LOT i, mean you know, counties,

(59:12):
uh you, know.

Speaker 5 (59:15):
School.

Speaker 2 (59:16):
DISTRICTS i, mean you, know it's it's a Broad, uh
there's there's a there's a broad, away broad array of
litigation that has we we've been a part of either
were you, know co counsels on or you, know The

(59:36):
olmsted decision LIKE i. Mentioned uh so it's, yeah it's
it's a lot there and and and some things are you,
know there's some current things obviously can't talk, about but it's,
yeah that that's a it's a it's a it's a
small percentage of the cases we, do but they're the
ones that hopefully make really big impacts on large groups of.

Speaker 5 (59:58):
People and you, know.

Speaker 1 (01:00:01):
Yeah, absolutely and it's the smallest things that we ever
do that actually have the biggest. Impact so that's so
accurate and that's so. True. Yeah, yeah, good, Great, okay,
well very. Good AND i think THAT i think that
covers a lot of what you guys are. Doing so

(01:00:23):
who are some GUESTS i, mean you guys have interviewed,
me but in, general what are some topics that you
want to be able to speak about on your Podcast
Moving forward that you hope to be able to Include Moving.
Forward what do you Think.

Speaker 3 (01:00:38):
I'd like to see just a wide variety of. People
i've got some you, know people penciled in to kind
of talk to.

Speaker 4 (01:00:47):
You BUT i want to make sure.

Speaker 3 (01:00:50):
Because i've heard the first TIME i heard this Was,
keith is that the disability isn't a, monolith that there's
so many types of.

Speaker 4 (01:00:57):
People we talk.

Speaker 3 (01:00:58):
About the intersectionality of. IT i really just want to
get the, real you, know gamut of of of disability
as much as we, can not just, experts not just,
advocates just people with lived, experience uh, things people that
are doing things for, others people that are, making like you're,
saying the small. Changes So i've just GOT i got

(01:01:21):
quite a few people penciled. In i'm going to try
to do as good As maddie and get some really
good guests for.

Speaker 4 (01:01:26):
Us BUT i don't have any any particular you, know
star in the sky That i'm trying to.

Speaker 1 (01:01:33):
Get all, Right, okay that's. Understandable he's back to you
with your, background So keith. Said So jody explained a
little bit more about her film. Background but what what
can you tell me about your, background your educational, background
how you started.

Speaker 2 (01:01:49):
Out, yeah, WELL i got my bachelor's in psychology and then.

Speaker 5 (01:01:57):
It's kind of kind of just didn't.

Speaker 2 (01:01:59):
Forbody year and a half or, SO i was just,
Like i'm going to find something to do with the
bachelor's in. Psychology and a year and a half, later
WHEN i couldn't find, anything anything at least of you,
know FELT i don't know interesting and you, know something
i'd really wanted to, DO i started thinking about graduate.
School and around the same TIME i was looking into

(01:02:21):
some graduate, programs my father had had a stroke in
his brain stem and he, survived which is like a
it's like a five Percent this is back in the early,
nineties so at the time at least it was like
a five percent you, know survival rate for. This and he,
survived but it left him with a number of. Disabilities

(01:02:44):
he was essentially. Quadriplegic he his vision was, poor his
hearing was, poor he couldn't really. SPEAK i, mean it
was like this systemic you know. EFFECT i, mean it's
a brain, stem, right so like all those you, know
like base functions you, know were. Affected what wasn't affected

(01:03:08):
was his. Intelligence he WAS i, mean he was actually
a very Smart he was a. Chemist he worked At
boeing back during The Space race and helped develop rocket
fuel for The. APOLLO i, mean he was a smart,
guy and he was he remained a very smart. Guy
but it was like he couldn't, then you, know he couldn't,
Communicate he couldn't you, know, unfortunately you, know like like

(01:03:30):
interact with the world. Anymore so it was really, LIKE
i don't, know.

Speaker 5 (01:03:33):
It was it was.

Speaker 2 (01:03:34):
Impactful it really just was, like you, know MADE i don't,
know think about a lot of different things and and,
change you, know a bit of the path THAT i went.
Down so around the same time that, HAPPENED i just
happened to get this thing in the mail about this
new program that was Starting Louisiana State. UNIVERSITY i grew
up In New. Orleans Louisiana State university had a medical

(01:03:56):
center In New, orleans and they were just starting a
brand new program excuse, me Called masters And Vocational, rehabilitation
WHICH i was, like on the, surface didn't really quite
even know what that, Meant but AS i dug into,
it saw that essentially it was it was for you,
know a job that would help people with, disabilities get

(01:04:19):
back to, work that kind of. Thing and essentially what it,
was it's vocational rehab WHICH i just didn't know the.
TERMS i didn't really know what that was back, then
but it was essentially helping to do that vocational rehabilitation.
Work but it also talked a lot about counseling and

(01:04:39):
being a therapist specifically related to people with. Disabilities at the,
time that's really.

Speaker 5 (01:04:44):
WHAT i wanted to.

Speaker 2 (01:04:45):
DO i had got a psychology degree AND i wanted
to do, that do some kind of you, know like
counseling therapy type. Work and the promise of this was
that by the time you, graduated you'd have enough hours
of that to, be you, know an actual. Counselor but
you have this specialization and disability and so. ON i was, like,

(01:05:05):
well that's really really. Interesting i'm, gonna you, Know i'm
Gonna i'm gonna check into. This and so the program,
was you, KNOW i, mean we had courses you know on,
like you, know one course was The Psychosocial aspects Of
disability and, uh you know things like. That so there's
a lot of disability curriculum in, there and then there
was also a lot of you, know therapy, counseling et.

(01:05:26):
Cetera but then there was also this vocational aspect of it.
Too it was a really interesting program AND i LIKE
i learned a. Lot in the, end the promise of
being a counselor didn't pan. OUT i guess it turned
out that they didn't provide us with enough of that hourly.
Stuff but kind of didn't matter because the last semester
was an, internship and the internship was with The LOUISIANA

(01:05:49):
p AND a also called The Advocacy center at the
time the only two advocacy centers in the of the
fifty six you know. GROUPS i ended up working for
both of. Them but so The louisiana based At centert
it's now Called. Displatter It's louisiana along with the like
kind of the. Trend BUT i was an intern with

(01:06:09):
The Client Assistance, program which was essentially people who HELP
uh with vocational rehab and and and and you, know
clients of that who were not you, know not getting
helped where they wanted TO uh came To Advocacy center
and you, know THE cat program was the group of
advocates that helped, fight you, KNOW uh for their rights

(01:06:31):
and go met with the vocational counselors and you, know
kind of convinced, them you, know what they should do
differently to help this person.

Speaker 5 (01:06:39):
Better so that was my.

Speaker 2 (01:06:40):
Internship so that got me into THE p AND a
system AND i stayed there after, graduation you, know got
a quote real job after that and did work there
and then later moved To florida and ended up working
with This Rights. Florida but that's that's kind of that's
kind of my. Path and so sort of between you,

(01:07:02):
know my father's you, know disabilities and this program kind
of just like, literally like in the mail just.

Speaker 5 (01:07:10):
Arrived it all just sort of clicked and and put
me WHERE i am.

Speaker 2 (01:07:16):
Now so LIKE i, mean at the, time it's NOT
i didn't envision any of, this but HERE i, Am
and LIKE i, say it's in twenty three years in
just this. Place SO i mean, REALLY i don't know
many more years than that Since i've. Graduated but, yeah
so it's it's that's that's that's my path in a nuts.

Speaker 1 (01:07:35):
Shell that's, great, absolutely. Absolutely you, know it's oftentimes these
little things we get in the mail or that one
text or that one email where you, think, hey what
is this and then it turns out to be a
really good, opportunity you, know and you turned out to
be Someone keith who you're really interested in, it you

(01:07:57):
really want to help, others and it turned out to
be a perfect thing for. You so that's that's really really. Good,
yeah what can you tell me about you, know your.
Audience as you, said you've had to rebrand your podcast
over the, years but you, know, generally are you getting
downloads from other countries all over the world or just
The United? States what have you guys found for your you,

(01:08:18):
know demographics of who listens to your.

Speaker 2 (01:08:20):
Show, yeah we actually there's a there's some international listeners out.
There it's it's the vast majority is in The United,
states but there are other listeners out, there AND i
think a lot of That we had a we had a,
wild really good numbers in The United kingdom and Also,
australia AND i think a lot of that was some
of the you, know was That Elizabeth wright and and

(01:08:42):
and her notoriety in those countries helped a.

Speaker 5 (01:08:45):
Lot we've interviewed.

Speaker 2 (01:08:49):
An individual From nigeria and so we had some, nice uh,
listening you, know some some listeners in that area of
the world as. Well and, yeah so, yeah there's there's there's. Definitely,
UH i haven't. HAVEN'T i haven't checked in a couple
of months to come to think of, it but, YEAH
i have noticed, that you, know we we do seem

(01:09:10):
to have a a broad listenership out there outside Of,
america Mostly english speaking, countries but, Yeah South, america the mother. Plate,
yeah it's, yeah it's it's around and we you, know
we've interviewed. People we interviewed a couple of people From.
Brazil uh, gosh there was an. INTERVIEW i think she

(01:09:33):
was living In. Columbia, so you, know one of the
things that we we really tried to do for a
while there was get that sort of international perspective and
talk to, people you, know outside of of you, know
just our country, here and so that's probably helped a
lot when it came to, that you, know.

Speaker 5 (01:09:50):
Listenership, Absolutely.

Speaker 1 (01:09:55):
Who did you interview From?

Speaker 5 (01:09:56):
NIGERIA i knew you gonna ask me, that SO i.
Started i'm so. BAD i. Apologize i'm so bad with.

Speaker 2 (01:10:05):
Names AND i have to like go back and look
BECAUSE i can remember everything about the, conversation but you
asked me a, name And i'm, like, uh So i'm
like zipping back through the list of podcasts here AND
i will tell you in whenever decides. TOO i don't

(01:10:28):
know why my computer is being so bad right. Now
it's not very. Nice doesn't Know i'm on a podcast right, now, Exact,
yeah trying to sabotage.

Speaker 5 (01:10:38):
Me, jeez.

Speaker 2 (01:10:42):
All, Right i'm just going to a different place to.
Look here we Go International Disability media And. Advocacy Alan.
Abert Alan abert was his, name And i'm sorry he Was.
Kenyan my, apologies. Gosh he's A kenyan, journalist social inclusion,
advocate and a behavior change communications. Professional and one of

(01:11:05):
the one of his u claims to fame is he
was the chief executive officer Of Black albinism In. Kenya
and so we talked a lot about the perception of,
disability not just In kenya but in other parts Of,
africa and you, know the it's, it's it's it's.

Speaker 5 (01:11:25):
In a very different. Place.

Speaker 2 (01:11:26):
Uh we actually asked him to give us a translation
of something about AND i forget what the sentence, was
but it was something something something. Disabilities and he, SAID
i actually don't want to do that because, unfortunately the
translated word for disability is actually still something that's considered
like rude or slur AND i was like really fascinated

(01:11:47):
to hear, that you, know so that WE i THINK
i forget what we asked him to translate, instead but
BUT i was fascinated to learn, that like you, know in,
yeah what year was, this twenty twenty, three know that
that was still an issue in any part of the,
world that there's not even a word for disability in
that in that, language that's not considered something. Derogatory but, yeah,

(01:12:12):
yeah that was a really fascinating. CONVERSATION i, mean he
was also A tv, host uh, there and just a
really fascinating. Individual another really fun episode that we we
recorded and learned learned a.

Speaker 1 (01:12:24):
Lot, absolutely that's that's. Amazing. Yeah, yeah we can definitely
talk off air about some of these various conversations because
this is all very very interesting to. Me, true, true,
true truly. Fascinating, Absolutely, yeah yeah for. Sure so where

(01:12:45):
do you guys hope your podcast will keep. Going what
are some of your future goals for your podcast moving?
Forward what do you think.

Speaker 2 (01:12:55):
For?

Speaker 3 (01:12:55):
Me i'd like, you you, know touched on. INTERNATIONAL i
would like to see it kind of branch, OUT i
think before with it having maybe the disability Rights florida
in the name kind of meant that people assumed we
were just talking about things that happened In. Florida So
i'm hoping with the new rebranding that people start to

(01:13:19):
realize that, it's you, know we're talking globally about. Things
so that's kind of Where i'm hoping that it kind
of branches out across the country and then.

Speaker 1 (01:13:29):
Internationally absolutely absolutely all, right all, Right, WELL i think
that covers a lot of WHAT i would always cover
on a great. Episode So i'm going to start with, You,
jodie Or i'll throw it out there and whoever can
come up with a great question can go. First but
both of you are going to ask a great. Question

(01:13:51):
So i'm sure that there are some questions you have about,
Me Aaron richmond And aaron's. Opinion for one, thing what
do you really want to know About Aaron richmond And aaron's?
Opinion and if you can ask me only one question
to really make me, sweat to see If i'm worth
my salt as a, podcast what do you really want
to know about?

Speaker 4 (01:14:12):
Me, Well i'll throw the question back on. You where
do you See aaron's? Opinion going where would you like
to see it?

Speaker 1 (01:14:19):
Go continuing to record great episodes more, Internationally i've seen
a lot of traction, overseas and the fact That i'm
getting great guests like you, guys and the fact that
you guys are more and more people are reaching to me,
first you, know contacting me. First that's a big sign
that This Aaron's opinion thing And Disability Deep dive are

(01:14:41):
two podcasts that are needed in the, ecosystem for, sure
because people need to be having these great conversations for. Sure,
absolutely all, right that would Be but if you can ask,
me you, know anything else that you really want to?
Know what do you really want to?

Speaker 2 (01:14:55):
Ask, well it's funny cause we asked you so many
questions that, Episode So i'm trying to think of what
can be asked that would be, uh you, know different from.

Speaker 5 (01:15:07):
THAT i, MEAN I i would.

Speaker 2 (01:15:10):
You, know we're talking a lot here about podcasting and you,
know and specifically disability related. Podcasting so, like what would you.

Speaker 1 (01:15:24):
Do you? Have do you?

Speaker 5 (01:15:26):
All?

Speaker 2 (01:15:26):
Right here's here's here's like a two part. Question do
you have a favorite besides yours or our? Podcast because of,
course you know for each other's. Favorites, obviously but what
would YOU i, mean what is your what is your
favorite disability themed? Podcast and the other part would be,
like what would you advise other people with disabilities to

(01:15:49):
go into? Podcasting?

Speaker 5 (01:15:51):
Uh and?

Speaker 1 (01:15:51):
WHY i, MEAN i don't THINK i specifically have a
specific favorite disability, podcast.

Speaker 5 (01:16:00):
Only Stand, yeah many of them.

Speaker 1 (01:16:03):
Do many of them. Do in, fact most of them
that are podcasting now and still doing it stand. Out you.
Know that's the overarching, reality you. KNOW i would the
advice THAT i would give to anybody who wants to
get into, podcasting whether they're disabled or, not just to
keep an open mind and to really enjoy. It you
have to really like building the episodes because at, first

(01:16:26):
for a few, years nobody listens to. You it takes
a very long time to build a, community to build a,
following you. Know and and that's WHAT i would, say
is that you have to you, know you have to
take baby. Steps you, know it's always okay if you're
taking baby steps in the right. Direction that's WHAT i
Will that's WHAT i will tell. You, yeah, Cool do

(01:16:55):
either one of you have any other? Questions, NO i
don't think so that totally. Fine all, Right, well then
in that, case both of you have done an excellent.
JOB i really appreciate you guys coming today and all of.
That you guys did a tremendous job promoting your podcast
and promoting What Disability Rights florida and all of. That

(01:17:15):
so how can somebody get in touch with you guys
the podcast And Disability Rights. Florida how can you be?

Speaker 2 (01:17:21):
Reached, well if you want to talk about the podcast,
specifically we do have an email address podcast At Disability
Rights florida dot. Org so if anyone out there is
interested in you know it has a, topic, idea or
or thinks they would be a compelling, guest feel free
to email us and you know we'll get back to.

(01:17:43):
You as far as, discipliter It's florida. Itself if you're
an individual In, florida of course you'd be a resident Of.
Florida but if you're In florida and looking for some
help with a disaplity related, issue, writes, violation things like,
that you can contact us directly one eight hundred three

(01:18:05):
four two zero eight two Three is there a total free?
Number our website Is Distability. Right It's florida dot. Org on,
there you can even do an online intake if you
prefer to do that instead of you, know speaking to
an intake person through the phone and, uh you, know
we get back to you in a few, days you,
know and see what see what's. Available one THING i

(01:18:30):
can say, is even if it's an issue that we
don't help with or can't help with for whatever, reason
one of the great things about us and all the
other p and a's is that we provide information and.
Referral so if we can't, help we will tell you
who we think. Could so when you hang up the,

(01:18:50):
phone you've got some other resources to. Try AND i
don't think a lot OF i, mean some agencies do,
that but a lot of them. Don't and SO i
think that's kind of really cool that you, know we.
Don't we don't want to leave anybody empty handed when
they contact. US i will throw out, too since you
know that's For florida, Specifically but if you're interested in

(01:19:13):
the services of a different states protection advocacy, system the
best way to find the one in your. Area so
there's The National Disability Rights network that's sort of, like you,
know they're in D. C and they're they're you, know
sort of a, uh they're not really a parent agency per,

(01:19:33):
se but they're you, know sort of our national. Counterpart
their website is n d R n dot org and
or at the top of the page at the upper,
left or one of the first links you'll discover if you're,
navigating you know with the screen reader or other, technology
is a link called find YOUR p AND A and

(01:19:54):
when you click on, that, uh it'll give you a
little blurb about the, network and then there's a and
you of all the different states and territories and when
you select, yours it'll pop up with all the information
you need to contact that, agency so you don't have
to be In, florida you, know to to to find.
Help and that's the way to you, know figure out

(01:20:15):
what's the right agency to.

Speaker 1 (01:20:17):
Contact and if you.

Speaker 3 (01:20:19):
Just want information and education on how to self advocate
and what's kind of going on Around, florida you can
sign up for our news letter on our, website send
that out at the end of every. Month and we're
on social. Media we're On, facebook we're on x we're
On instagram and.

Speaker 4 (01:20:36):
YouTube.

Speaker 1 (01:20:38):
Yep, excellence very very good from both of. You all, Right,
well from my what on one, moment absolutely from my
heart to. YOURS i want to say thank you so
much for joining me today On Aaron's. Opinion you guys

(01:21:00):
did a great. Job thank you so, much and we
will certainly be in contact and all of. That so
thank you for joining us today AND i certainly hope
that you continue to produce wonderful episodes Of Disability Deep
dive and h just thank you so. Much you guys
did a great. Job in until next, time, everybody help
one person, today help one million people. Tomorrow you've been

(01:21:24):
listening to The Deepest dive ever With jody And keith
right here on The Aeron's opinion, podcast the podcast for
blind people where we speak about critical issues in the
blindness community and all other issues from across the universe and. Galaxy,
jody you did a great. Job, keith you did a great.
Job Disability Deep dot you did a great. Job we'll
get to you in a moment for that electronic business.

(01:21:44):
Card don't forget ask me for. It one two four
zero six eight one nine eight six nine one two
four zero six eight one nine eight six y Nine
Aaron's opinion six at gmail dot. COM A A R
O n S o P I N I O n
six that's the number, Six Aaron's opinion six at gmail dot.
Com don't forget about following along On instagram At Aaron's,
Opinion and of COURSE i don't forget about joining the

(01:22:05):
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Page like The facebook, page and write a review of
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(01:22:26):
about the important work we do here At Aaron's opinion
is for you at home to brate and, review rate and.
Review that's the kind thing to. Do we want to
take this time and thank all those downloads this. Week
AS i, said thank You United, states thank You, canada
and thank You australia all the way down under there
for downloading a lot of these episodes this. Week and
AS i always like to, say if you want to
be the next country THAT i recommend or the next

(01:22:47):
country THAT i mentioned in the download, contest well that
means you need to start downloading and start. Listening it
is very, competitive but you can do it we even
had it's a strange. Thing we've had times where The
United states was not number one, too and that does occasionally.
Happen it happened about a month and a half, AGO i. Think,
anyway that is that is a very very interesting matter
and a very very interesting. Thing so, yes definitely that by,

(01:23:09):
downloading don't forget to follow along on TikTok if you,
want and of course if you really want to know
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let me know, anyway join that patreon for, free be

(01:23:31):
a free, member and then you will never miss an
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along ON x as. WELL i think we're going to
actually try to tag a disability deep dive day ON.
X i think they did send me THEIR x, actually
SO i THINK i can get that set up for.
You and that's an interesting, way a good way to
get you, know get the information out to the. Followers

(01:23:53):
by the, WAY i just wanted to mention it just
popped into my. MIND i didn't even KNOW i was
going to say this, today but it just it just
occurred to. Me my podcast or brain and podcast or
ear if you want to join the discord For aaron's
opinion and come talk to, me if you have questions
and you want to come talk to me in the
voice channel of our podcast community On, discord please let me.
KNOW i would say the best way to get in

(01:24:15):
touch about that is just to send me a direct
message somewhere and say that you, know email me or
send me a message and say that you really want
to talk to me On, discord provided that it's a
genuine contact and someone who truly, listens a great listener
of the. Show generally, SPEAKING i would be more than
happy to get you set up on The. Discord but
it is a little bit, more you, know it can
be a little bit difficult from time to. Time so

(01:24:36):
just if you want to talk to me On, discord
let me know and we'll definitely get that set. Up
we want to take this time to say thank you
To disability Deep dive for joining us. Today first of,
ALL i first want to express and extend my greatest
sense of appreciation and gratitude For disability Deep dive interviewing
me first. TODAY i wasn't going to make a big
deal of it BECAUSE i wanted to share both episodes.

(01:24:58):
Equally but the reality videos is That disability Deep dive
interviewed me first and THEN i interviewed them. Second so
that's very very. Special so we're going to actually publish
and we're going to share out the episodes in the
order that they, happened which is very. INTERESTING i don't
know If disability Deep dive does a. YouTube i don't
know if they. Do were not one way or the.
Other if you're, listening If jody Or keith wants to

(01:25:21):
comment and tell me that they're on, YouTube, great let me,
know AND i can certainly share their YouTube. Video But
i'm not sure that they took the. Video we, do we,
did and we have a YouTube obviously of our conversation
With jody And, keith you, know but definitely let me.
Know so today we want to take this time to
say thank you To disability Deep dive for kicking it
off today and interviewing us. First and THEN i also

(01:25:42):
want to say thank you To Disability Deep dive for
joining me a week later on the podcast and all of,
that so we really couldn't have done it without. You
we want to take this time to thank all of
those other podcasters and radio stations we're continuing to Syndicate
aaron's opinion each week or day here around The commune
Of Aaron's. Opinion it's a growing community And i'm very

(01:26:03):
proud of you for being a part of. It so
just keep keep on spreading this knowledge and keep it,
again just keep. Podcasting this is why this is a
great media form and just a great just a great.
Hobby it's just a great thing to do in life,
Today so just keep doing. It it's doing. Great we
want to take this time to thank all those, guests, past,
present and future for continuing to share knowledge with us about,
this you, know continuing to share your knowledge on the

(01:26:24):
podcast each week or. Day whenever you do share and
share your, knowledge the whole world is appreciative of, it
so thank you so. Much and of, course last but not,
least least but not, last thank you to all those
listeners from The United states sixty eight, Votes thank, You
canada seven and of Course australia three this. Week AS
i like to, say downloads are basically. Votes basically is
how it's really calculated when you stop and think about.

(01:26:44):
It so we want to say thank you to all those,
votes all those downloads from The United, States, Australia, canada, many,
many many other countries from across the universe and. Galaxy
we couldn't do it without. You thank. You we know
there are, millions, millions millions and millions more choices in
that podcast, catalog and ALL i can say is thank
you for Choosing Aeron's. Opinion all, right, everybody that's good for.

(01:27:09):
Today we will certainly be back. Soon and until next
time you're listening to The Arn's opinion. Podcast my name
Is Aaron. Richmond be well, everybody and have a, wonderful wonderful,
Day take care and until next. Time help one person,
today help one million people. Tomorrow

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