Disability Talks: Don't Dis My Ability
Episodes
This episode welcomes guest Jean Marc Feghali, of WeWALK, a company of out of London, England. WeWALK develops tech for the visually impaired community by the visually impaired community. Jean Marc himself is visually impaired and a WeWALK user. He shares that products, like the ultrasonic WeWALK Smart Cane, are designed through the lived experiences of the team as well as feedback from the greater WeWALK community, making these pr...
This episode features IT business heavy hitter and international motivational speaker, Chad E. Foster, who just wrote his first book, "Blind Ambition." The book is set for release on February 16th. Shelly interviews Chad about his journey, going back to the time he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa through the twists and turns leading to his success today, where he's found gratitude, resilience, and ambition. Chad...
This episode features the bubbly personality of Gail Hamilton, a public speaker, opera singer, author, therapist, and former Miss Colorado Senior America. Shelly interviews Gail about the twists and turns that led her to pursue such diverse experiences, never letting blindness ultimately dictate what she can and cannot do, no matter how great her fear. For Gail, no mountain is too high, and she professes that no matter what your dr...
This episode features the expertise of glaucoma and cataract surgeon Dr. Aaron Cohn of Kremer Eye Center in southeastern PA. In this eye-opening conversation, Shelly and Dr. Cohn discuss the importance of regular eye exams and how to take care of your eye health to prevent vision loss and the progression of certain eye diseases like glaucoma. Learn about the “silent disease” that could be stealing sight from your periphery and how ...
In this episode, we chat with Jessica Ping-Wild of Chicago, Illinois, a disability advocate, freelance content creator, and University of Notre Dame graduate with dual degrees in English Literature and Business Economics. You’ll be captivated by Shelly and Jessica’s candid conversation on dating with a disability and the difficulties of finding accessible employment opportunities, especially in the current COVID-related unemployme...
In this episode, Shelly interviews David Sharif, a magna cum laude graduate of Pace University, global citizen, and autism advocate. His political science background and love of world travel have shaped his values and allowed him to develop relationships with friends across the globe. David talks about being featured in a claymation video by Autism Speaks and Robot Chicken, his involvement in model UN, and his book-in-progress. Lea...
In this episode, Shelly interviews Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President of RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community. Jennifer regularly works with disability organizations, national, state and local policy leaders, workforce development professionals, media, employers, philanthropists, celebrities and faith-based...
Join us for a deep dive into the world of adapted fitness with Jeff McGinnis and Judy Morrison of the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports in Philadelphia. Their mostly volunteer-driven organization meets people wherever they are physically and mentally to help them meet their fitness and wellness goals. They discuss ways the Center has had to adapt to the COVID-19 landscape and foray into virtual fitness classes for the first ti...
Join us for an enlightening interview with special guest Zakiya Mabery of Washington, D.C. She's an international speaker, LinkedIn influencer, and Diversity, Inclusion and Equity advocate who describes herself as a “triple threat” because she is a Black woman with a disability. She is passionate about mental health and wellness and encourages listeners to let go of toxicity in life and cultivate healthy patterns of thinking an...
In this episode, host Shelly Houser and Abilities in Motion's Executive Director, Stephanie Quigley, share valuable voting information for voters ahead of the November general election. This interview includes valuable resources for reliable nonpartisan voting information, promoting voting rights, and ensuring voting accessibility. Shelly and Stephanie explain current challenges with voter suppression and answer all of your que...
In this episode we interview Maegan Blau of Blue Copper Design, an interior design company that specializes in adaptive designs for everyday spaces. Maegan talks us through her design process, including incorporating themes and hues from the environment (especially the desert in her home state of Arizona) into home interiors. Learn more about what universal design means for accessible living and how we all can benefit from built-in...
In this special edition of Disability Talks, host Shelly Houser passes the mic off to Executive Director Stephanie Quigley as she interviews Genine Bashore and her son Jake, who has autism. April is Autism Awareness Month, but Genine presents a compelling argument for moving from “awareness” to “acceptance.” Genine gets real about the journey from Jake’s diagnosis to adulthood, with commentary about the social isolation often preva...
Happy 30th birthday to the Americans with Disabilities Act! This life-changing act was borne out of the Independent Living Movement, which challenged the idea that people with disabilities should be confined to institutions. Civil rights leaders advocated for systems change that would allow people with disabilities to flourish independently in their communities. Join us for an honest and entertaining talk about the ADA with Abiliti...