Enable: The Disability Podcast

Enable: The Disability Podcast

Highlighting amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, sharing stories of their experiences, challenges they've overcome, resources, accessibility, and their careers and passions. Hosted by Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert, who was born with a profound hearing loss, and Kurt Hower, who has ankylosing spondylitis.

Episodes

July 15, 2026 22 mins
What do service dogs do? And how much do they cost? Spann Cordle, a disability advocate with cerebral palsy, pioneered Walmart’s first associate service dog team, leading to more jobs for people with disabilities. In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," Spann shares how his service dog Finn helped him with everything from opening doors to doing laundry, as well as a very good reason why others shouldn't pet s...
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What was Helen Keller like? The deaf-blind hero, best known as a pioneer for disability rights as chronicled in "The Miracle Worker," achieved many things in her life: She was the first deaf-blind woman to graduate from college, was a Goodwill Ambassador for peace after World War II, a labor rights advocate, a suffragist, and much more. “She was very much just like all of us too,” says Tony Stephens of the American...
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What do employers and others get wrong about neurodivergent people? Laura McAnulty, executive director of the Neurodiversity Employment Network of Philadelphia, spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about being diagnosed as neurodivergent later in life, tips for job interviews, disclosure options, and social anxiety."I think that that's a big misnomer with autistic people or neurodivergent people: They don't like being social...
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How does caregiving begin for people with disabilities? What kind of jobs are available? Jessica Hulter, whose daughter had Rett Syndrome, and Lamarque Polvado, whose CareStarter project was inspired by his daughter's autism journey, spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about health care services for families with disabilities, the U.S. military's Exceptional Family Member Program and TRICARE, benefits of employing people wi...
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The Special Olympics changes people's lives, celebrates competitive spirit, and fosters unforgettable relationships. Stacey Hengsterman, president and CEO of Special Olympics New York with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about the Special Olympics 2026 USA Games, which take place from June 20-26 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as her son Alex's experiences with Down syndrome and unified sports. "He is the nicest boy you'd e...
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What should parents expect when their child is diagnosed with Down syndrome? And what kind of resources and support are available? Anna Bruce, board president of GiGi’s Playhouse in New York’s Southern Tier, spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about her son Camden, virtual and in-person programs for the Down syndrome community, and why people should raise, not lower, their expectations. "He's really helped to r...
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Prosthetic limbs for amputees have a real cost -- thousands of dollars -- but also an emotional toll. Matt Millhouse, a military veteran and the president of Iron Leg Corp., spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about his experiences raising a son whose right leg didn't fully form in the womb, how his son doesn't let it stop him from loving and participating in sports, and the organization's efforts to help raise money for ot...
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Pennsylvania announced a new Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities in April, aiming to gather information regarding the experiences and needs of people with disabilities, assess support programs, and provide information about services for the disability community, families, and caregivers. Sherri Landis, executive director of The Arc of Pennsylvania, spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about the commission, how ...
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What is the Blue Envelope Program? The New York State Sheriffs' Association has established a free public service program that provides blue envelopes for drivers with autism and neurodivergence, helping them in interactions with law enforcement. Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy Danielle Podejko spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about the program and other tips for people with disabilities in police interactions. The e...
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How should you plan for a vacation with a disability? What kind of accessibility resources and options are available for travel? "Blindish Latina" and disability advocate Catarina Rivera talks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about her experiences growing up with hearing loss, trying to hide a progressive vision disability, accessibility tools for the deaf-blind such as a white cane and live captioning, and the importan...
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Did you know? Diabetes is considered a disability under the ADA because even if it's well-managed, it's still a chronic autoimmune condition that limits the endocrine system. Video game developer Sam Glassenberg speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about his free mobile app, “Level One: A Diabetes Game,” which helps people with Type 1 diabetes better learn how to keep track of insulin therapy and blood su...
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How can a military family find stability while constantly moving when they have a child with autism? Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jaime B. Parent and his wife, educator and autism specialist, Elizabeth "Tracy" Parent, spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower about their experiences raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, resources for military families with special needs, and ...
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What kind of jobs are there for people with disabilities? How can I get accommodations? Can I work and still receive disability benefits? David Devendorf, director of employment at Access CNY, shares job tips for people with different abilities to find and succeed in careers they enjoy. For more information and resources: ACCES- VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) in New York https://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr  Access CNY&nbs...
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For families with neurodivergence, resources and support are often easier to find for children than adults. On this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," two moms of adult children with autism spoke about the challenges they've faced, the "gray area" of adulthood, and efforts to help them become independent as they get older. "It's a huge transition when you leave high school," said Jean Leiker of the Central New York chap...
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What is a learning disability, and how does it look on the inside? On this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," writer, photographer and para educator Michelle Steiner talks about being diagnosed with dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects numerical processing, mathematics, and spatial awareness (like right vs. left). She also has issues with visual perception and limited hand dexterity, so things like driving and ...
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How can families teach kids about disabilities, inclusion and acceptance? In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," children's book author Ryan Revere Ritter shares the real-life inspirations for "Fredrick the One Legged Goose," including a young boy with cancer and an actual one-legged goose, and why he decided to include coloring pages in the back of the book. "Fredrick the One Legged Goose" is available on Amazon: ht...
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In this special Q&A episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower answer questions about their own different abilities, including hearing loss, ankylosing spondylitis and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). They may all be very different conditions, but you'd be surprised at the common threads, the different challenges that can come with each, and other things you might not know...
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John Eves, a radio and TV broadcasting veteran, was born with a birth defect that he learned decades later was cerebral palsy. In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," he talks about overcoming those challenges to achieve his dreams, pivoting when certain sports became too difficult, working with big names like Mike Tirico and Ian Eagle, and his unforgettable ski trip with a U.S. president. You can listen to WXHC...
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Rasheda Ali Walsh, a Parkinson's advocate, author and the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, talks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about her dad's 30-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Rasheda discusses the importance of exercise to slow the neurological disease's progression, her role as a caregiver (or "care partner"), and one of her favorite memories with her dad (involving Peter Jackson's 2005 movie "King Kong"). ...
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Malik Jones, a member of Team USA's sled hockey team at the 2026 Paralympics in Italy, talks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about adaptive sports and the differences between traditional hockey and sled hockey. Jones, who was born without shinbones and had both legs amputated at 10 months old, previously became the second Black athlete to represent the U.S. in sled hockey and won a gold medal at the Paralympics in Beijing. ...
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