Blaisin' Access Podcast

October has a lot of disability-related causes. Tune in to hear about each of them. Which cause is most important to you? Let Blaise know, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and follow the show on social media!

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Today Blaise highlights the work of ADAPT's work in Washington DC advocating for increased funding for home and community-based services and accessible housing. What do you think? Follow the show on social media and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform!

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John Hetherington was denied access on a flight to Seattle because his wheelchair was too big. Blaise shares his story of waiting some 25 years to see Beyonce. Thankfully all eventually ended well. What do you think? Follow the show on social media and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.
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News story: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beyonce-flies-out-disabled-fan_n_65108cf9e4b09cd54cbd1cb5

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Apologies for the late release. There was a technical glitch with scheduling the episode. Today Blaise talks about how disabled guests need a card to access theme parks if you're heading to Universal. Do you agree this is also discrimination? Subscribe on your favorite podcast player and share the show!
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News story\: https://insidethemagic.net/2023/09/theme-parks-single-out-disabled-guests-to-make-fun-

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Rita Lin, a judge with a hear disability stemming from a childhood ilness, was recently confirmed to the Northern District Court of California. Blaise shares her story in today's episode. What do you think? Subscribe on your favorite podcast player and follow the show. If you have a minute please leave a rating and a review.

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News story: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/biden-california-court-nominee-with-hearing-disability-confirmed

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Blaise shares a story about a pizza shop creating life skills opportunities for special education students in Troy, NY. How is your business or employer creating opportunities for people with disabilities? Follow the show on social media and subscribe on your favorite podcast player!

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Blaise highlights a Kansas City, Mo program called Adaptive Athletes in Motion. This program allows people with disabilities to live healthy lives through training and workouts. Read more about Adaptive Athletes in motion: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article278865794.html
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Today Blaise updates us on new legislation requiring students to notify parents of their rights in IEP meetings. Full story:

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/09/19/house-panel-advances-bill-clarifying-parents-rights-at-iep-meetings/30553/

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This is the Blaisin’n Access Podcast for Tuesday, September 19. I’m Blaise Bryant.
Today’s story shines a light on employment for people with disabilities. A survey conducted by Source America said 93-percent of respondents want the government and private sector to do more to level the playing field. The poll, consisting of 1,000 Americans with and without disabilities encourages employers to value the talents and skills of people with disabilities, as part of diversity, equity, and intersectionality or DEI. With National Disability Employment Awareness Month starting October 1, Source America’s survey encourages both the public and private sector to do more. How do disabilities impact career paths? Some 57-percent of disabled Americans said having a disability limited their options. 43-percent feel disabled people are not given a fair shot at employment or being promoted. Discrimination during job interviews is another hurdle. 58-percent of disabled Americans reported they faced some form of discrimination. This compares to 26-percent of non-disabled Americans who faced discrimination. Nearly 60-percent of people with disabilities surveyed left their job because of discrimination. The survey was conducted from July 14-21 of 2023. The survey link is in the news story which you can find in the show notes.
 
Considering roughly 70-percent of people with disabilities are unemployed the big question is how do we actually reduce this horrifically high number? While surveys and conversation are a good foundational start it’s all lip service without action. A few weeks ago I had a chat with a couple of Human Resources professionals after making a LinkedIn post about the flaws of DEI. If you’re not incorporating disability in all aspects of a company you’re doing an injustice to DEI. The main reason why I’m doing this podcast is because we need to change the attitudinal narrative around disability. It’s up to us as disabled people, along with non-disabled allies to lead the change we want to see. Nothing about us without us!
 
If you have a story you’d like me to highlight on the show send it to me at [email protected]. Tell your friends about the Blaisin’ Access Podcast and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. I’d be grateful if you left a rating and review. Tune in for more disability news tomorrow. I’m Blaise Bryant. You are listening to the Blaisin’ Access Podcast. Have a great day!
 
News story: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sourceamerica-employment-inclusion-survey-reveals-133000907.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJLa7qr7lz4PqOo6zlc65Kln8dZ1kJMK4EW50MIrefV12N1J6zncRoXiPxNkWISX9NFrFB7bq0eWf0pblNvKF5BSFfJbSNdQ6vpTrDU9pNRBXbuXUTq6i3YBq3x4QQwiWSLm5p9cz8XFf1KKv_xZW5nDNrHikKG6nlGxfSfNNYkb

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Today Blaise raises the issue of Social Security asking people with disabilities to pay back thousands in benefits when they are unable to do so. Follow the show on social media and subscribe to the show!

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Welcome to the Blaisin’ Access Podcast for Monday, September 18. I’m Blaise Bryant. This is a relaunched podcast amplifying the disability voice one story at a time. Let’s face it – we have a lot of collective work to do to make the world inclusive and accessible for all.
Today’s story focuses on the penalties people getting Social Security benefits while working can face. Justina Worrell is a 47-year-old woman who works part-time as a kitchen helper at an Ohio nursing home. She has cerebral palsy, an intellectual disability, and a heart condition. Worrell needed an artificial heart valve when she was 20. A year ago Justina made $862 a month. She received $1,065 per month in Social Security Disability benefits. In a letter the Social Security Administration claimed they were overpaying Worrell and wanted the money back. They asked Justina to either send a check or money order for $60,175.90 within 30 days. Talk about mission impossible! Unfortunately stories like this are all too common in the disability space. The very government program designed to help working disabled people penalizes them for wanting to contribute to society. Blaming beneficiaries for a nearly $25-billion deficit is not a practical and sustainable solution. My advice to anyone receiving benefits from Social Security is to meet with a Benefits Advisor in your area. We all need to do our part to make sure disabled people have access to jobs, along with resources to help them succeed. The full story is in the show notes.
If you have a story you’d like me to highlight on the show send it to me at [email protected]. Tell your friends about the Blaisin’ Access Podcast and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. I’d be grateful if you left a rating and review. Tune in for more disability news tomorrow. I’m Blaise Bryant. You are listening to the Blaisin’ Access Podcast. Have a great day!
 
News story: https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2023-09-16/social-security-overpays-billions-people-many-disability-demands-money-back

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