Disability Deep Dive

Welcome to Part 2 of a conversation with Heather Watkins and Dom Evans about marriage inequity, disabled relationships in the media, and disabled parenting!

Please check out our show notes from part 1 for more background information and relevant links mentioned in the episode.

In February, we created a blog post on disability marriage inequality. We knew people would be interested in the topic, but were taken aback by the immense engagement and shock felt by our audience. Because of that, we wanted to create a podcast episode talking with disabled folks about disability marriage inequality, parenting, and more.

On the show today we have two fantastic guests, Heather Watkins and Dom Evans. Heather Watkins (she/her) is a disability advocate, author, blogger, mother, and graduate of Emerson College with a B.S. in Mass Communications. Born with Muscular Dystrophy, loves reading, daydreaming, chocolate, and serves on a handful of disability-related boards. Her blog Slow Walkers See More includes reflections and insight from her life with disability. Dom Evans (they/he) is a director/writer, activist, Twitch streamer, and consultant with a BFA in Film. He fights for inclusion in media, marriage equality, gaming, and reproductive rights. Dom founded #FilmDis, to better understand Disability in media. He works in Hollywood to make the industry more inclusive to disabled people.

Needless to say, these two advocates are the guests to have for this podcast. We were thrilled to have them on and have such an engaging and insightful conversation in store for you. We hope you enjoy part one of our conversation with Heather and Dom!

Relevant links:

• Heather's website
• Dom's website
• Disability Representation on Television: Examining 250 TV Shows

On March 4th, 2023, the world was shaken by the passing of the legendary disability rights activist and leader Judith (Judy) Heumann. She is considered "The Mother of the Disability Rights Movement" and is frankly a badass. Judy was essential to disability rights advocacy and progress. It is because of her advocacy that our organization can do the work we do today. We are indebted to her and her work, and we will continue her fight for disability rights in her honor.

To honor her, we wanted to record a special tribute about Judy, her advocacy, and the long-lasting impact that her presence will have on the disability community and the world.

Relevant links and topics mentioned in the episode:

• Crip Camp & Camp Jened
• Heumann v Board of Ed of the City of New York
• Disabled in Action
• Rehabilitation Act Protests in NYC
• Berkeley Center for Independent Living
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• 504 Sit in
• World Institute on Disability
• Judy's memoir "Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist"
• Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution
• Movie adaption of "Being Heumann" is under development, with Ali Stroker
• Heumann Perspective podcast
• Recording of her services

Medicaid Unwinding in Florida starts on April 1, 2023. With information coming from various Florida agencies and organizations, it can be hard to get clear information about what is happening with Medicaid eligibility. The Medicaid Unwinding process can feel overwhelming, but we hope our show today will provide you with important clarifying information you need to be ready and prepared for the process.

In this bonus episode, we talk with our co-worker from the Public Policy team, Laura Minutello, who will provide information and resources about Medicaid Unwinding.

In this episode of You First, we chat with Alan Herbert, a Kenyan journalist, social inclusion advocate, and behavior change communications professional. He brings on a wealth of experience in inclusive media practices, leadership, and advocacy. Alan currently serves as a prime-time TV host at Signs TV Kenya and is a founding member and Chief Executive Officer of Black Albinism, Kenya.

Alan is also an inclusive communications consultant who has worked with organizations to develop inclusive employment learning modules. He has also worked on a documentary about the Kenyan government's plan and commitments to the disability community at the inaugural Global Disability Summit.

We connected with Alan last year when he was in the states for his disability fellowship program and we've stayed connected ever since. We're excited to share the interview, and we hope you enjoy it!

Our first episode of the new year focuses on our legislative priorities for 2023. Florida's legislative session starts in March, and Disability Rights Florida has been following the conversations around what bills and topics will be featured. Many of these issues can greatly impact the disability community in Florida. That's why we're here to give you the inside scoop on what we have on our radar this session.

We spoke to our friend and coworker, DRF Public Policy Analyst Caitlyn Clibbon. She is one of our staff members who is closely watching what's happening with the Florida legislative session and considering the impact these laws will have on people with disabilities. Caitlyn offers some insight into what topics we, as an organization, are focusing on and keeping a close watch on.

Let's talk about Accessible In-Person Voting in the sixth and final episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

It's almost Election Day - and you have the right to vote in person with accessible options. On this episode of "Your Voice, Your Vote!" we're grateful to have Sarah Goldman, the Director of Administration and Youth Initiatives at the Florida Independent Living Council, and Alex Mosca, a Public Information Specialist at the Leon County Supervisor of Elections office. Tune in to learn about your in-person voting rights, the guests' experiences with in-person voting, and how we can all continue to make voting more accessible and inclusive for all voters.

Let's talk about Running for Office with a Disability in the fifth episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

On today's episode, we're excited to have guests Sarah Blahovec, Olivia Babis, Karolyn Campbell, and Sabrina Cohen. These four individuals have run for office as folks with disabilities, advocated for inclusive campaigning strategies, and educated potential disabled candidates about how to run for office effectively. The conversation illuminates barriers to civic engagement and political disabled representation that you may not realize.

Links:

• Elevate: Campaign Training for People with Disabilities
• The A-Z of Effective, Inclusive Campaigns

Let's talk about Understanding the Disability Vote in the fourth episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

In this two-part episode, we talk about the disability community, their access to voting, what barriers are up against the disability community's civic involvement, what trends we see in disabled voters, and what efforts are being made to make elections more accessible for all. First, you will hear from guests Lisa Schur and Doug Kruse from Rutgers University who do disability voting research. After that, you will get insight from Commissioner Tom Hicks from the Elections Assistance Commission.

Links mentioned during the episode:

• Rutgers Program for Disability Research
  • Doug Kruse's email address
  • Lisa Schur's email address
• EAC email address to request copies of their pocket guide for voters with disabilities

Let's talk about Voting and Intersectionality in the third episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!"

In this episode, we talk to Jazlyn Gallego from Vote Riders about intersectionality and how marginalized voters are impacted in the election process. Jazlyn is Voter Riders' Florida State Outreach Director and Florida Voter ID Coalition Coordinator. She talks about how inaccessible voting practices impact all voters, and she shares helpful information about Voter ID requirements and election resources.