In this enlightening episode, we sit down with James Ross, Chair of the Westport Commission on People with Disabilities, and Elaine Daignault, Director of Westport Human Services, to explore what it truly means to see the person before the disability. Through stories, community insight, and cultural reflections, we uncover how embracing diverse abilities not only enhances individual lives but enriches our community.

💡 Inside the Episode:

1. The mission and impact of the Westport Commission on People with Disabilities
2. How Westport's Human Services Department supports youth, seniors, and people with disabilities
3. How people with disabilities express a deep desire not for special treatment, but for equal opportunity—to live, work, connect, and thrive without having to constantly prove their worth or fight for basic access. 
4. Eye-opening media recommendations:
5. "Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace" — Geraldo Rivera’s landmark documentary that exposed institutional abuse
6. The Undateables — A UK series challenging perceptions of dating and disability
7. Tina Friml — Stand-up comedian redefining representation with humor and heart
8. Little People, Big World - a reality TV series that follows the Roloff family, some of whom have dwarfism, as they navigate everyday life, relationships, and running their Oregon farm.
9. Crip Camp - a documentary that tells the story of a groundbreaking summer camp for teens with disabilities in the 1970s that helped spark a revolution in the disability rights movement.
10. The legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
11. Inclusive employment: Why hiring people with disabilities is a win for everyone

🧭 Why This Episode Matters:
This episode challenges listeners to rethink what’s “normal” by focusing on the humanity, talents, and rights of people with disabilities. When we pause to truly see the person — not just the diagnosis — we create a more inclusive, empathetic, and a perspective on who we are as people first. Whether you're a policymaker, employer, parent, or neighbor, this conversation offers meaningful ways to connect, support, and uplift.

Media resources from this episode:

1. "Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace" Geraldo Rivera’s landmark documentary that exposed institutional abuse
2. The Undateables — A UK series challenging perceptions of dating and disability
3. Tina Friml — Stand-up comedian redefining representation with humor and heart
4. Little People, Big World - a reality TV series that follows the Roloff family, some of whom have dwarfism, as they navigate everyday life, relationships, and running their Oregon farm.
5. Crip Camp - a documentary that tells the story of a groundbreaking summer camp for teens with disabilities in the 1970s that helped spark a revolution in the disability rights movement.

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