Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong

What does meaningful employment look like when people have the opportunity to build skills, take pride in their work, and feel like they belong?

In this episode of Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong, we sit down with Cody Wass and Carter Sanders of HB Threads, an Easterseals Chicago and Rockford region workforce program that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities through custom apparel, buttons, and other personalized products.

Cody and Carter share how HB Threads goes beyond production to foster transferable job skills, workplace friendships, and a culture where people feel supported. From producing more than 40,000 buttons for the Chicago White Sox each year, to creating opportunities for employees to grow their skills, their stories show what meaningful employment can look like in practice.

The conversation expands on the importance of vocational training, the role of community and collaboration in building inclusive workplaces, and the everyday accommodations that can make work more accessible for everyone. Cody and Carter also discuss the value of listening to employees, creating space for people to learn from mistakes, and recognizing accomplishments throughout the workday.

As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this episode offers a reminder that inclusive employment benefits individuals, workplaces, and communities alike. As Carter puts it, disability employment is a must. And as Cody reminds us, fear should never keep us from recognizing someone's potential.

Learn more about HB Threads and explore their custom products.

In this episode of Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong, we sit down with comedian, writer, producer, and actor, Steve Way.

Steve Way currently stars as Alden on Hulu’s Furious and previously appeared on Ramy and Ramy Youssef: More Feelings. He has written for TIME and has been profiled by Forbes, Variety, Esquire, and Vulture. He also writes about disability and health care policy, bringing his trademark humor and directness to conversations about disability rights, accessibility, Medicaid, and health justice.

Steve joins the show to talk about his role as Alden, his experiences navigating an inaccessible world, and what it means to be a disabled person in the public eye. He also shares why he refuses the pressure to be the “perfect” representative for disabled people and why telling your own story can be a powerful way to make space for a much bigger conversation.

We also discuss accessibility, public transportation, Medicaid, health care, and health justice. Steve explains why making complicated policy issues understandable to everyday people is an important part of accessibility, and why plain-language communication can help more people understand how disability policy affects all of us.

And, of course, there’s plenty of Steve’s signature humor along the way.

Disability Pride looks different for everyone. Sometimes, it begins with something as simple as getting dressed.

In this special Disability Pride Month episode of Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong, we are joined by Joshua Norris, CEO of Silverts Adaptive Clothing & Footwear and IZ Adaptive, and creator Sidney Raz to explore how adaptive clothing can be both a practical accessibility tool and a powerful form of self-expression.

Joshua shares the nearly century-long history of Silverts, the world's first adaptive clothing company, and the mission that inspired him to lead an employee buyout to preserve the brand. Sid reflects on his life-changing cancer diagnosis, total stomach removal, and the ongoing process of navigating disability, grief, and acceptance in the public eye. Together, the conversation highlights why accessibility, fashion, and disability pride belong in the same conversation.

The group also discusses the importance of adaptive clothing beyond function, how small acts of care can create meaningful change, misconceptions about cancer and disability, and why making accommodations for yourself is something to be proud of. Whether you're newly navigating disability, supporting someone you love, or simply interested in building a more accessible world, this episode is an honest reminder that disability pride doesn't require having everything figured out—it simply asks us to show up as we are.

This episode is in celebration of a brand-new partnership between Easterseals, Silverts, and IZ Adaptive! From July 6–31, 5% of every purchase at silverts.com and izadaptive.com supports Easterseals programs across the U.S. and Canada.

In this episode, we’re joined by content creator, beauty influencer, and disability advocate Steffi Gonzalez for a conversation about representation, disability visibility, and what it means to take up space online unapologetically.

Steffi shares how growing up around photography and beauty eventually led her into content creation, and how a simple moment with her husband changed the way she saw herself — and her wheelchair — on camera. From fashion and beauty influencing, to advocacy work and accessibility conversations with major brands, Steffi reflects on building a platform rooted in authenticity, confidence, and community.

The conversation also explores mental health and boundaries as a creator, navigating online comments, internalized ableism, and the importance of disabled representation in beauty and fashion spaces. Steffi also discusses her Instagram series “My Normal is Not Your Normal,” where she highlights the different ways disabled people navigate everyday life while reminding audiences that different does not mean lesser.

This episode is an honest, funny, and deeply thoughtful conversation about disability visibility, inclusion, and creating the kind of representation you wish you had growing up.

Cole and Charisma Sydnor, known as “Roll with Cole & Charisma,” are digital creators with a global audience. Together, they share their lived experiences navigating life in an inter-abled relationship, challenging common misconceptions about disability, dependence, and support.

From early relationship vulnerability to navigating public perceptions online, Cole and Charisma reflect on how caregiving has shaped (but not defined) their connection. They also discuss the realities of sharing their lives publicly, including boundaries, mental health, and the impact of online visibility.

This episode unpacks how care exists in many forms—physical, emotional, and relational—and how it often flows both ways in relationships and communities. The conversation expands beyond romantic relationships to highlight a broader truth: caregiving is not limited to one role or identity.

It is something we all give and receive throughout our lives, often in ways that go unseen. It is dynamic, reciprocal, and deeply rooted in connection.

Easterseals is committed to meeting people where they are, with care that honors every role they hold. Learn more at easterseals.com.

On this episode of Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong, we’re joined by Ron Funches, a stand-up comedian, actor, and recent cast member on The Traitors. Ron shares his perspective as both an autistic adult and a parent of an autistic son, reflecting on how his recent diagnosis has deepened his understanding of himself, his family, and the power of self-acceptance. 

Through humor and honesty, Ron discusses what autism acceptance looks like in real life—from recognizing shared traits with his son to navigating the transition to adulthood, caregiving challenges, and the importance of meeting people where they are. This conversation reinforces the importance of acceptance, accessible support, and empowering people with disabilities to thrive on their own terms.

Easterseals is committed to supporting autistic individuals and caregivers with resources, services, and community. 

Dani Bowman is an autistic animator, entrepreneur, and educator who founded DaniMation Entertainment to help people on the autism spectrum develop creative and professional skills. Through her work and advocacy, she empowers neurodivergent individuals to pursue their passions and build meaningful careers.

In this episode, Dani reflects on her journey in animation and business, her experience on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, and her company DaniMation. The episode highlights the many ways Dani creates learning and employment opportunities for neurodivergent adults. The conversation also explores relationships, self-advocacy, and what authentic autism acceptance looks like in everyday life.

This episode is a kick-off to Autism Acceptance Month and our Understanding Disability campaign. At Easterseals, we know that disability looks different for every person, and support should be tailored to individual strengths, goals, and needs.

Shane and Hannah Burcaw, creators of the YouTube channel Squirmy and Grubs, join Lily and Erin for a wide-ranging conversation about relationships, content creation, and what people consistently misunderstand about disability. As a married couple whose lives are highly visible online, Shane and Hannah share how public assumptions, especially about love, worth, and caregiving, show up in comment sections far more than in real life.

They reflect on how a viral interview shifted their channel from casual vlogs to a platform that sparks deeper conversations, and how they learned to balance humor with heavier topics without losing their audience. From navigating internet cruelty to deciding how much of their lived experience to share on camera, Shane and Hannah speak candidly about pressure, boundaries, and staying grounded.

The episode also explores how caregiving fits naturally into their relationship, why long-form storytelling still matters, and how shared routines, sarcasm, and trust keep their partnership strong. Throughout the conversation, Shane and Hannah emphasize curiosity, patience, and showing up honestly, online and offline.

Key Moments

03:34 What’s wrong about disability, worth, and relationships

05:39 Why cruelty shows up online but never in real life

07:58 Going viral and suddenly becoming public educators

10:45 Shifting from fun vlogs to purpose-driven storytelling

13:40 Mixing humor with hard conversations so people keep listening

16:01 The pressure to always create disability-focused content

19:20 Why “normal” couple trends never stay neutral online

22:51 Long-form content as a space for nuance and depth

25:57 Caregiving, autonomy, and public misunderstanding

30:04 Writing books to show the range of disabled relationships

39:36 Rituals, routines, and what actually keeps their relationship strong

Connect with Shane & Hannah

• Shane's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaneburcaw/# 
• Hannah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahayl/# 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/squirmyandgrubs 
• Squirmy and Grubs Website: https://www.squirmyandgrubs.com/ 

Heather Mills, world-record-breaking Paralympic skier and founder of VBites Foods, joins Lily and Erin for a conversation that spans business, resilience, and the power of purpose. From surviving a life-changing accident to building one of the largest plant-based food companies in the world, Heather shares how every setback became a reason to innovate.

She recalls turning personal tragedy into global advocacy, developing new prosthetics, founding support networks for amputees, and creating opportunities for others to regain independence. With humor and insight, Heather reflects on what true confidence looks like, the importance of empathy in leadership, and why helping others is the most rewarding kind of “selfishness.”

Heather also discusses entrepreneurship through a values-driven lens, balancing profit with purpose, leading with compassion, and using success to make a difference. Her message is bold yet simple: face challenges head-on, stay curious, and use your energy to build solutions instead of problems.

Key Moments

03:22 Airport misassumptions and using humor to reset the moment

05:48 Why comfort with yourself helps others feel at ease

07:51 How confidence and comedy reshape public reactions

11:33 Switching from “the problem is” to “the solution is”

13:26 Building better prosthetics when the market failed to deliver

15:42 Creating the Amputee Forum and a global peer-support network

19:20 Healing after injury and the path to launching VBites

22:50 Turning setbacks into purpose across sport and business

25:39 Becoming a world-record Paralympic skier at 42

30:27 The power of boundaries and choosing who gets your energy

Connect with Heather Mills

• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/msheathermills 
• Heather Mills Official Site: https://heathermills.org/ 
• VBites: https://www.vbites.com/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.mills.official/ 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherofficial/status/1755615616638341264 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathermillsofficial/?hl=en
  
  
  

Dr. Destiny Huff, a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD military spouse, therapist, and special education advocate, joins Lily and Erin for a powerful conversation on parenthood, identity, and reimagining advocacy. As the founder of Destiny Huff Consulting, she works with families across the U.S. to make education systems more responsive, compassionate, and effective for neurodivergent learners.

In this episode, Destiny shares how her own diagnosis transformed the way she supports families and children. She explains what it means to build neuroaffirming practices, from presuming competence and honoring autonomy to designing goals that match real learner needs.

Destiny also breaks down what an IEP really is; a program, not a plan, and how parents can ask for meetings, request changes, and find collaboration instead of conflict. The discussion explores bias in diagnosis, barriers faced by Black and Brown families, and how educators can check their assumptions to better support every student.

Key Moments

00:00 Tribute to Alice Wong

08:13 "Advocacy and Neurodivergence Insights"

15:24 "Neuroaffirming Special Education Handbook"

19:17 Centering Voices in Autism Advocacy

22:37 "Advocating for Diverse Learners"

30:17 "Focus, Educate, and Understand Intentions"

34:06 "Parenting Autism: Struggles and Strengths"

41:46 "Building Bridges, Not Burning Them"

48:30 Hesitation in Disclosing Diagnoses

50:43 "Embracing Accurate Labels and Support"

55:36 Bias in Disability Labels Explained

01:02:21 "Lessons on Rest and Renewal"

Connect with Dr. Destiny Huff

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destiny-huff-lpc-iep/ 
• Destiny Huff Consulting: https://www.destinyhuffconsulting.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyhuff_iep_advocate/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destinyhuffconsulting/ 

HRG Counseling: https://www.hrgcounseling.com/