KPFA - Pushing Limits

We feature an overview of the Vocational Rehabilitation system in the United States with guest Andjela Kaur.  The system by which people with disabilities are employed began in colonial times; and it has not always been a pretty history.

The post Vocational Rehabilitation – Pushing Limits – January 20, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.

This week we spend time in a community of low-income seniors, many who live with a disability.  We ask how they are handling the days of this major storm.  Are they huddled in fear?  Making serious plans for a sudden evacuation?

We find human beings facing physical limitations with a small measure of resource

and support.

And, we find stories laced with good humor and insight.  Reports on the downside of community society, tales of companionship and a surprising offer from a neighborhood business.

Hang out with Bliss Cameron and other seniors as the storms continue to rage.

Produced and Hosted by Shelley Berman.

The bridge over the Charles St Village creek.

(Air date Jan. 13, 2023)

The post Some Seniors In the Storm – Pushing Limits – January 13, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.

Many people with disabilities get their income from Social Security. But what happens when they go to work? A thicket of regulations puts many people in danger of losing Social Security when they begin working.  And, that can spill over into other benefits like Medi-Cal.

What should be the thrill of getting and starting a job can easily become a disaster.

Today, Pushing Limits’ own Josh Elwood discusses his Social Security situation with Adrienne Lauby.

Then, Kholoud Rashid and Makyla DaPonte from Disability Resources Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL) in Modesto talk about the full range of Social Security issues with host Mark Romoser.

The post Social Security Issues – Pushing Limits – January 6, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.

We bid farewell (we‘ll let you decide if it’s fond or not) to 2022, by talking about the past year with activists from throughout North America.

In Los Angeles, Cynde Soto successfully advocated with others to get an accessible bus stop at Dodger Stadium.

In Brooklyn, Kaden Hirsch became better at expressing their needs to roommates regarding safety during the pandemic.

In Toronto, Canada, we catch up with Aerik Woodams who talks about their interest in building care networks and the challenges that come from that work.  They work with Peoples Hub Community Care Clinic for Disabled and Chronically Ill Movement Folks; The Body Politic Covid-19 Support Group and have had experience with the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s monitoring of the rights of people with disabilities.

And, in Santa Barbara, veteran disability rights advocate Bonnie Elliot talks about her concerns about the future of the U.S and, more specifically, the acceptance of people with disabilities.

Finally, we pay tribute to disability advocate and Bay Area’s own Hale Zukas who passed away this November.  This segment has information from an obituary that appeared in Berkeleyside, written by Joan Leon and Pam Mendelsohn.  Additional material comes from Susan Chernilo who worked as Hale’s attendant in the 1970s; Deborah Kaplan, Deputy Director of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability; Pam Mendelsohn, former World Institute on Disability employee; and Charles Siegel, transportation committees co-worker.  It is voiced by Mark Romoser.

For Susan Chernilo’s essay in remembrance of Hale Zukis, click HERE

This episode of Pushing Limits produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton and hosted by Adrienne Lauby, and with editing assistance from Mark Romoser, Sheela Gunn-Cushman and Adrienne Lauby.

The post End of the Year – Pushing Limits – December 30, 2022 appeared first on KPFA.

Two or three times a year, a celebrity makes an ignorant comment or joke about a person with a disability.  Whether it’s TV show host Jenny McCarthy promoting the widely debunked idea that vaccines cause autism or the many comedians who mock people with disabilities, these actions hurt.

Do these ignorant and painful comments warrant a response from disability activists?  Should we take time from our focus on survival issues like housing and homecare to push back and educate celebs?

Today we discuss how celebrity actions shape society’s attitudes towards people with disabilities.

Our guests include activist Reyma McCoy Hyten, creator of the social media slide project, “Lizzo and Wheelchair-Accessible White Supremacy;” Zoe Gross, Director of Advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network; and Nicole Adler, actress and member of the state council for developmental disabilities.

This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton with editing assistance from Mark Romoser, Denny Daughters & Sheela Gunn-Cushman.

The post Ignorant Celebs – Pushing Limits – December 23, 2022 appeared first on KPFA.

A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing the insight of the grassroots disability movement to the general public. The show alternates weekly and airs on even weeks Friday 2:30pm.

The post Pre-empted for Fund Drive – Pushing Limits – December 16, 2022 appeared first on KPFA.

A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing the insight of the grassroots disability movement to the general public. The show alternates weekly and airs on even weeks Friday 2:30pm.

The post Pre-empted for Fund Drive – Pushing Limits – December 9, 2022 appeared first on KPFA.

In October, a new Center for Disability Justice Research opened with great fanfare at Cal State University – East Bay.  One of the Center’s focus areas is radically inclusive dance, which was celebrated in the opening ceremony with a performance by the AXIS Dance Company and Cal State’s own Wandering Ensemble.

The Center has a broad purpose that includes health, equity, education and creativity. And, it’s set to play a large role in the Bay Area disability community.

Today, host Mark Romoser discusses the theory and activity of this new facility with three of its leaders. Our guests are the co-directors, Dr. Sarah Taylor and Shubha Kashinath, and center affiliate Dr. Eric Kupers.

The post Disability Justice Center Opens – Pushing Limits – December 2, 2022 appeared first on KPFA.

We explore alliances between senior and disability communities.  From the outside, it seems both groups would be perfect partners in advocating for social change.

Both groups are affected by challenges such as accessing accessible housing, healthcare, and transportation. Yet two systems of oppression, Ageism and Ableism, often impedes those alliances from being created.

We talk to people who have navigated these systems to build strong partners between these two communities.

Ashton Applewhite is an anti-ageism advocate, a person with a disability, and author of the book, This Chair Rocks and many other writings. She was named one of 50 most important voices in aging in the world by the U.N and World Health Organization.

Julie Reiskin is the Co-Executive Director of Colorado’s Cross-Disability Coalition.  Her coalition has worked with senior groups throughout the state to advocate for laws to improve access to healthcare and housing.

Finally, we interview Kathleen Riel who has been a disability advocate in Santa Barbara for over 40 years.  She will discuss her experience trying to build alliances with senior groups.

This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton with voicing and editing assistance from Mark Romoser and Sheela Gunn Cushman.

The post Alliances Between Seniors and Disability Groups – Pushing Limits – November 25, 2022 appeared first on KPFA.

Are there things about the connection between reproductive rights and the disability community that the reproductive rights movement has not yet latched on to?

We interview Emily DiMatteo, the lead author of a paper called “Reproductive Justice for Disabled Women: Ending Systemic Discrimination.”   The paper details considerations that should be factored into the debate over reproductive rights or reproductive justice.

The post Reproductive Rights & Disability, Part 2 – Pushing Limits – November 18, 2022 appeared first on KPFA.