The Pulse

Make (a) Way


Listen Later

For a long time disability meant one thing — limitations. Think about the word disabled: its literal meaning is broken, not functioning. In a world largely built by and for those considered typical, people with disabilities are often boxed out — from jobs they want, places they want to go and activities they could love. But that’s changing as advances in science and technology collide with evolving conceptions of disability. On this week’s show, we explore the idea that “disability” resides not in people, but in the systems, schools, workplaces and communities that don’t make a way for inclusion and participation.

To read a transcript of this week’s episode, click here.

Also on this week’s show:

  • Inside a growing movement to change a culture of medicine that sidelines disabled doctors, and could even hobble patient care.
  • Teresa Blankmeyer Burke is a deaf philosophy professor whose work probes how we define disability – and when it’s really just difference.
  • Introducing computer scientist Brian Smith, whose big idea could be bringing mainstream video games to blind players.
  • A chat with Mariette Bates, the head of CUNY’s Disability Studies program, about embracing disability as identity, and what that means for language.
  • Pianist Andrea Avery’s life changed when she developed rheumatoid arthritis – she describes her journey navigating the gray space between health and disability.
  • In a story from the podcast Exited, we follow a young man who says he’s ready for a job, while those around him say his developmental disabilities are sure to get in the way.
  • ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The PulseBy WHYY

    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6

    4.6

    290 ratings


    More shows like The Pulse

    View all
    Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

    Science Friday

    6,201 Listeners

    On the Media by WNYC Studios

    On the Media

    9,162 Listeners

    KERA's Think by KERA

    KERA's Think

    917 Listeners

    On Point | Podcast by WBUR

    On Point | Podcast

    3,923 Listeners

    Voices in the Family by WHYY

    Voices in the Family

    38 Listeners

    Radiolab by WNYC Studios

    Radiolab

    43,817 Listeners

    This American Life by This American Life

    This American Life

    90,727 Listeners

    Fresh Air by NPR

    Fresh Air

    37,881 Listeners

    The Moth by The Moth

    The Moth

    27,074 Listeners

    TED Radio Hour by NPR

    TED Radio Hour

    21,892 Listeners

    Reveal by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX

    Reveal

    8,254 Listeners

    Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

    Hidden Brain

    43,337 Listeners

    The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

    The New Yorker Radio Hour

    6,675 Listeners

    Eleanor Amplified by WHYY

    Eleanor Amplified

    2,199 Listeners

    1A by NPR

    1A

    4,624 Listeners

    Throughline by NPR

    Throughline

    16,077 Listeners

    Short Wave by NPR

    Short Wave

    6,210 Listeners

    A.I. Nation by WHYY

    A.I. Nation

    192 Listeners