Edited Audio - In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson reflects on the documentary Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story and the unexpected way it changed his life. What began with a conversation about climbing Mount Jo became a powerful opportunity to reflect on family, disability, perseverance, and achievement. Eighteen years later, John looks back on how the documentary led to speaking opportunities, new perspectives, and ultimately the creation of Our Ability- a company focused on connecting people with disabilities to employment. John shares why his story isn’t about inspiration for inspiration’s sake, but about effort, possibility, trying, failing, and continuing to move forward.

To watch the documentary for free, please visit: Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story (Born Different Documentary) | Real Stories

What happens when you can’t see the words on a page, hear the lyrics in a song, or navigate a website? You’re not missing convenience- you’re missing information. That’s why Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act exists: to require accessible digital information for everyone, including people with disabilities. From websites and PDFs to mobile apps and government systems, accessibility means information must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. John Robinson explains why waiting to “fix” accessibility often fails, how WCAG shapes the current standards, and why abli.ai has been developed to help organizations identify accessibility problems before they become barriers.

Visit Our Ability - Make PDF Accessible if you'd like to learn how to make your documents more accessible. If you're interested in becoming a beta tester for abli.ai, reach out to John at [email protected] to learn more.

John reflects on disability history after re-watching the documentary, Crip Camp. He discusses how Camp Jened gave young people with disabilities the opportunity to make friends, increase their independence, and provide a sense of belonging that helped inspire disability-rights activism, including the fight for equality and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Robinson connects this history to his own childhood, when he was excluded from Little League. Luckily, he and his parents created other adaptive opportunities through the sport of golf. John also emphasizes how much progress came from earlier advocates like Judy Heumann, and challenges today’s generation to continue creating accessible opportunities in education, employment, recreation, transportation, and housing for those who come next.

Click or copy the link to watch Crip Camp for free: CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION | Full Feature | Netflix - YouTube

In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John speaks with advocate David Pino about disability employment, subminimum wage, and the importance of meaningful opportunities to work and live independently. David shares his experience about working for eight years in a sheltered workshop, where he earned significantly less than minimum wage, and contrasts that experience with his current career at McDonald’s. They discuss how employment can affect financial stability, independence, self-confidence, and mental health, while also exploring David's advocacy efforts in Wisconsin. David’s firsthand perspective offers insight into the challenges and possibilities facing people with disabilities seeking competitive, community-based employment.

What happens when a personal challenge leads to an unexpected entrepreneurial opportunity? This episode highlights Drew Davis, founder of Stacked Hot Sauce, a disability-owned business that grew from a school project into a million dollar brand. We discuss Drew's story of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and building a company that openly embraces its disability identity.  John and Blaise discuss the role consumers, retailers, and supplier diversity programs can play in supporting disability-owned businesses. See the links below for more information:

Stacked Sauces

Limitless Foundation

Recent changes to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act have removed the seven percent workforce benchmark, disability self-identification requirements, and related reporting requirements for federal contractors and subcontractors. In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John provides context on how the benchmark influenced disability recruitment, workplace disclosure, and employer practices. Ann reviews the federal government’s recent changes, while Blaise shares his perspective as a disability advocate. Together, they explore what these changes could mean for employers, workers, and people with disabilities and what may come next for disability employment policy.

This episode of Disability in the Public Square explores entrepreneurship as a potential and often necessary pathway for people with disabilities facing barriers to traditional employment. John discusses what the true unemployment rate is for those with disabilities, and the importance of contracting opportunities for disability-owned businesses. John considers the ways organizations, government agencies, and allies could support their growth. The episode also features the story of Colette Divitto, founder of Colettey’s Cookies, who built a successful cookie business after encountering difficulties finding employment. Her experiences show that entrepreneurship became a necessity after she was repeatedly overlooked and rejected from previous jobs.

In this episode, John shares his experience learning to drive and reflects on how access to adaptive technology shaped his work and daily life. The conversation also explores mobility equipment for wheelchair and scooter users, including vehicle lifts and ramps, driving controls, equipment selection, maintenance, insurance coverage, and potential financial resources. Listeners will also hear about the role of occupational therapists and assistive technology specialists in evaluating mobility and driving needs. The episode offers personal perspective alongside practical information for people exploring adaptive driving and mobility options.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is now overseen by the Health and Human Services Department. Listen to hear John's thoughts regarding this change.

What happens when a program designed to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities becomes permanent?

In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson takes a closer look at New York’s Preferred Source Program, recognizing the important opportunities it creates while raising questions about accountability, funding, and the future of disability employment.

Should the program be permanent, or should it continue to face independent review every three years? And what could happen if more of its resources were reinvested into expanding employment opportunities?

Listen as John explores these questions- and why he believes we can do so much more.

Nonprofit ramps up efforts to expand NY disabled workers program

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/132841179

Preferred Sources | Office of General Services

CL-624 2026 07 Preferred Source Program Announcements | Office of General Services