January 16, 2026

Political Wrap-Up – Pushing Limits – January 16, 2026

29 minutes

What defined disability in the headlines this past year — progress, controversy, or both?

This Friday, Pushing Limits looks back at some of the most talked-about moments in the disability world. From a clergyman seeking a federal lawsuit after preaching that disabled people shouldn’t marry, to the mixed bag of disability policy coming out of California’s state government. And we’ll dig into a debate that sparked plenty of opinions: should pregnant women be allowed to park in blue zones?

Join Pushing Limits for a year-end wrap-up you won’t want to miss.

This program is produced by Adrienne Lauby and hosted by Talia Mariano and Eddie Ytuarte.

Stories in this program with links for further exploration:

1. Conditions for Disabled People in Venezuela

Special report on humanitarian needs of persons in situations of disability in Venezuela – July 2025 – Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Venezuela – Disability – Expat Focus

https://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/countries/VEN

2. Diminished Democracy is Diminished Disability Justice

https://www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/this-should-not-be-happening/

3. Should Pregnant Women Use Disabled Parking

https://www.handicapmd.com/handicap-parking-blog/legal-rights-for-pregnant-women-seeking-disabled-parking-permits

4. ICE Raid near Day Program for Developmentally Disabled Adults

https://thearcca.org/ice-raid-near-the-arc-of-ventura-county-day-program-in-oxnard-raises-urgent-concerns-for-disability-safety/

5. Federal court nominee says disabled people should not marry

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/12/indiana-southern-district-federal-judge-nominee-justin-olson-disabled-people-marriage-benefits-cancellation-medicaid-ssi/

6. Autistic Barbie Doll

https://www.timesnownews.com/health/why-mattels-first-ever-barbie-with-autism-is-sparking-global-conversation-on-inclusion-article-153439447

7. Alice Wong and Bob Kafka – Rest In Power

Disability Vulnerability: https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/book/disability-vulnerability-spring-2026/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/15/alice-wong-disability-rights-activist-dies-aged-51

https://nursing.ucsf.edu/news/memory-alice-wong-disability-rights-activist-writer-and-ucsf-changemaker

https://time.com/7336976/disability-justice-alice-wong/

Pushing Limits Interview with Alice Wong

https://kpfa.org/episode/pushing-limits-july-15-2016/

Personal story ~ meeting Bob Kafka: https://adapt.org/1984-washington-bob-kafka/

Obituary: https://www.kut.org/politics/2025-12-29/bob-kafka-austin-disability-rights-advocate-dies-tx

Bob’s home chapter of ADAPT celebrates his passing: https://adaptoftexas.org/

Pushing Limits interview with Bob Kafka prior to the passage of Obama Care (Affordable Care Act): https://kpfa.org/episode/58204/

8. 2025 State wrap-up–new laws and budget

2025 End of Session Wrap Up | Disability Rights California

9. Teachers use AI for IEPs (Individualized Education Programs)

https://cdt.org/insights/from-personalized-to-programmed-the-use-of-generative-ai-to-develop-individualized-education-programs-for-students-with-disabilities/?ref=disabilitydebrief.org

10. Sign Language Problems with AI

From the British Deaf Association though Disability Debrief

https://bda.org.uk/bsl-is-not-for-sale/?ref=disabilitydebrief.org

11. “Life After,” movie. A Disabled Filmmaker Looks at Physician-Assisted Suicide (Free)

Independent Lens, PBS

https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/life-after/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCH-51YqMMs

For a transcription of the entire program, click here

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