Welcome back to "Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast"! In this episode, Alycia opens the conversation into the world of Barrier-Free Design with the super talented Maegan Blau. Get ready to have your perspective on design and accessibility totally transformed!

The visionary founder behind Blue Copper Design, an Arizona-based full-service interior design studio, specializing in Barrier-Free Design. Maegan's design philosophy l is combination of accessibility and aesthetic finesse, while embedding a barrier free philosophy with her unique universal designs.

Maegan Blau's personal journey serves as the driving force behind her commitment to Barrier-Free Design. Overcoming challenges and embracing her own experiences, Maegan embarked on a mission to redefine accessible spaces.

Alycia and Maegan spotlight the fusion of style and accessibility within Barrier-Free Design, dismantling the notion that accessible design lacks visual appeal.

Maegan's designs resonate with individuality, functionality, and a distinct aesthetic allure. misconceptions and introducing a new paradigm. Dive into Maegan's world of designs that seamlessly blend accessibility and style.

Beyond physical barriers, Maegan's vision extends to shifting mindsets and preconceived notions, fostering a broader understanding of Barrier-Free Design and the psychological aspects of embracing accessible design.

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Alycia welcomes Carli Ross, an adaptive physical education leader and the founder of Carli B Yoga, to share the transformative work she is doing in adaptive yoga and adaptive physical education.

Carli Ross's dedication to inclusivity and education is always evolving. As an educator and international coordinator in adaptive physical education, she has been a leader in breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity, where everyone can thrive. Carli's passion for creating personalized plans for students with disabilities shows her commitment to advocacy and support for individuals of all abilities.

Carli created an adaptive yoga program designed to empower individuals of diverse abilities. Learn the power of adaptive yoga as it creates a welcoming and nurturing community where everyone can embrace their unique abilities and find a place of belonging.

Carli passionately advocates for inclusive physical education and individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities. These plans play a pivotal role in ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive in physical education and beyond. It's true advocacy at its core.

Join Alycia Anderson and Carli Ross as they celebrate the impact of adaptive physical education. Together, they inspire change, ignite passion, and foster a world where everyone can "Push Forward" with confidence and embrace their abilities.

Visit her website, Carli B Yoga, or connect on LinkedIn and Instagram where you can explore her adaptive yoga program and access valuable resources.

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Welcome to episode 7 of "Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast". Founder of Latinas with Masters, an empowering network advancing the conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Christina talks about intersectionality, women empowerment, race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. As a woman of color and a staunch DEI advocate, she shares her journey and how she's using her platform to shape a new narrative.

Christina talks about the importance of showing up as our authentic selves in the spaces where we live, work, and learn, emphasizing the importance of preserving our identity and language while advancing in higher education. Christina believes that each individual's path to higher education is unique and emphasizes that difficulty faced by one person doesn't have to be the same for future generations. In the spirit of 'paying it forward,' she leverages her expertise to educate college students about their housing rights, making higher education more accessible to all.

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Of Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast, we wind down Disability Pride Month by featuring inspirational Joze Piranian - a global speaker, trainer, and coach, and personal friend of Alycia's. Joze champions inclusion and resilience, overcoming personal obstacles to become an acclaimed public speaker. With his captivating story and valuable insights on invisible disablity, Joze is truly shaping the world, one stutter at a time. Joze Piranian - A Journey of Transformation

A five-time TEDx speaker, a Forbes-featured stand-up comedian, and the 2017 Inspirational Speaker of the Year, Joze Piranian has made a profound impact across continents and cultures. He has spoken to global giants like Boeing, Google, Tesla, Meta, and TikTok, inspiring millions with his talks on inclusion and resilience. However, his journey hasn't been an easy one, as Joze has had to overcome the invisible disability of stuttering.

Joze is helping people who hold back turn fear into action so that they overcome their “inner stutter” and unlock their true potential in life. By empowering others to own their uniqueness and conquer their obstacles, Joze delivers transformational experiences allowing his keynote audience members and coaching clients to access the hidden powers of fear and become champions of inclusion. Visit Joze's website. Follow him on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to keep up with his work and appearances.

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Alycia welcomes Ryann Mason, a prominent Disability, Inclusion & Healthcare Nurse, advocate, and social media influencer. Ryann's compelling journey with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), her dedication to the healthcare field, and her passion for advocacy reveal her story of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination.

From her late ADHD diagnosis and early introduction to healthcare to her evolving career in the face of becoming more reliant on mobility aids. Listen as Ry shares her unique perspective on navigating disability in the healthcare industry and how her personal journey has fostered empathy and understanding, making her an effective advocate for patients newly introduced to the disability community. Her vibrant personality shines through in her narrative, offering encouragement, insight, and a touch of humor that resonates with her audience.

Ryann “Ry” Mason, BS RN (she/they)

Ry is a 31 year old disability advocate, multi-specialty registered nurse, proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, keynote speaker, model, adaptive athlete, sexuality educator, and self-proclaimed loudmouth southern belle. Ryann was born with a genetic collagen disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which caused them to begin utilizing a wheelchair for the majority of their mobility needs at the age of 26. Instead of allowing their disability to get them down, they decided to turn towards what they knew best, helping others. Ryann created an Instagram account called Chronically Ry, where they post photos, videos, and write ups showing her life and experiences living and working as a registered nurse with a chronic illness and degenerative disability.

They have accomplished quite a bit including: wearing the crown for Ms. Wheelchair Virginia through both 2020 and 2021, having their story featured in numerous platforms including Woman’s Day, Scrubs , Frisson, Teen Vogue, and Forbes magazines, expanding their online presence to include Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn, as well as amassing a following of over 19,000 people on their original Instagram page. Along with her disability advocacy work, Ryann has continued practicing as a registered nurse in the hospital setting throughout her disability journey and hopes to increase disability visibility and employment in the field of healthcare. 

Could have let everything they’ve been through bring their life to a screeching halt, but instead they continue to share their story, educate, advocate, and inform others about the needs, rights, and experiences of the disability community.

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Beth Wiesendanger is a leading voice in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and the Senior Manager of Diversity, & Inclusion at Etsy. Join us as we explore Beth's personal journey as a double amputee and delve into the importance of creating inclusive spaces that uplift disabled voices. Discover the significance of disability inclusion in the broader context of intersectional identities and gain insights on fostering access and representation for all. Explore practical strategies for breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive society that values every individual.

Beth Wiesendanger is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, currently serving as the Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility at Etsy. As a double amputee and prosthetic user, Beth's personal journey has shaped her commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities are seen, heard, and advocated for. With a successful career in corporate America, Beth is breaking barriers and leading the way for disabled individuals in the diversity and inclusion space. Her work emphasizes the importance of representation and the creation of inclusive spaces.

Connect with Beth on LinkedIn to learn more about her impactful work and engage in meaningful discussions on disability rights, intersectionality, and inclusion.

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We kick off Disability Pride Month by discussing the significance of celebrating the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Join Alycia Anderson and special guest, business partner and husband, Marty, as they explore the empowering aspects of disability, the challenges faced by the disabled community, and the importance of embracing our identities. Through their personal stories and experiences, Alycia and Marty challenge the notion that disability should be seen as a limitation and instead embrace it as an integral part of one's identity.

How disability pride can empower individuals, dismantle ableism, and pave the way for a more inclusive and accepting world. Discover the true power and potential of disabled individuals and learn how we can create inclusive spaces for everyone.

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In today's episode, meet Alycia Anderson, a fierce disability advocate and TedX speaker who is on a mission to empower change by disabling ableism.

Prepare to be inspired as Alycia shares her personal story of resilience and overcoming the countless obstacles she has faced due to ableism. From doctors recommending she be placed in long term care after birth to being denied opportunities for inclusion in school or the workplace, Alycia has experienced it all. Instead of allowing these challenges to define her, she has turned them into fuel for her advocacy work.

As we delve into the depths of ableism and uncover the power of advocacy, education, and allyship. Alycia's incredible resilience and unwavering dedication will leave you motivated to join the fight against ableism and make a difference in the lives of disabled individuals.

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Medicalnewstoday.com defines ableism as “...bias, prejudice, and discrimination against people with disabilities. It hinges on the idea that people with disabilities are less valuable than non-disabled people.” 

Ableism has been present Alycia's entire life.

Ableism came from the moment she was born, along with her twin sister. Doctors recommended she be placed in long term care, hospitals and not given the surgeries that she needed when she was born.

Alycia describes ableism as "the thief in the night of inclusion."

Disabling ableism is creating a world where we are creating products and services and infrastructure and social settings and education and employment, all of it where we're creating a path of accessibility for everyone where we're not looking at the able bodied only as the only box, we need to check off to make everything work.

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Alycia Anderson wants you to know disability is not a bad word. She wants you to say it, embrace it, love it, and hire it! She's a passionate disability advocate and TEDx speaker. This episodic podcast is an empowering journey, challenging societal norms and advocating for inclusivity through a disability lens. Alycia shares her experiences as a CEO who has lived her entire life from a wheelchair. You’ll also meet incredible people who share their inspiring stories of resilience, determination, advocacy and courage. This podcast will open your mind and your heart...because that’s how Alycia Anderson rolls.

"PUSHING FORWARD WITH ALYCIA" Episodes 1 and 2 drop June 29, 2023 with new episodes every Thursday.

Connect with Alycia: Feedback | Instagram | LinkedIn

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