Transcript and Youtube version [CC].

This episode, Emma interviews two couples! First, you'll hear from Chloe and Alex (@SticksAndCopper on social media) about their experience as an interabled couple. Then, you'll hear from Carrie and Alex about their relationship as an engaged couple who both are disabled.

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting by sharing this episode, rating the show, contributing to our GoFundMe, or buying me a coffee!

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Full Episode Transcript and Youtube version [CC].

This episode, Emma speaks with actor Zak Ford-Williams! They discuss his breakout role as Lord Remington on the most recent season of Bridgerton, disability representation in period dramas, and his acting career thus far.

Zak Ford-Williams trained at the Manchester School of Theatre, graduating in 2020. His theatre credits include: The Real & Imagined History of the Elephant Man (Nottingham Playhouse); A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story (Nottingham Playhouse/Alexandra Palace); We Were Told There Was Dancing, Nothing (Royal Exchange Theatre); Coram Boy, Attempts on Her Life, Play, The Duchess of Malfi, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, The Seagull, Time and the Conways (Manchester School of Theatre). His screen credits include: The Hardacres (Channel 5); Bridgerton (Netflix); Better (Sister Pictures/BBC); Wolfe (Sky); Midsomer Murders (ITV); Mobility (BBC Three); Battery (104 Films).

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Full Episode Transcript and Youtube version [CC].

Happy Pride Month! This episode of The Wheelchair Activist, Emma speaks with Annie Segarra, Ezra Johnson, and Jasper Williams about the intersections of being a part of both the disabled and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Annie Segarra is a dedicated activist, content creator, and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community; she is queer and gender fluid and alternates between, she/they/he pronouns. Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other co-occurring conditions, she is well-known for her advocacy work in disability rights, as well as, body positivity, mental health, and social justice, using her engaging videos and insightful discussions to raise awareness. 

Ezra Johnson is a Campaigns and Communications Officer at Transport for All. He started working there after becoming disabled, developing a seizure disorder and chronic pain which changed his life drastically overnight.

Jasper Armitage-Williams is a profoundly Deaf wheelchair user and openly trans man. As a queer man, he's been involved in LGBTQ+ activism since 2012 when setting up his school's support group. In 2021, he founded WheelieQueer, offering disability benefits support, inclusion training, and pride accessibility consultancy. With a background as a former trans officer at Bangor University and LGBT+ officer for NUS Wales, Jasper brings extensive experience to advocacy. Most recently, he was shortlisted for two Scope awards for his dedication to disability activism.

BSL interpretation for this episode was provided by CoSign.

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Full Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hq4CW9apOvepm5Saurz5kOmU3S-okTqc/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106641314972831086485&rtpof=true&sd=true

Youtube version [CC]: https://youtu.be/dwW75ZNCehE

This episode of The Wheelchair Activist, Emma speaks to author Melissa Whitney about disability representation in romance novels. Melissa is a legally blind woman who explores themes of disability, mental health, trauma, and family in her novels. Her debut novel titled In the Hello and in the Goodbye was just released in April, and she has another book coming out in July called Finding Home.

US and UK listeners can order In the Hello and in the Goodbye and pre-order Finding Home on Melissa's website: www.melissawhitneywrites.com

Follow Melissa on Instagram at @Melissa_WhitneyAuthor

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CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses mental health and related sensitive topics. Please take care while listening.

Full Episode Transcript

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This episode of The Wheelchair Activist is all about mental health and disability. Given the importance of the topic, this episode is split into two parts. First, Emma interviews Fern Lulham-- A blind public speaker and mental health counselor. They discuss the intersection of disability and mental health, the barriers disabled people face when seeking mental health services, Fern's perspectives as a therapist with a disability, and much more. Then, you'll hear clips sent in by two listeners, Fuchsia and Mel, sharing their mental health journeys as disabled women.

Learn more about Fern at FernLulham.com and on Instagram, Facebook and X at @missfernlulham.

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Full Episode Transcript

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In the Season Three premiere of the Wheelchair Activist Podcast, join Jillian Curwin—a disability advocate and fashion enthusiast. Jillian discusses her frustrations with the fashion industry's inclusivity, emphasizing the ongoing journey for true representation. The episode explores disability representation, highlighting both progress and challenges. The conversation takes unexpected turns, touching on topics like the new Willy Wonka movie and the upcoming Snow White film. Tune in for a genuine exploration of inclusivity in the fashion industry and unexpected conversations that matter.

Learn more about Jillian:

Jillian on Instagram

Jillian's podcast Always Looking Up

Jillian's website

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Dom was born with a severe form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (more commonly known as Brittle Bones). He had more than 25 broken bones during birth, is of short stature and uses a powered wheelchair for his mobility.

Dom joined the Purple Goat agency team in February 2021 as Head of Strategy - the world's first and only disability-led and disability focused agency looking to create the most inclusive, representative and forward thinking marketing campaigns in the world by integrating disability knowhow and lived-experience.The agency has seen tremendous growth over the last couple of years, with international clients including Meta, Virgin Media, the EU and Starling Bank. They wholeheartedly adhere to the mantra of "Nothing about Us, Without Us."

Dom’s first real exposure to the world of Media came when he starred in C4’s award winning documentary ‘Crip on Trip’ - documenting the travels of him and his non-disabled school mates interrailing around Europe. After studying Management at Warwick Uni in the UK, Dom secured a place on the C4 Graduate scheme. This led him to work at the sports TV production company Sunset+Vine as a producer working across output including the landmark Paralympic coverage in 2012 and 2016. He has since worked in various digital media, marketing and communications roles, which led him to founding Tiny Man Digital, a digital marketing agency that helps diverse companies shine online.

He is also the founding editor of the Disability Power100 - Power List of Disability, which inspires the younger generations of people with disabilities by showcasing a list of powerful leaders in diverse industries.

Follow Dom on Instagram

Follow Dom on Twitter

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Alan Benson is a disability rights activist and campaigner, with a particular interest in accessible travel. As a wheelchair user Alan has a firm belief in a pan impairment approach based on a lifetime of lived experience of discrimination and barriers. He credits much of his knowledge and success to the amazing, supportive online community.

As Chair of Transport for All and Deputy Chair at London Travelwatch he is a passionate advocate for public transport, for which he was awarded an MBE in 2022. He is also a trustee at Ruils, the independent living charity and a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts.

Prior to this Alan spent a 25 year career running IT teams building and running large computer systems supporting thousands of users all over the UK.

He lives in Richmond-upon-Thames where, in 2022, he was proud to be awarded Freedom of the Borough, though he remains disappointed that this does not actually give him the right to drive geese over Richmond Bridge.

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Peta Hooke is the creator and host of The I Can’t Stand Podcast. She is thirty-something living in Melbourne, with Cerebral Palsy. Peta is a passionate advocate for the disability community through educating non-disabled people on what it is actually like to live with a disability.

The I Can’t Stand Podcast, is a weekly podcast answering the audiences’ questions they have about disability. There is no wrong question. Every question is on the table. The podcast can be found on all major podcasting platforms including Apple, Google and Spotify.

If you have a question for the podcast or would like to get in touch with her, you can:

Follow Peta on Instagram @petahooke

Send Peta an email [email protected]

Contact Peta at www.icantstandpodcast.com

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Zoe Portlock is a Digital Accessibility Expert who established and now leads Accessibility for the UKs biggest investment platform. Zoe also writes about digital accessibility for Scope.

Her work and advocacy is informed by her lived experience. She is autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, has Irlen Syndrome, M.E/CFS and fibromyalgia.

Zoe is a tenacious advocate for all people with access needs, driven to ensure all users have the equal digital experience they deserve.

Follow Emma on TikTok and Instagram

Donate to The Wheelchair Activist

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