You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast

By Disability Rights Florida

What's You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast about?

You First is a bi-weekly interview-based podcast hosted by Keith Casebonne and Maddie Crowley. In each episode, we delve into issues of national and global importance to people with disabilities, such as accessibility, identity, discrimination, rights protections, voting, and much more.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast episodes:

04.04.2024
Episode 65: History of the Mad Movement
In this episode of You First, co-hosts Keith and Maddie speak with Indigenous activist and disability rights leader Vesper Moore about the Mad Movement, psychiatric survivorship, and envisioning a future of collective care. Vesper, deeply involved in mental health and...
03.21.2024
Episode 64: Global Disability Progress
In today's episode, we are joined by two international disability advocates, Rosangela Berman Bieler and Patricia Almeida. During our conversation, we discuss the importance and impact of global disability policy and rights work, including their work with the UN and...
03.07.2024
Episode 63: Inclusive Disaster & Emergency Strategies
In this week's episode, co-hosts Keith and Maddie talk with The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies' Co-Directors Shaylin Sluzalis & Germán Parodi. The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) is the only U.S. disability-led, 501(c)(3) organization that prioritizes equity,...
02.22.2024
Episode 62: Disability Activism Through Art
In this episode of You First, we talk with Jen White Johnson (she/they), a renowned artist, educator, and disability activist who uses the arts as a medium to champion the life, joy, and experiences of the disabled and neurodivergent community. Jen...
02.08.2024
Episode 61: The ABCs of IEPs
Two Disability Rights Florida education advocates, April Katine and Daysi Ortiz, join Keith in education planning for students with disabilities. The three discuss the importance of individual education plans (IEPs) and transition planning and offer tips on how parents can...
01.25.2024
Episode 60: Disability Inclusive Campaigning
01.11.2024
Episode 59: Say the Word: Disability
In this episode of You First, hosts Keith and Maddie discuss the impact of language on disability rights and inclusion with advocates Lawrence Carter-Long, Damian Gregory, and Laura-Lee Minutello. The conversation highlights the #SayTheWord disability campaign, personal experiences with disability-related language,...
12.19.2023
Episode 58: Disability and LGBTQ+ History, Law, and Solidarity
In this bonus episode, You First Podcast host Maddie talks with 5 guests about various legal and medical precedents that have led to the division between the disability and LGBTQ+ communities. The history between the LGBTQ+ community and the disability community...
11.30.2023
Episode 57: Against Technoableism
In this episode, guests Ashley Shew and Mallory Kay Nelson discuss the concept of technoableism, the history of disability and technology, and the importance of involving disabled people when developing new technologies. They highlight the challenges surrounding the definition of...
11.16.2023
Episode 56: Willowbrook and the Future of Disability Rights
In this episode, co-hosts Maddie and Keith talk with Dr. Bill Bronston and Marlene Sallo about Willowbrook State School, its exposé, and its impact on the disability rights movement. The episode starts with our conversation with Dr. Bronston, a doctor...
11.02.2023
Episode 55: Neurodiversity in the Legal Field
You First podcast co-hosts Keith and Maddie are joined by disability activists and legal scholars AJ Link, Jalyn Radziminski, and Haley Moss, who identify as neurodiverse and disabled. They shared their personal stories and insights about their experiences with law...
10.19.2023
Episode 54: Building Disabled & LGBTQ+ Community
In this episode of You First, we chat with our friend Beck DeTrempe who is doing some awesome peer led community building in Florida. They founded Basically Wonderful, which is a grassroots organization run by Queer + Disabled folks in Orlando,...
10.05.2023
Episode 53: Disability Is Not Scary
With one of their favorite holidays just around the corner, co-hosts Maddie and Keith delve into a serious discussion on using disability as a tool for instilling fear in others, all in the name of Halloween fun. From dressing up...
09.21.2023
Episode 52: Podcasting with a Disability
On today's episode, we chat with the co-hosts of The Accessible Stall podcast, Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian! These two disabled podcasting stars were some of the first podcasters with disabilities when they got their start in 2016. They are both...
08.03.2023
Episode 51: Our Toolkit to Tackle Life’s Milestones
As we head back to school in a few weeks, we wanted to highlight our new Transition Toolkit. Transition is a term to describe when youth are moving into a new phase of life. Think about big transitioning moments in...
07.20.2023
Episode 50: Paving a Way Disabled in STEM
Guest Dr. Anita Marshall joins hosts Keith and Maddie to talk about her work to make STEM more accessible for students with disabilities. As someone who acquired a disability later in life, she realized how ableist and inaccessible higher education...
07.06.2023
Episode 49: Who's Missing in Florida's New Youth Survey
A little over one year ago, Florida decided to stop participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) voluntary Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Since 1991, Florida participated in the YRBS. It is widely given to youth across...
06.22.2023
Episode 48: Frida: Disability, Sexuality, and Art
In honor of Pride Month, upcoming Disability Pride Month, and the opportunity to always highlight cool disabled people, let’s talk about Frida Kahlo. Many are aware of the legendary artist, Frida Kahlo: her famous artwork, impact on culture, and iconic...
06.08.2023
Episode 47: Disability and Indigenous Identity
Guest Jen Deerinwater joins host Maddie Crowley to talk about the intersection of disability and Indigenous identities. Jen is a disabled Two Spirit Indigenous individual who is an award-winning journalist, organizer, and leader within the disability, Indigenous and environmental justice movements....
05.11.2023
Episode 46: Hurricane Season and Disaster Preparedness
June 1st is the beginning of hurricane season. As Floridians know, it can be a mixed bag as to what storms we’re going to get. But hurricanes impact other states around the country, and it’s important to be prepared and...
04.27.2023
Episode 45: Digital Accessibility
With our lives and world becoming more connected and reliant on the internet, what does that mean for people with disabilities? The internet can be a great way for disabled folks to connect, especially as access barriers and safety considerations...
04.13.2023
Episode 44: Disabled Marriage and Parenting - Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of a conversation with Heather Watkins and Dom Evans about marriage inequity, disabled relationships in the media, and disabled parenting! Please check out our show notes from part 1 for more background information and relevant links...
03.30.2023
Episode 43: Disabled Marriage and Parenting - Part 1
In February, we created a blog post on disability marriage inequality. We knew people would be interested in the topic, but were taken aback by the immense engagement and shock felt by our audience. Because of that, we wanted to create a...
03.16.2023
Episode 42: Honoring Judy Heumann
On March 4th, 2023, the world was shaken by the passing of the legendary disability rights activist and leader Judith (Judy) Heumann. She is considered “The Mother of the Disability Rights Movement” and is frankly a badass. Judy was essential...
03.14.2023
Episode 41: Medicaid Unwinding
Medicaid Unwinding in Florida starts on April 1, 2023. With information coming from various Florida agencies and organizations, it can be hard to get clear information about what is happening with Medicaid eligibility. The Medicaid Unwinding process can feel overwhelming,...
02.23.2023
Episode 40: International Disability Media and Advocacy
In this episode of You First, we chat with Alan Herbert, a Kenyan journalist, social inclusion advocate, and behavior change communications professional. He brings on a wealth of experience in inclusive media practices, leadership, and advocacy. Alan currently serves as a...
02.02.2023
Episode 39: 2023 Disability Policies on Our Watch
Our first episode of the new year focuses on our legislative priorities for 2023. Florida's legislative session starts in March, and Disability Rights Florida has been following the conversations around what bills and topics will be featured. Many of these...
10.27.2022
Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 6 - Accessible In-Person Voting
Let's talk about Accessible In-Person Voting in the sixth and final episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!" It’s almost Election Day - and you have the right to vote in person with accessible options. On this episode...
10.20.2022
Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 5 - Running for Office with a Disability
Let's talk about Running for Office with a Disability in the fifth episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!" On today’s episode, we’re excited to have guests Sarah Blahovec, Olivia Babis, Karolyn Campbell, and Sabrina Cohen. These four...
10.13.2022
Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 4 - Understanding the Disability Vote
Let's talk about Understanding the Disability Vote in the fourth episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!" In this two-part episode, we talk about the disability community, their access to voting, what barriers are up against the disability...
10.06.2022
Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 3 - Intersectionality and Voting
Let's talk about Voting and Intersectionality in the third episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!" In this episode, we talk to Jazlyn Gallego from Vote Riders about intersectionality and how marginalized voters are impacted in the election...
09.29.2022
Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 2 - Accessible Vote by Mail
Let's talk about Accessible Vote by Mail in the second episode of our new series, "Your Voice, Your Vote!" In this episode, we talk with Doug Hall and Marsha Bukala, two Floridians with disabilities who have fought for and now...
09.22.2022
Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 1 - Disability Voting Laws
Let’s talk about disability voting laws in the first episode of our new series: "Your Voice, Your Vote"! In today's episode, we talk with Michelle Bishop, the National Disability Rights Network’s Voter Access and Engagement Manager. She has extensive academic...
09.15.2022
New Series Trailer: Your Voice, Your Vote!
As we approach the 2022 Elections, we want to focus in on all things disability and voting. The disability community makes up a fourth of the population, making it a very powerful voting block! Even though this is a huge...
08.18.2022
Episode 38: The Intersection of Disability and Reproductive Justice
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we’ve seen huge repercussions for people’s safety, health, access to medical care, and more. And we know that the overruling impacts people differently, depending on who you are. If you have marginalized identities,...
07.21.2022
Episode 37: Investing in the Success of Employees with Disabilities
Today on the podcast we have guest Neil Romano, a member and former chair of the National Council on Disabilities where he is serving his second three-year term. A former Communications Director at the White House, Neil was nominated by President...
06.09.2022
Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 6: Research
The sixth and final episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about Research. We are excited to have Rua Mae Williams on the podcast to talk about accessible research. They are an academic researcher who studies how technology...
06.02.2022
Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 5: Video Gaming
The fifth episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about Video Gaming. We chat with James Rath, a legally blind film director, accessibility advocate, and speaker. In his accessibility efforts, he provides video game and console accessibility reviews,...
05.26.2022
Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 4: Recreation
The fourth episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about Recreation. Today we have two guests on the podcast to talk about various aspects of recreation, and how we can make recreation more accessible for all, including people...
05.19.2022
Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 3: Fashion
The third episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about Fashion. We’ve all struggled to find clothes that fit well, we feel good in, or are just right for the occasion we are going to. However, these are everyday struggles...
05.12.2022
Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 2: City Planning
The second episode of our "Accessibility Outside the Box" series is about City Planning. We interviewed Nora Libertun, a global leading expert on urban planning and design, sustainability, and social inclusion. Her work revolves around making everything in a city...
05.05.2022
Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 1: Travel and Vacationing
Welcome to the first episode of "Accessibility Outside the Box!" Today we talk about Travel and Vacationing. We spoke to Olivia Shivas and Rebecca Dubber to learn more about this topic. They host a great podcast called What’s Wrong With...
04.28.2022
New Series Trailer: Accessibility Outside the Box
We are happy to announce our new six-episode series we call, “Accessibility Outside the Box!” Most of us are aware by now of what it means for something to be accessible: a ramp into a building for a person who...
03.16.2022
Encore Episode 3: Accessibility in Florida Prisons
We’ll be back in April with new episodes. But until then we’re releasing encore presentations of several early episodes that matter just as much today as they did when they were originally recorded. This month, we bring you our 14th...
02.16.2022
Encore Episode 2: The Right to Recovery
We’ll be back in April with new episodes. But until then we’re releasing encore presentations of several early episodes that matter just as much today as they did when they were originally recorded. This month we bring you “The Right...
01.19.2022
Encore Episode 1: Supported Decision-Making
We’ll be back with new episodes in April, so until then we’ll be releasing encore presentations of several early episodes that still ring true today. This month, we present our fifth episode, titled Supported Decision-Making. This episode was originally published...
12.09.2021
Episode 33: Services for Veterans with Disabilities
In this episode, Jordan Kuveke-Guyton, a Veteran’s Affairs Accredited Attorney with Chad Barr Law, and Ann Siegel, the Legal Director at Disability Rights Florida, discuss options available to veterans with disabilities, many of which you might not be aware of. Not...
11.18.2021
Episode 32: Always an Advocate
In this episode of You First, we talk to Angela Muir Van Etten. Angela just published her third book, Always an Advocate, which is full of both practical advocacy advice and many interesting stories. There will always be a need...
10.20.2021
Episode 31: Finding and Keeping Quality Employment
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In this episode of the You First podcast, we wanted to bring some awareness to a group right here in Florida that created some amazing resources to help people with disabilities find and...
09.14.2021
Episode 30: By and For People with Disabilities
In Episode 23 of the You First podcast, we talked about the representation of people with disabilities in the media, how that has evolved over the years, improving in some ways, but more often still faltering with poor and inaccurate...

What's You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast episodes:

Episode 65: History of the Mad Movement

Episode 64: Global Disability Progress

Episode 63: Inclusive Disaster & Emergency Strategies

Episode 62: Disability Activism Through Art

Episode 61: The ABCs of IEPs

Episode 60: Disability Inclusive Campaigning

Episode 59: Say the Word: Disability

Episode 58: Disability and LGBTQ+ History, Law, and Solidarity

Episode 57: Against Technoableism

Episode 56: Willowbrook and the Future of Disability Rights

Episode 55: Neurodiversity in the Legal Field

Episode 54: Building Disabled & LGBTQ+ Community

Episode 53: Disability Is Not Scary

Episode 52: Podcasting with a Disability

Episode 51: Our Toolkit to Tackle Life’s Milestones

Episode 50: Paving a Way Disabled in STEM

Episode 49: Who's Missing in Florida's New Youth Survey

Episode 48: Frida: Disability, Sexuality, and Art

Episode 47: Disability and Indigenous Identity

Episode 46: Hurricane Season and Disaster Preparedness

Episode 45: Digital Accessibility

Episode 44: Disabled Marriage and Parenting - Part 2

Episode 43: Disabled Marriage and Parenting - Part 1

Episode 42: Honoring Judy Heumann

Episode 41: Medicaid Unwinding

Episode 40: International Disability Media and Advocacy

Episode 39: 2023 Disability Policies on Our Watch

Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 6 - Accessible In-Person Voting

Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 5 - Running for Office with a Disability

Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 4 - Understanding the Disability Vote

Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 3 - Intersectionality and Voting

Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 2 - Accessible Vote by Mail

Your Voice, Your Vote: Episode 1 - Disability Voting Laws

New Series Trailer: Your Voice, Your Vote!

Episode 38: The Intersection of Disability and Reproductive Justice

Episode 37: Investing in the Success of Employees with Disabilities

Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 6: Research

Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 5: Video Gaming

Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 4: Recreation

Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 3: Fashion

Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 2: City Planning

Accessibility Outside the Box - Episode 1: Travel and Vacationing

New Series Trailer: Accessibility Outside the Box

Encore Episode 3: Accessibility in Florida Prisons

Encore Episode 2: The Right to Recovery

Encore Episode 1: Supported Decision-Making

Episode 33: Services for Veterans with Disabilities

Episode 32: Always an Advocate

Episode 31: Finding and Keeping Quality Employment

Episode 30: By and For People with Disabilities