The Heumann Perspective

This episode, Judy interviews Joshua Basile. They discusses Josh's experience acquiring a disability and his journey to becoming an advocate in many areas. He shares his goals for disabled people to thrive, not just survive by creating community, improving Medicaid programs, increasing employment opportunities, and so much more. The transcript for this podcast episode is available here. About Josh...

This episode, Judy chats with Ann Cody and Cheri Blauwet. Ann and Cheri are both retired Paralympic athletes who have filled many different roles as leaders in the area of sports and disability. Judy, Ann and Cheri discuss the importance of including disabled people in sports, the evolution of the Paralympic movement, and more. The transcript for this podcast episode is available here. Ann Cody ov...

This episode, Judy interviews model, actor, producer, and advocate, Nyle DiMarco. Judy and Nyle chat about his journey from studying to become a math teacher, to winning America's Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars, to creating his own production company. They also discuss his recently released memoir, Deaf Utopia. The transcript for this podcast episode is available here. This interview is...

To honor the 45th anniversary of the 504 Sit-In that took place in 1977, Judy chats about the importance of teaching and learning about the history of the 504 Sit-In. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs. Dennis Billups is a blind disability rights and gentrification activist. He was Chief Morale Officer in the 504 disability rights sit-in of 1977 and contributed to the Netf...

This episode, Judy interviews actress, model, and social media content creator, Lauren 'Lolo' Spencer. Lolo and Judy chat about Lolo's impressive career path and aspirations, as well as her experience acquiring a disability as a teenager. Follow Lolo Spencer on Twitter and Instagram @itslololove Lolo Spencer is a Film Independent Spirit Award nominated actress, model, public speaker, and social me...

This episode, Judy interviews James Ian, and Zack and Zarek Elizondo. The three worked together with many others to create the song and music video SPACES, which was sponsered by Genentech as a part of the SMA My Way program, which was built to support and raise awareness for the Spinal Muscular Atrophy community. The transcript for this episode is available here. James Ian is a singer, songwriter...

This episode, Judy chats with her long-time friend, Colleen Starkloff. Colleen has expertise in many areas that are working towards fully integrating disabled people into society and enabling them to live independent, meaningful lives. The transcript for this episode is available here. Learn more about Colleen and the Starkloff Disability Institute here. Colleen Kelly Starkloff is co-founder, with...

This episode, Judy chats with Leroy Moore and Keith Jones, the co-founders of Krip Hop Nation. Enjoy their discussion with Judy about the work they're doing, together and individually, as artists and activists. The transcript for this episode is available here. 2021 Emmy award winning Leroy F. Moore Jr. is the founder of Krip Hop Nation. Since the 1990s, Moore has been a key member of Poor Magazin...

CONTENT WARNING: Please be advised that this episode includes conversations involving suicide, bullying, anti-semitism, and PTSD. This episode, Judy interviews Brandon Farbstein. They discuss their many shared experiences of public speaking, Judaism, theatre, writing, and more. Brandon also shares the personal stories that led him to where he is today, and why his work centers around elevating emp...

This episode, Judy interviews Jillian Mercado. Jillian is a model, actress and activist. Judy and Jillian chat about her life and career, as well as her experience of being the representation she always yearned to see growing up. At the end of this episode is a brand new segment called Ask Judy! Find this episode's transcript here. Follow Jillian on Twitter @jilly_peppa and on Instagram @jillianme...

We're kicking off 2022 with a special edition episode! Kylie Miller, the producer of The Heumann Perspective, steps in to interview Judy and her co-author, Kristen Joiner. Together, they wrote "Being Heumann: An unrepentant memoir of a disability rights activist" and the YA version, Rolling Warrior. Being Heumann formats and vendors: Find a hardcover copy at a local bookstore Find a paperback copy...

This episode, Judy chats with Pauline Castres about the relationship between environmental justice and disability. Pauline defines eco-ableism, describes how disabled people are disproportionately impacted by climate change, shares takeaways from COP26, explains why disability activists should also be environmental activists, and much more. Pauline is a climate change, disability rights, and globa...

This episode, Judy chats with the co-founders of Inevitable Foundation, Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. The Inevitable Foundation is a new non-profit organization dedicated to funding and mentoring professional disabled screenwriters. Their ultimate goal is to create a world where people with disabilities are valued both on and off screen. Richie is the co-founder and President of Inevi...

This episode, Judy is joined by Kathi Wolfe. Kathi is a writer who works in both journalism and poetry. She often writes about topics involving the LGBTQ+ and disability communities. Judy and Kathi discuss her journey to poetry, characters she's created, what inspires her, and so much more. She also reads two of her poems, "Tasting Braille" and "Dancing with Martha Graham." Follow Kathi on Twitter...

Judy converses with Andrea Dalzell, also known as The Seated Nurse. She is a Registered Nurse committed to ensuring that healthcare is informed by disability. She advocates for the inclusion of disabled healthcare providers, as well as better care for disabled patients. Not to mention, she is so much more than a nurse! Andrea is an activist, social media influencer, educator, nonprofit founder, at...

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Judy chats with Diego Mariscal and Hannah Frankl about their work supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities. Learn more about 2Gether-International at 2gether-international.org. Learn more about Google for Startups and find resources at startup.google.com. Diego Mariscal is the founder and CEO of 2Gether-International. He is disa...

This week, Judy is joined by Susan Reinhard. They chat about how vital it is to include disability in the conversation around aging and including aging in the conversation around disability as disability is a natural part of life and that people's disabilities evolve and change as they age and so will their needs Susan is a senior vice president at AARP, directing its Public Policy Institute (PPI)...

In this episode, Judy chats with two bad-ass disabled, Asian American researchers and long-time friends, Teresa Nyugen and Sandy Ho Register for the 2021 Disability Intersectionality Summit by going to their Twitter page! Follow the Disability Intersectionality Summit on Twitter @DISummit_org Follow Teresa on Instagram @teresa.grams Follow Sandy on Twitter @NotYourAvgHo101 Teresa is a curriculum d...

Kathy Martinez Kathy Martinez is an internationally recognized and Disability Rights leader and offers a compelling perspective on many disability issues as someone who was born blind. She joined Disability Rights Advocates as President/CEO in March 2021 after having spent six years as SVP, Head of Disability and Accessibility Strategy for Wells Fargo. Previously, she served as Assistant Secretary...

Judy is chatting with Emily and Ellen Ladau, who are a mother-daughter duo that have the same physical disability. Emily and Ellen talk to Judy about their evolving relationship, working on Emily's upcoming book and their journey into activism. Transcript: PDF About Emily Ladau Emily is a passionate disability rights activist, writer, storyteller, and digital communications consultant whose career...

In this episode, Judy is chatting with Elijah Armstrong and Anna Landre about the ableism they experienced in education that motivated them to be activists. Be sure to follow Elijah on Twitter @elijahsaprophet and follow Anna @annalandre. Elijah Armstrong is an activist from Jacksonville, Florida, who received his Bachelor of Science in Education and Public Policy from Penn State in 2019, and his...

In this episode, Judy is chatting with Judith Snedeger, a disabled woman from Kentucky who was put under guardianship and stripped of her rights once she turned 18. With the support from a whole team of people including from one of our other guests, Laura Butler from My Choice Kentucky, Judith successfully fought to terminate her guardianship. Along with Laura and Judith, Judy is joined by Elysia...

In this episode, Judy is chatting with Lydia X.Z. Brown along with Anna Landre who will co-moderate this episode. Anna Landre was a student in Lydia's Disability Studies class at Georgetown University. This is a jam-packed episode as Lydia, Judy and Anna talk about the necessary evolution and growth of the disability movement towards a Disability Justice framework as we celebrate Disability Pride...

Annie Segarra Annie Segarra, also known as Annie Elainey, is a queer, Latinx and disabled American YouTuber, artist, and activist for LGBTQ+ and disability rights. Through the art of storytelling, Annie has cultivated an authentic online community where they share moments of heartache and moments of them dancing on a stool to showtunes. Content Note:  There is discussion about eating disorders, bo...

Judy is chatting with Wendy Lu and Cara Reedy about disability inclusion and ableism in journalism. Wendy Lu is the staff news editor and national reporter at HuffPost, covering the intersection of disability, politics and culture.  Cara Reedy is the Program Manager for DREDF's Disability Media Alliance Project (DMAP). DMAP is changing the way disability is represented in all forms of media from t...