Demand and Disrupt

Kimberly talks with Reese Williams about Dissociative Identity Disorder, the link between homelessness and mental illness, and the importance of places like Bridgehaven for people living with mental health disabilities. Plus Kimberly and Sam talk about a study showing higher rates of loneliness among people with disabilities. Visit Bridgehaven Mental Health Services Read more about the study on lo...

Kimberly talks to Carrie Sessarego, a blogger on a popular book review website. Carrie named her wheelchair the Blue Beetle, and she has found ways to individualize her mobility devices so that her personality shines through. In this episode, they talk about making mobility aids feel like more than medical devices, what makes healthy community, and whether audiobooks are actually reading. The answ...

Kimberly talks with Mary-Jo Lord, Coordinating Editor of Magnets and Ladders, a publication for people with disabilities to showcase various kinds of writing. The submission deadline for the fall/winter edition of Magnets and Ladders is August 15. To read the latest issue, visit Magnetsandladders.org Behindoureyes.org Video honoring the ADA's 35th anniversary Thanks to Chris Ankin for use...

Kimberly talks with Carissa and Keith about dealing with doctors, medical equipment, and the healthcare establishment as people with disabilities. They discuss a recent study that shows disabled people are discovering cancers at later stages because of the inaccessibility or difficulty of early cancer screening procedures for people with disabilities. Plus, Sam and Kimberly talk about disability p...

She first experienced vision complications at the age of 20, but never let this stop her from pursuing her aspirations...and we're beyond excited to welcome her to this episode of “Demand and Disrupt”!! She is Stephanie Levin of New Jersey, who holds titles ranging from PHD candidate, to student affairs assistant, to even recently published author! Her debut is entitled “Picking Up the Pieces: Fin...

Kimberly talks with Dr. Patrick Kitzman, professor of Physical Therapy at University of Kentucky, about assistive technologies and some innovative programs he’s involved with to help get assistive technology to the people who need it most across all of Kentucky. Below are links to some of the programs mentioned in the show: Various Assistive Technology Resources Centers (ATRC) in KY Kentucky Appal...

Kimberly and Leigh Anne McKingsley, Senior Director of Disability & Justice Initiatives of The Arc of the United States, talk about the death of Victor Perez at the hands of police, what training initiatives are underway to prevent such senseless tragedies in the future, and what help is available to people with disabilities and their family members when it comes to interacting with the crimin...

In this first CAL conversation, Kimberly and Carissa talk about the cost of disability. They discuss wheelchairs, kitchen gadgets, and everything in between. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Be sure to follow the Advocado Press Facebook page Visit Appalachian Assi...

Kimberly talks with Annie Lapidus about the joys and challenges of being in an immersive theater production about blindness, the importance of connection, and living with a rare disease. To learn more about Von Hippel-Lindau, visit vhl.org Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazo...

These days, virtually anything is possible for individuals with disabilities, and outdoor recreation is no exception! Here to prove just that is this week's guest, Greg Traynor, who hosts the “Accessible Hunter” podcast, along with his partner Mike Hudson. Greg continues to reap the benefits of the great outdoors, and is an active hunter just as he was prior to becoming a wheelchair user. Grab a c...

Kimberly talks with Dr. Kristel Scoresby, assistant professor of social work at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Scoresby is deaf, and they discuss cochlear implants, accommodations, and universal design. Visit Dr. Scoresby‘s ongoing website project at Hearinglossimpact.com Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilit...

Kimberly talks with self-described queer, disabled, feminist, Rabbi, Julia Watts Belser. Her book, Loving Our Own Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole , received the 2025 Grawemeyer Award for Religion from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the University of Louisville. They talk about grappling with spiritual texts as people with d...

If you're a listener seeking to make the most of your partial vision, this episode is designed with you in mind! We are pleased to be joined by Jennifer Hunt Spurling, who proudly serves as Communications Coordinator with the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation. The Eye Foundation recently opened a brand new low vision clinic inside Louisville's McDowell Center, and appointments are being scheduled. In...

Jessica Frew is a 23-year-old actress, model, and now author of the children’s book “The Nonverbal Princess.” Using her communication device, she is telling the world about the importance of equality for people with disabilities. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . B...

Kimberly talks with three of the hosts of the Canadian disability advocacy and assistive technology podcast, AT Banter. They talk about all things technology and the differences between disability justice in Canada and the United States. Then they grapple with the question, can AI deliver on its promises? Visit the podcast atbanter.com Visit Canadian Assistive Technology Begin learning about Terry...

Keith Hosey and Carissa Johnson interview Carolyn Wheeler, who simplifies the complicated and often confounding world of disability benefits. If you ever wondered how working would impact your benefits, this is absolutely the episode for you! Helpful links: Kentucky Hart Supported Living Program Life Plan of Kentucky Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor ABLE Act in Kentucky Disability Benef...

Sam talks with Ryan Creech from the Human Development Institute about his work making digital media accessible to people with all disabilities. They also talk about the Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund , which helps people with disabilities get low or no interest loans for assistive technology. They discuss Ryan’s chapter in the book, “A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Dis...

Kimberly talks with Dhaval Patel, founder and CEO of Lotus about the Lotus Ring, wearable device that is a cinch to hook up. Without installing an app or downloading software, the Lotus Ring turns off and on anything that uses a wall switch. Lotus is committed to Universal design and the social model of disability. Check out the product at Getlotus.com Kimberly talks about the extra stressors that...

Kimberly interviews National Council on Independent Living Executive Director Theo Braddy. They discuss the history and future of NCIL, attitudinal barriers, and the insidious nature of ableism. National Council on Independent Living Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here...

Kimberly talks with Paul Erway about overcoming not one but two major accidents, competing in wheelchair marathons in all 50 states, adaptive sports, and his work helping people regain their ability to drive with Superior Van & Mobility. Plus, Kimberly and Sam talk about all things Thanksgiving, especially the food. Spoiler alert, candied yams are gross. To learn more about Paul, visit https:/...

Chances are, you or someone you know would be a prime candidate for the Medicaid Waiver Program. Sam Moore interviews Sarah Duncan, Director of Waiver Services with Green River Area Development District . Sarah discusses Eligibility requirements and the process of becoming enrolled. This episode originally aired on Sam’s all-about-Kentucky podcast, Blabbin’ in the Bluegrass . Thanks to Chris Ankin...

Carissa Johnson and Keith Hosey interview Mark Johnson, a long-time powerhouse for change in the disability community. Mark and the Disability Caravan recently visited Carissa at the Murray office of the Center For Accessible Living. He talks about the early days of ADAPT, where the movement is now, and gives ideas for how we can get where we want to be. To learn more about Mark Johnson, visit htt...

Kimberly talks to Luda Gogolushko, founder of Includas Publishing, about the importance of disability representation in media. They discuss the evolution of how disabled people are portrayed in media, as well as the possibilities and pitfalls of AI for the representation of people with disabilities in media. Visit Includas Publishing’s offerings at Includas.com Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his...

Kimberly talks with Danielle Burton, Communications Accessibility Editor for the American Printing House for the Blind. They talk sports, public transportation woes, and haptics, which is a standardized system for providing and or receiving visual and environmental information as well as social feedback via touch signals on the body. For more about haptics, visit: Helen Keller Haptics Video Series...

Lisa talks with Rebecca Bridges about deciding to leave her successful career and homeschool her children, as well as what it’s like to be part of a blind couple raising a family together outside Washington DC. Check out the newly released audio version of Franke James’s book, "Freeing Teresa" on Audible.com and on freeingteresa.com . Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book &...