The Politics of Disability

Content warning: Mentions of suicidal thoughts, depression, mass shootings In part 2 of this very special bonus episode, Mary continues  her conversation with Dom Kelly, the Georgia Fundraising Director and the Director of Disability Engagement & Accessibility for Stacey Abrams’ campaign for Governor of Georgia. The two discuss the political nature of disability/Disability Rights, the American...

Content warning: Mentions of children's death In part 1 of this very special bonus episode, Mary speaks with friend, former colleague at Neighborhood Access, and fellow advocate Dom Kelly. Dom Kelly is currently the Georgia Fundraising Director and the Director of Disability Engagement & Accessibility for Stacey Abrams’ campaign for Governor of Georgia. Previously, he was Senior Fundraisi...

In part one of this episode, Mary is joined by fellow advocate, Jocy Mondragon. The two discuss ableism within the medical model, generational trauma, and yes, even Encanto . Warning: Movie spoilers in this episode Jocelyn Mondragon, also known as Jocy is dedicated to building community by sharing Disability y Latinidad through a political and creative lens. She's a content creator, activist,...

Episode content warning: Profanity and brief mention of abuse In part 2 of this episode, Mary and Elle continue their conversation. The two discuss being Deaf and Jewish, the pandemic, mask wearing as a Deaf person, and Elle’s message to the non-disabled community. You can watch Elle sign "The Matzah That Papa Brought Home" here . You can follow Elle on social media here . Elle is a Jewi...

In this latest episode, Mary talks with one of her closest friends and fellow advocate Elle Zusi. The two discuss navigating the world as a deaf person, both personally and professionally. They dive into identifying language and the nuances surrounding it, as well as embracing one’s own disability identity. Elle is a Jewish DeafDisabledAutistic Queer Non-Binary Artist based in Portland, OR. Elle s...

Content warning: Mentions of eugenics and ableism As part of Autism Acceptance Month, Mary continues the conversation with her colleague from Neighborhood Access , Eryn Star. The two discuss digital drag, disabled drag artists, disabled artists occupying ableist spaces, the intersection of activism and drag, the pandemic and mental health. Eryn Star (They/Them/He/Him) is an autistic trans queer ac...

Content warning: Mentions of transphobia and police violence In honor of Trans Visibility Week and Autism Acceptance Month, Mary talks with her colleague from Neighborhood Access , Eryn Star. The two discuss at length about how ableism leads the non-disabled community to form opinions when it comes to the disabled community, autonomy, and gender identity as well as how ableism and transphobia are...

Content warning: Profanity,  ableist language, talk of homophobia, ableism and eugenics In this brief but impactful interview, Mary and author/disability rights advocate Sean Gold  discuss the misconceptions of being non-verbal, ableism, navigating multi-marginalized identities, and the pandemic. As Sean is non-verbal, Adam Ross voiced for him during the interview.  Sean Gold (he/him) is a black,...

Content warning: Profanity, talk of homophobia, ableism, and eugenics In the second half of this interview, Mary and Cami Randleman discuss growing up in the church, the homophobia they've faced, gender identity, accepting their sexuality, how disability intersects with all of that and more. ⠀ Cami describes themself as follows: ⠀ “I am a Black 26 year old non-binary person. I have had mental...

Content warning: Mild cursing, mentions of harassment by law enforcement The Disabled Student Union at UCLA (DSU) provides a safe and inclusive place for disabled, neurodivergent, and ill people to feel accepted. Its purpose is to empower students through advocacy, education, and pride, build relationships with the administration and wider community, remove access barriers on campus, and advocate...

Content warning: Brief mention of assault Episode note: Cami has asked that it be acknowledged that at the time of recording, they misspoke regarding the specific term "endometrium." In the first half of this episode, Mary is joined by Cami Randleman as they discuss the myths and stigmas that come along with chronic pain, the reality of living with endometriosis, and how others react to...

In part two of Mary and Makahla's conversation, the two discuss medical racism even further, intersectionality, the pandemic, vaccine hesitancy within the Black community, and what Makahla's message to the non-disabled community is. The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

In the first part of this conversation filled episode of The Politics of Disability, Mary Fashik, the founder of Upgrade Accessibility and disability activist  Makahla Jackson discuss medical racism, biases,  as well as chronic illness. In part two, the pair will discuss intersectionality, COVID, vaccine hesitancy within the Black community, and what Makahla's message to the non-disabled comm...

In the premiere episode of The Politics of Disability podcast, the founder of Upgrade Accessibility, Mary Fashik and disability activist Syanne Bloom discuss the ableism in medical settings and in the pageant world, as well as navigating the pandemic. The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.