Where The Ramp Ends

Representatives Nicole Miller and Ellen Hefner are leading voices in Oklahoma’s legislative efforts to improve disability policy, driven by personal experience and committed to lasting change. In this eye-opening episode of Where the Ramp Ends , representational leaders Nicole Miller and Ellen Hefner reveal how forming a bipartisan Disability Caucus is transforming policy, amplifying voices, and c...

Please subscribe, rate and review to help others find this podcast. Thank you for your support. The revolutionary power of advocacy rooted in lived experience—how one mother’s journey transformed disability policy nationwide Laura’s story defies expectations. Born in 1982 at a time when life for people with Down syndrome often ended too soon, she not only thrived but broke barriers—attending colle...

Maria Town, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, reveals how authentic inclusion and civic engagement can transform policy, communities, and lives. Discover how disability leadership on Capitol Hill is shaping laws that directly affect millions, from protecting Medicaid to ending the harmful SSI asset limits. Maria shares concrete strategies for advocates of all backg...

Most people underestimate how much state elections impact daily life—until accessibility, education, or healthcare policies are at stake. In this eye-opening episode, Oklahoma State Senator Julia Kirt and disability advocate Meske Owens reveal why voting at the state level is essential for progress on issues that matter most to people with disabilities. You'll discover how local elections influenc...

Breaking down the journey from diagnosis to advocacy — with heartfelt storytelling that transforms doubt into empowerment. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or advocate feeling overwhelmed by the challenges and seeking hope and practical tools, this episode is your blueprint for change. Imagine turning uncertainty into unstoppable advocacy. From the moment her daughter Rachel was born with Down syndr...

Don't forget to rate and review our podcast on Spotify! Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue sharing impactful stories. What happens when childhood friendship sparks a lifelong mission to transform education and community for people with disabilities? Dr. Patrick Schwarz shares a heartfelt story that reveals how personal experience and unwavering advocacy can reshape perception...

Please rate and review to help us reach others. Most people underestimate the power of simply sharing your story—and the profound impact it can have. Dr. Brad Mays, a man living with cerebral palsy and passionate advocate, reveals how authenticity and vulnerability transformed his life and advocacy journey in Oklahoma. Growing up and navigating a world that often overlooked accessibility, Brad sha...

Please hit the follow button and rate and review to help others find this podcast. Most people view success as a straight line — but Kyle Pease's story proves it’s a vibrant, unpredictable journey filled with resilience, love, and breakthroughs. When you're told you're never supposed to achieve what you dream of, Kyle flips the script, showing that passion and grit rewrite expectations...

Please rate and review to help others find this podcast. Thank you for your support! Most people view Down syndrome and children with disabilities through a narrow, often negative lens — but Shannon Pinkerton flips that perspective on its head. Shannon and her husband adopted six boys, five with Down syndrome, Shannon shares her inspiring, unfiltered journey of adopting, fostering, and loving chil...

Please rate and review! Hit the follow button and share! Help us grow our audience! Most parents of children with Down syndrome—and even advocates—would agree: understanding and navigating education policy can feel overwhelming and inaccessible. But what if your voice could shape real change, starting today? Ricki Sabia, Senior Education Policy Advisor at the National Down Syndrome Congress, share...

Please rate and review this podcast to help us reach more listeners. In this episode of Where the Ramp Ends, Bryce Wooten sits down with Morgan Davis, a passionate disability advocate living with cerebral palsy. They explore Morgan's journey through advocacy, the importance of representation, accessibility, and how societal perceptions shape experiences for people with disabilities. Main Topics: M...

Julie Forest Wyman’s documentary, The Tallest Dwarf , shatters misconceptions, offering a fresh perspective on body image, identity, and community. Set to premiere on PBS’s Independent Lens on April 6th, this powerful film invites you into a world often misunderstood and misrepresented, revealing the resilience, autonomy, and humor of little people with dwarfism. In this episode, Julie shares her...

Please follow, rate and review to help others find this podcast. You can find more about Comedians With Disabilities here . You can follow Where The Ramp Ends on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Most people don't realize that understanding the history behind disability rights can ignite your advocacy and reshape your entire perspective—until they hear Michael Beers’ powerful stories. In this episode...

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating and review to help others find it—and be sure to hit follow so you don’t miss new episodes! In this episode, Bryce Wooten and Summer Parrish engage with Bobby Kern, a professor and disability advocate, who shares his personal journey as a father of a son with Down syndrome. Bobby discusses the importance of transparency in sharing their experie...

Please Rate and Review to help others find us! And follow us wherever you are listening to this podcast, that will help us to continue to grow and reach more listeners. In this enlightening conversation, Guy Caruso discusses the principles of Social Role Valorization (SRV) and its evolution from normalization. He emphasizes the importance of helping individuals with disabilities achieve valued rol...

🎧 Follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help more people find the show. 📲 Like, share, and tag someone who needs to hear these conversations. Your support helps us keep these important discussions going. In this conversation, Bryce Wooten speaks with Jill Jacobs, the executive director of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabi...

🎧 Follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help more people find the show. 📲 Like, share, and tag someone who needs to hear these conversations. Unlock the true potential of independence for people with disabilities—Michelle Tetschner shares her inspiring journey of advocating for her son Raymond’s autonomous life, including living independently at 23...

In this episode of 'Where the Ramp Ends', host Summer Parrish and Bryce Wooten welcome Mike Dodd, a father and social media advocate for children with Down syndrome. Mike shares his personal journey of parenting his son Grayson, who has Down syndrome, discussing the emotional challenges and joys that come with the diagnosis. He emphasizes the importance of advocacy, representation, and the need fo...

In this episode of 'Where the Ramp Ends', hosts Summer Parrish and Bryce Wooten engage with Barbara Whinery, a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities. Barbara shares her journey of founding '4RKids', an organization dedicated to providing employment and support for individuals with disabilities. The conversation explores the importance of community, innovative employ...

Summary In this episode of 'Where the Ramp Ends,' hosts Summer Parrish and Bryce Wooten engage in a heartfelt conversation with Tyler Bond, a statewide disability advocate living on the autism spectrum. Tyler shares his personal journey, discussing the importance of individuality beyond labels, the impact of family support, and the misconceptions surrounding autism. He emphasizes the signi...

In this episode of 'Where the Ramp Ends', Summer Parrish and Bryce Wooten engage with Al Condeluci, a prominent advocate for disability inclusion and community building. Al shares his personal journey into advocacy, rooted in his childhood experiences with his cousin who had Down syndrome. The conversation explores the importance of social capital, the need for inclusive environments, and...

Most caregivers and educators overlook one of the most powerful tools for supporting children with disabilities: understanding trauma and lived experience. In this eye-opening episode of Where the Ramp Ends, mental health advocate Meski Owens shares how rethinking trauma-informed approaches can transform behavior management, foster genuine connection, and ultimately change systems that perpetuate...

What if crossing a finish line wasn’t just about winning a race, but about breaking barriers and rewriting perceptions? Rian and Bryce's story will challenge everything you believe about ability, inclusion, and friendship. When Rian and Bryce team up to they create a bond that transforms not only their lives but the narrative around what’s possible for the differently abled community—and for a...

In this introductory episode of Where the Ramp Ends, we sit down to get to know Bryce—his story, his work, and the values that guide how he shows up in advocacy spaces. Bryce shares how relationships, community, and intentional connection shape his approach to disability advocacy and systems change. We talk about why belonging matters more than programs alone, how listening changes outcomes, and w...

In our very first episode, hosts Summer Parrish and Bryce introduce Where the Ramp Ends—a podcast about disability, inclusion, and what happens after the bare minimum is met. We talk about why we started this show, what “access” really looks like in everyday life, and why lived experience matters more than performative inclusion. This episode sets the foundation for future conversations about pare...