We talk with two advocates about their experience working in progressive movements where disability is not the primary focus.
Maya Chupkov has worked as an organizer on issues such as affordable housing and promoting democracy. In the past, she has experienced challenges in getting other organizers to understand her stuttering disability.
Maya Chupkov is the producer and host of the podcast “Proud Stutter”
Dr. Rowan Fairgrove (1)
The Rev. Rowan Fairgrove, EP is involved with the Poor Peoples Campaign. This movement aims to unite low-income U.S. citizens to advocate for social and economic justice. Fairgrove talks about the challenges she faces as a wheelchair user at these campaign events and why it is important for alliance building between the progressive and disability communities.
Accessible currency with different size notes, braille, large print denominations, and high color contrast have been implemented by over a hundred countries. On March 10, the American Council for the Blind organized a rally outside theWhite House to demand accessible currency in the U.S. as the Treasury is redesigning the $20 bill to include a portrait of Harriet Tubman.
On Saturday, March 25, 5pm Pacific Daylight time is sold out in-person, but you may be able to watch it live streamed online at thedisabilitycollective.com as we celebrate the intersectionality of queer and disabled identities!
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Thanks to Kevin Gotkin for “Crip News”, his excellent weekly roundup of disability arts and politics. You can subscribe to Crip News at CripNews.substack.com There is a free version.
Dr. Rowan Fairgrove (2)
Maya Chupkov
Produced by and Interviews by Jacob Lesner-Buxton.
This week, a national CDC study found that nearly 3 in 5 (57%) of teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021 — double that of boys. This is a nearly 60% increase and the highest level in the past decade.
For the young people, their families, and friends, it was just a reminder of something they already knew. We have a national mental health crisis in the U.S. and there is a stunning lack of resources to help.
In addition, in the North Bay of California, deaths involving fentanyl went up a whopping 2,550% in the five years since 2017. This is on top of the opioid crisis across the U.S.
The CDC recommended more support for girls and other teens in their schools and Sonoma County put up billboards warning about the death-dealing power of fentanyl.
But other people have a technological solution, one that will make them rich from our mental health and addiction crisis. Their monitoring solutions could affect millions of people with mental and emotional disabilities and addiction problems.
As our guest Sarah Roth explains, it could put many of us into virtual asylums.
She has a BA in Political Science and Psychology from Vassar and has been a congressional intern. Her organizing work with anti-militarism groups resisting incursions on human, democratic, and civil rights around the globe has led her to work on local policing, criminal procedure, and Dept of Homeland Security policies.
She’s here today to talk about the scale and speed at which mass surveillance is discriminating and violating civil liberties. Her recent article on this topic is titled, The Virtual Asylum Replacing Mental Health Care.
We delve into the world of people with disabilities who identify as nerds and geeks. While some might think the term is insulting, our guests today wear these titles as a badge of honor.
Emily Bridges(R) at LA Comic Con. with Denzel and Kevin Conroy
Rachael Davis
Disability advocates Emily Bridges and Rachael Davis talk about the different aspects of nerd culture and why they find the community accepting of those with disabilities.
Max McClure
Max McClure talks about the challenge of making geek culture accessible.
One of Katie O’Rear’s Chickens
Lastly we hear from Katie O’Rear, a self-described chicken geek.
So today, as you polish your Star Wars action figures, turn off “Weird Al” and listen to Pushing Limits instead.
Emily Bridges, MPH, CHES, Pronouns: She/Her/Hers, is a Public Health Advocate at the Independent Living Resource Center in Ventura, California.
1. The Geeky Gimp (NOTE: The website’s creator uses the term “gimp” as a way to reclaim an oppressive word and turn it into a word of empowerment):
2. Disabled Gamers, Geeks, and Nerds on Facebook. A community for PWD to share thoughts on”anything geek oriented.
3. The Learned Fangirl: Committed to providing critiques from women and people of color on pop culture, technology, and other related topics.
——DISASTER RELIEF————
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
Residents who were affected by the severe storms and flooding can update their FEMA applications and learn about state and community programs and other available assistance.
Each DRC provides the following standard accessibility resources:
On-site American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter
Remote ASL interpreting through Zoom
Assistive listening devices (Pocket talkers)
Magnifying glasses
Manual wheelchairs
Language translation services (in-person and/or telephonically)
People who can assist survivors to read/write/complete forms
The Merced County DRC:
Merced County Fairgrounds (Yosemite Building)
900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Merced, CA 95341
Hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Dates: January 18 through 25, 2023
The Sacramento County DRC:
Chabolla Community Center
600 Chabolla Avenue
Galt, CA 95632
Hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Dates: January 18 through February 1, 2023
A Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Santa Cruz County
Ramsay Park Family Center
1301 Main St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Dates: January 21 through February 18, 2023
Resources:
Cal OES Resources
Support for Californians impacted by the winter storms:
The fastest way to apply is throughDisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through theFEMA mobile appor by calling 1-800-621-3362. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
Help for Individuals and Families After a Disaster
I Applied for Assistance. What’s Next?
You will receive notification letters from FEMA either by U.S. mail or by electronic correspondence explaining your next steps. If you reported during the application process that you received damage and are not able to live in your primary residence, an inspector will contact you by phone to schedule an inspection. FEMA home inspections are conducted in-person; however, if you are apprehensive due to ongoing COVID-19 uncertainties, you can request we conduct the inspection without entering your home.Learn more about the steps after applying.
“Help After a Disaster” Brochures
Translated into 27 languages, the “Help After a Disaster” brochure is a tool that can be shared in your community to help people understand the types of FEMA assistance that may be available to support individuals and families in disaster recovery.Download brochures.
GOT A PROBLEM RELATED TO DISABILITY? CALL VANCE!
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L. Vance Taylor
Chief, Office of Access and Functional Needs
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton and hosted by Mark Romoser and with editing assistance from Mark Romoser, Sheela Gunn-Cushman and Adrienne Lauby.
This week we spend time in a community of low-income seniors, many who live with a disability. We ask how they are handling the days of this major storm. Are they huddled in fear? Making serious plans for a sudden evacuation?
We find human beings facing physical limitations with a small measure of resource and support.
And, we find stories laced with good humor and insight. Reports on the downside of community society, tales of companionship and a surprising offer from a neighborhood business.
Hang out with Bliss Cameron and other seniors as the storms continue to rage.
Produced and Hosted by Shelley Berman.
Production help by Adrienne Lauby.
And, in Santa Barbara, veteran disability rights advocate Bonnie Elliot talks about her concerns about the future of the U.S and, more specifically, the acceptance of people with disabilities.
Bonnie Elliott, Access Advisory Committee of the City of Santa Barbara
Finally, we pay tribute to disability advocate and Bay Area’s own Hale Zukas who passed away this November. This segment has information from an obituary that appeared in Berkeleyside, written by Joan Leon and Pam Mendelsohn. Additional material comes from Susan Chernilo who worked as Hale’s attendant in the 1970s; Deborah Kaplan, Deputy Director of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability; Pam Mendelsohn, former World Institute on Disability employee; and Charles Siegel, transportation committees co-worker. It is voiced by Mark Romoser.
For Susan Chernilo’s essay in remembrance of Hale Zukis, click HERE
Photo courtesy of the Center for Independent Living, Berkeley, CA
This episode of Pushing Limits produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton and hosted by Adrienne Lauby, and with editing assistance from Mark Romoser, Sheela Gunn-Cushman and Adrienne Lauby.
This episode of Pushing Limits produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton and hosted by Adrienne Lauby, and with editing assistance from Mark Romoser, Sheela Gunn-Cushman and Adrienne Lauby.
We explore alliances between senior and disability communities. From the outside, it seems both groups would be perfect partners in advocating for social change.
Both groups are affected by challenges such as accessing accessible housing, healthcare, and transportation. Yet two systems of oppression, Ageism and Ableism, often impedes those alliances from being created.
We talk to people who have navigated these systems to build strong partners between these two communities.
Ashton Applewhite is an anti-ageism advocate, a person with a disability, and author of the book, This Chair Rocks and many other writings. She was named one of 50 most important voices in aging in the world by the U.N and World Health Organization.
Julie Reiskin
Julie Reiskin is the Co-Executive Director of Colorado’s Cross-Disability Coalition. Her coalition has worked with senior groups throughout the state to advocate for laws to improve access to healthcare and housing.
Kathleen Riel with her cat.
Finally, we interview Kathleen Riel who has been a disability advocate in Santa Barbara for over 40 years. She will discuss her experience trying to build alliances with senior groups.
This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton with voicing and editing assistance from Mark Romoser and Sheela Gunn Cushman.
Are there things about the connection between reproductive rights and the disability community that the reproductive rights movement has not yet latched on to?
We interview Emily DiMatteo, the lead author of a paper called “Reproductive Justice for Disabled Women: Ending Systemic Discrimination.” The paper details considerations that should be factored into the debate over reproductive rights or reproductive justice.
Emily DiMatteo is a policy analyst for the Disability Justice Initiative at American Progress. Prior to this role, she worked on various disability policy topics as a disability rights intern at Human Rights Watch and fellow at The Arc of the United States. DiMatteo was also a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in the Czech Republic from 2019 to 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Villanova University and a master’s degree in international relations from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.
This is the second part of our analysis of reproductive rights in terms of disability justice. For part one, click here.
Is that old neighborhood guy a wheelchair-using amputee?
Robert Bouvard, aka Robbie Ross
Or a man in an impeccably tailored formal gown with Oscar-caliber make-up and hair?
Robert Bouvard is both.
Robert Bouvard
Robert Bouvard worked with the pioneering Jewel Box Revue, a female impersonation show that toured the Chitlin Circuit in the 1940s. The Jewel Box played New York’s Apollo Theater while Black Muslims on the sidewalk outside yelled, “Get the faggots out of Harlem.”
Later Bouvard worked in Hollywood and toured with many Broadway musicals, including “Hello Dolly” and “Phantom of the Opera.” Now, 85 years old, he lives in a three-room apartment with his good friend Suzie, tools his go-cart around town and enjoys his theatrical sensibility.
Jewel Box Revue. Robert Bouvard and Lynne Carter in a routine that may have inspired the movie “Some Like It Hot” staring Marilyn Monroe. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. SHARE
Lilian Aluri, American Association of People with Disabilities, Civic Engagement Coordinator
The election is right around the corner.
What role will people with disabilities play in the national contest, both as voters and as candidates?
Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman has faced a barrage of attacks on his competency after having a stroke in May. Many other potential disabled candidates are simply passed over by their respective parties. And disabled voters face vote suppression similar to that of people of color.
Join us as host Mark Romoser discusses all this and more with Lilian Aluri, civic engagement coordinator and Maria Town, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.
Maria Town, American Association of People with Disabilities, President, CEO
Before Maria Town came to the American Association of People with Disabilities, she was the key disability person in the Houston mayor’s office. And she learned a thing or two about voter suppression as a student at Emory University outside Atlanta, Georgia.
This program inaugurates an expanded program schedule for Pushing Limits, KPFA’s weekly program by and about people with disabilities.
Now you can tune in This Friday, and Every Friday, at 2:30 PST, or Any Time, Right Here on the world wide web.
Nick Feldman arrested in a 2009 protest with a sign
“Feel the Power of the Disability Vote.”.
Photo by Steve Rhodes, courtesy of Disability Rights California and UDWA
Weather’s getting colder. November’s drawing near, and you know by your full mailbox the SPOOOOOOOKY season is here.
Today, the Pushing Limits crew sketches some state and local issues with a LEETLE Federal spice, and tell you which measures are naughty and which nice.
Keep reading for goodies to make you more wise, and inoculate you against tricks and any evil surprise.
Konstantine Anthony
Konstantine Anthony, Chair of the California Democratic Party’s Disabilities Caucus, is soon to be Mayor of Berbank and the first openly autistic mayor in the US.
He’ll walk us through state propositions of interest to people with disabilities.
Eddie Ytuarte will talk about local housing measures in Alameda County.
Sheela Gunn-Cushman hosts, and will tell you why you are seeing one Federal Senate seat TWICE on your ballot, and why you may not be in the district you thought you were in. (Yes, the lines HAVE moved!)
Mark Romoser and Josh Elwood contributed production help to this program.
Resources
Affordable Housing on East Bay Ballots
Recommendations from East Bay Housing Organizations Voter Guide has got you covered.
Over on their YouTube channel, you can watch their Endorsed Ballot Measures Forum as well as candidate forums with candidates for Alameda County District 3 Supervisor and Oakland Mayor.
Check out their Elections Hub for voter information and information about how to get involved.
Say yes to affordable housing:
YES Berkeley Measure L
YES Berkeley Measure M
YES Berkeley Measure N
YES Oakland Measure Q
YES Oakland Measure U
YES Oakland Measure V
Oakland Ballot Measures
Measure Q – Article 34 Authorization. Preapproves the construction or acquisition of 13,000 affordable homes.
Measure U – Infrastructure Bond. An $850M infrastructure bond which includes $350M for affordable housing.
Measure V – Just Cause Expansion. Further extends eviction protections to residents of RVs, school aged children and teachers, and more.
Berkeley Ballot Measures
Measure L – Infrastructure Bond. A $650 million dollar bond, which includes $200 million for affordable housing.
Measure M – Vacancy Tax. Taxes property owners who keep non-exempt homes vacant for more than six months in a year.
Measure N – Article 34 Authorization. Preapproves the construction or acquisition of 3,000 low-rent homes.
How to Help
Commit just thirty minutes this month or ten hours a week.
1) Table for Oakland’s Measure U. Hosted by Safe Street Advocates at the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and the Temescal Farmers Market on Sundays. Shifts are 9 AM–2 PM. Sign Up to Table
2) Lawn Sign for Oakland Measure U. Don’t have any time, but still want to help out? Email angelina@ebho.org to have a free lawn sign for Measure U delivered to your doorstep.
3) Canvass for Oakland Measures Q & V. Hosted by Care 4 Community Action. Shifts are held at 10 AM on Saturdays and Sundays and 5:30 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sign Up to Canvass
4) Phone Bank for Berkeley Measure L. Co-hosted by EBHO on Thursdays from 6-8 PM at Campaign HQ, 2026 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley. Email Angelina at angelina@ebho.org to sign up!
5) Volunteer for Measure M. The Measure M campaign is offering several ways to get involved including canvassing, voter outreach, and delivering yard signs. Sign Up to Volunteer
Call & Text for Measure M Every Wednesday Night for calls and texting at 2025 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. More Information.
What do your candidates say about affordable housing? Click here to read what candidates for Alameda County District 3 Supervisor, Oakland Mayor, Oakland City Council, Berkeley City Council, San Leandro Mayor, and San Leandro City Council give as their positions on housing and homelessness.
This guide overlaps with some of the advice above, as you would imagine, but it covers other issues and races as well. It even has a recommendation for Healdsburg voters way up in the North Bay.
How Pete’s Voting
Community Activist Pete Woiwode: “How Pete’s Voting” Pete has opinions on a ton of local ballot measures and city council races and much, much more. You may not agree with him on everything but his frank, concise voting guide is well worth some attention.
SHARE
Mental Disability Surveillance
Listen (29 min)
Friday, February 17, 2:30 pm PST
This week, a national CDC study found that nearly 3 in 5 (57%) of teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021 — double that of boys. This is a nearly 60% increase and the highest level in the past decade.
For the young people, their families, and friends, it was just a reminder of something they already knew. We have a national mental health crisis in the U.S. and there is a stunning lack of resources to help.
In addition, in the North Bay of California, deaths involving fentanyl went up a whopping 2,550% in the five years since 2017. This is on top of the opioid crisis across the U.S.
The CDC recommended more support for girls and other teens in their schools and Sonoma County put up billboards warning about the death-dealing power of fentanyl.
But other people have a technological solution, one that will make them rich from our mental health and addiction crisis. Their monitoring solutions could affect millions of people with mental and emotional disabilities and addiction problems.
As our guest Sarah Roth explains, it could put many of us into virtual asylums.
Sarah Roth is Development and Communications Fellow at the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project.
She has a BA in Political Science and Psychology from Vassar and has been a congressional intern. Her organizing work with anti-militarism groups resisting incursions on human, democratic, and civil rights around the globe has led her to work on local policing, criminal procedure, and Dept of Homeland Security policies.
She’s here today to talk about the scale and speed at which mass surveillance is discriminating and violating civil liberties. Her recent article on this topic is titled, The Virtual Asylum Replacing Mental Health Care.
Go further. Read the Daily Beast article Sarah Roth co-wrote with Evan Enzer on disability surveillance in schools.
Produced and hosted by Adrienne Lauby