Podcasts about disability rights advocates

This week, Claire speaks with two attorneys from Disability Rights Advocates about current disability rights litigation to better understand caselaw that impacts the blind and disability community.

Baltimore City settled a lawsuit two weeks ago with a price tag of $44 million, earmarked for pedestrian improvements--repairs aimed at directly affecting how people with disabilities get around the city. We hear details from Madeleine Reichman, a senior staff attorney at Disability Rights Advocates, and from Janice Jackson, one of three plaintiffs of the lawsuit.  Links: Women Embracing Abilities Now (W.E.A.N.), IMAGE Center of Maryland, Background to Baltimore City ADA compliance settlement.  Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

Joyce welcomes disability advocates Janni Lehrer-Stein and Ondréa Burton to the show. The topic discussed will be “The disability community realizing the power of the vote.”

In this week's episode I sat down with Rebecca Williford. Rebecca is a seasoned, nationally recognized disability community leader and an ardent disability rights litigator, currently serving as the President & CEO of Disability Rights Advocates (or DRA), the leading national nonprofit disability rights legal center whose mission is to advance the rights, inclusion, and equity of people with disabilities through high-impact litigation, education, and advocacy. We discuss the role legal action plays in the disability rights movement, how DRA is changing the fabric of society and what it means to be a disabled person, and much, much more. Follow Rebecca: Instagram: @rebecca.williford.dra LinkedIn: Rebecca Williford Follow Disability Rights Advocates: Instagram: @dralegal LinkedIn: Disability Rights Advocates Website: https://dralegal.org Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

**This podcast was recorded April 6, 2021**DRNY's CAP & PABSS program Director and Chair of the Committee on Advancing Racial Equality (C.A.R.E.), Erica Molina, Esq., is joined by Marc Fliedner, Esq., DRNY's PATBI & PAIMI program Director, to discuss what we can do as allies for the Asian and Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.Support the Show.To view the video of this episode with closed captioning, ASL interpretation, and/or Spanish subtitles, visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0L4INYxuDLx8b8oFTpaXbe42NLmZBKDY.(The views, information, or opinions expressed during the "Empire State of Rights" podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Disability Rights New York.)

**This encore episode was recorded on March 21, 2022 **Zoe Gross, the Director of Advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), discusses the organization's mission, its resources, and the importance of preferred language for the autism community.**Show Notes**autisticadvocacy.org"Crisis in our Communities: Racial Disparities in Community Living": https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/disparities/"For Whose Benefit?: Evidence, Ethics, and Effectiveness of Autism Interventions": https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/intervention-ethics/"Identity-First Language" by Lydia X.Z. Brown: https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/Follow ASAN:https://www.facebook.com/AutisticAdvocacy/https://twitter.com/autselfadvocacyhttps://autisticadvocacy.tumblr.com/https://www.instagram.com/autisticselfadvocacy/Support the showTo view the video of this episode with closed captioning, ASL interpretation, and/or Spanish subtitles, visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0L4INYxuDLx8b8oFTpaXbe42NLmZBKDY.(The views, information, or opinions expressed during the "Empire State of Rights" podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Disability Rights New York.)

A week from today ADAPT, a Disability Rights Advocates group is holding a national day of action. Blaise talks about this and why it's time to take back our disability rights. What do you think? Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow the show on Facebook/X (Twitter) @blaisinshows. Support Blaisin' Access Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blaisin-access-podcastRead transcript

Have you ever ended up on one side or the other of a lawsuit related to disability?   If so, KPFA listeners want to hear from you! Call Friday during the live show: 510-848-4425 or 800-958-9008. The business community likes to complain about disabled people who make a living suing them for the lack of accessibility.   Have you ever been one of these people?   Ever sued your landlord or a government agency for not allowing you to live in an apartment or participate in civil life?   If so, what was that like? We also want your thoughts on suits that take on government agencies or corporations on behalf of the larger disability community.  Often these suits are filed by disability non-profits with social change in mind.  Has a suit like this helped you out?  Have you seen changes come about as a result of them? We've been looking at Smith v. Oakland, filed by Disability Rights Advocates against the City of Oakland in 2019.  That suit seeks to allow disabled persons to live in rent-controlled units, even though a state law called Costa Hawkins prohibits rent control for anything built after 1983.  The suit claims that the Federal ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) supersedes the California law. The post Lawsuits – Pushing Limits – November 17, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.

People with disabilities in the St. Louis area say recent disruptions to Call-A-Ride service reflect ongoing issues with the transportation service. Etefia Umana, a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Alliance for Reliable Transit, talks about the challenges he faces using Call-A-Ride. Jeanette Mott Oxford of Paraquad, a local nonprofit dedicated to disability advocacy, discusses the changes advocates want to see put in place.

**This encore episode was recorded on March 22, 2022 **Rose Ewald, a self-advocate and PhD student in the Public Health Education department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, discusses health equity for people with disabilities and ableism as a social determinant of health (SDOH).Support the showTo view the video of this episode with closed captioning, ASL interpretation, and/or Spanish subtitles, visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0L4INYxuDLx8b8oFTpaXbe42NLmZBKDY.(The views, information, or opinions expressed during the "Empire State of Rights" podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Disability Rights New York.)

Joyce welcomes to the show, Rebecca Willford, the new CEO of Disability Rights Advocates. Rebecca is a seasoned, nationally recognized disability community leader and attorney with extensive experience litigating class action lawsuits on behalf of people with disabilities. She has achieved multiple precedents on matters of first impression, advancing the rights of people with disabilities throughout the country. During the show, she will discuss her advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes to the show, Rebecca Willford, the new CEO of Disability Rights Advocates. Rebecca is a seasoned, nationally recognized disability community leader and attorney with extensive experience litigating class action lawsuits on behalf of people with disabilities. She has achieved multiple precedents on matters of first impression, advancing the rights of people with disabilities throughout the country. During the show, she will discuss her advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.

**This encore episode was recorded on March 21, 2022 **Zoe Gross, the Director of Advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), discusses the mission of the organization, its resources, and the importance of preferred language.**Show Notes**autisticadvocacy.org"Crisis in our Communities: Racial Disparities in Community Living": https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/disparities/"For Whose Benefit?: Evidence, Ethics, and Effectiveness of Autism Interventions": https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/intervention-ethics/"Identity-First Language" by Lydia X.Z. Brown: https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/https://www.facebook.com/AutisticAdvocacy/https://twitter.com/autselfadvocacyhttps://autisticadvocacy.tumblr.com/https://www.instagram.com/autisticselfadvocacy/Support the showTo view the video of this episode with closed captioning, ASL interpretation, and/or Spanish subtitles, visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0L4INYxuDLx8b8oFTpaXbe42NLmZBKDY.(The views, information, or opinions expressed during the "Empire State of Rights" podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Disability Rights New York.)

**This encore episode was recorded on March 1, 2022 **Director, Gearóid Dolan, and Associate Producer, Jessica Murray,  discuss their film, "The Biggest Obstacle," and the importance of public transportation accessibility.**Show Notes**"The Biggest Obstacle":https://thebiggestobstacle.com/https://www.facebook.com/theBiggestObstaclehttps://www.instagram.com/thebiggestobstacle/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15084766/Click here to see the full film on Tubi TV: https://tubitv.com/movies/637590/the-biggest-obstacle (North America, Australia & New Zealand, closed captions available)Click here to see the full film on Plex: https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/provider/tv.plex.provider.vod/details?key=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F6180230734b5763acde71ae4 (Worldwide except China, closed captions available)Gearóid's websites:http://www.screamachine.com/Interactive documentary sites: http://evill.nyc/fracturedselves/http://www.evill.nyc/protest/https://www.facebook.com/GearoidDolanArtist/https://www.instagram.com/screamachine_art/https://www.youtube.com/user/screaMachineARThttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm12775852/"Protest: Queer Liberation March": https://youtu.be/A4bMgtZ0z3AJessica Murray's next project is to establish an archive to document disability rights movements in New York City. To learn more about the project, visit: https://library.csi.cuny.edu/archives/projects and if you have materials to contribute, please fill out this short form so we can get in touch: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCCcDDUBAxqpJMXpc3EpQZvLzCw-dBHtMA3NhStm3yyiSH1w/viewformSupport the showTo view the video of this episode with closed captioning, ASL interpretation, and/or Spanish subtitles, visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0L4INYxuDLx8b8oFTpaXbe42NLmZBKDY.(The views, information, or opinions expressed during the "Empire State of Rights" podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Disability Rights New York.)

July marked Disability Pride Month when the ADA is commemorated and attention is brought to issues impacting people with disabilities.

Episode Notes On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha speak with Madeleine Reichman, an attorney at Disability Rights Advocates, on a recent federal court case and ruling regarding Chicago's failure to install accessible pedestrian signals (APSs) for its blind and low vision residents and visitors at its more than 2800 signalized intersections. The case involved both DRA and the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago, a chapter of the Illinois Council of the Blind. We discuss how the case came about, what the decision ruling Chicago is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act means for the city and other cities across the country, and what comes next for DRA and the city of Chicago.  If you need legal assistance from Disability Rights Advocates, you may email info@dralegal.org or call (510) 665-8644. Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

A recent decision from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has allowed a lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force to move forward as a class action suit. It involves a group of current, former and prospective civilian employees who are also deaf. They claim that the department did not provide some basic accommodations that it is required to by law, which made it even more difficult for them to communicate these concerns to management. To learn more about the case, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Sean Betouliere, who is a senior staff attorney at Disability Rights Advocates, and Wendy Musell from the Oakland, California Law Offices of Wendy Musell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent decision from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has allowed a lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force to move forward as a class action suit. It involves a group of current, former and prospective civilian employees who are also deaf. They claim that the department did not provide some basic accommodations that it is required to by law, which made it even more difficult for them to communicate these concerns to management. To learn more about the case, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Sean Betouliere, who is a senior staff attorney at Disability Rights Advocates, and Wendy Musell from the Oakland, California Law Offices of Wendy Musell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:Maryland Just Made It Easier for Its Residents to Access Gender-Affirming CareWetzel's Pretzels Is Giving Female Entrepreneurs a Boost With New Franchisee Equity ProgramDisability Rights Advocates Speak Out Against Candace Owens Harmful Comments on Disability RepresentationChip Makers Will Have to Provide Child Care to Tap Joe Biden's Huge $39 Billion Semiconductor Industry FundGoogle's Muslim Employee Resource Group Helped Make Ramadan Better for EveryoneCall to action:Friday is Transgender Day of Visibility. Visit GenderCool.org to meet some amazing transgender youth. These youth are brave and inspiring, and they keep showing up even when their community is under attack.Read the full blog here.Learn more about Lisa here. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes in DEI every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

**ENCORE: This podcast was recorded using Zoom | November 17, 2021 **Brian Milburn, a self-advocate and educator for the d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, discusses assistive technology and language access, accessibility guidelines for online events and eLearning, and the importance of including ASL interpretations and captioning for the d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community.Support the showTo view the video of this episode with closed captioning, ASL interpretation, and/or Spanish subtitles, visit our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/DisabilityRightsNewYork.(The views, information, or opinions expressed during the "Empire State of Rights" podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Disability Rights New York.)

**This podcast was recorded December 6, 2022 **Executive Director, Tim Clune, Esq., discusses DRNY's goals for the upcoming year.Support the showTo view the video of this episode with closed captioning, ASL interpretation, and/or Spanish subtitles, visit our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/DisabilityRightsNewYork.(The views, information, or opinions expressed during the "Empire State of Rights" podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Disability Rights New York.)

**ENCORE: This podcast was recorded using Zoom | August 4, 2021 **For a featured episode of The Director's Chair,  DRNY's Executive Director, Tim Clune, Esq., is joined by María Alvarez, the Executive Director of New York StateWide Senior Action Council. María and Tim discuss the work of New York Statewide Senior Action Council and the advocacy both organizations provide.**Resources**New York StateWide Senior Action Council: https://www.nysenior.org/ Patients' Rights Helpline: https://www.nysenior.org/our-helplines/patients-rights-helpline/ Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program: https://www.cssny.org/programs/entry/managed-care-consumer-assistance-program-mccapSenior Medicare Patrol Program: https://www.nysenior.org/senior-medicare-patrol/Support the show

**ENCORE: This podcast was recorded using Zoom | December 7, 2020**DRNY senior staff advocate, Brenda Shannon, and  previous staff advocate, Sarah Hulbert, discuss ACCES-VR's due process, how to apply, and what to expect during each stage of the process. ** Resources**  ACCES-VR website: www.acces.nysed.gov/vrVR-711 form: http://www.acces.nysed.gov/common/acces/files/vr/review-form.pdfDRNY contact info: 518-432-7861 and www.drny.orgDRNY Fact Sheets: https://www.drny.org/page/fact-sheets-36.htmlSupport the show

Fulvia Vargas-De Leon, Consejera Principal de LatinoJustice, analiza los derechos de los votantes y cómo LatinoJustice está ayudando a la comunidad latina a través de sus servicios.*ENGLISH TRANSLATION*Fulvia Vargas-De Leon, Senior Counsel at LatinoJustice, discusses voter rights and how LatinoJustice is helping the Latino community through their services.*SHOW NOTES*https://www.latinojustice.org/enhttps://www.latinojustice.org/en/voting-rightshttps://www.elections.ny.gov/Support the show

**ENCORE: This podcast was recorded February 10, 2021** DRNY's PAAT, PAIR, and PAVA Director, Christy Asbee, Esq.,  joined by DRNY staff attorney, Brandy Tomlinson, discuss the Department of Transportation (DOT)'s regulations for service animals on planes.**Show Notes**Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals podcast: https://youtu.be/o0GjLJjyDvMService Animal Etiquette podcast: https://youtu.be/dWEGcuf9DqEService Animal Myths podcast: https://youtu.be/tRXzx4fsxsYDRNY Fact Sheet "Traveling by Air with a Service Animal": https://www.dropbox.com/s/tcspb8oh8nx0hlw/2020.12.21%20Traveling%20with%20Srvice%20Animal%20CA%20edits.pdf?dl=0DOT Customer Service Center: 202-366-4000DOT - Service Animal page: https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animalsSupport the show

Hugo Acosta, creador del primer periódico de orientación hispana "CNY Latino", analiza la importancia y los orígenes del Mes de la Herencia Hispana.**Recursos**www.cnylatino.comcnylatinonewspaper.com-English Translation-Hugo Acosta, creator of the first Hispanic-oriented newspaper "CNY Latino", discusses the importance and origins of Hispanic Heritage Month.**Resources**www.cnylatino.comcnylatinonewspaper.comSupport the show

There's a long disability rights conversation and more talk of how Ian rules! Also, Rebecca's audio inexplicably cuts out like 5 seconds before the end - we are sorry! Disability rights groups:Disability Rights Advocates - https://dralegal.org/National Disability Rights Network - https://www.ndrn.org/

Melissa Martinez, una analista del programa de representante beneficiarios de DRNY, habla sobre el programa  y en qué están trabajando ahora.**ENGLISH TRANSLATION**Melissa Martinez, a DRNY Rep Payee (PARP) Program analyst, talks about the program and what they are working on now.Support the show

**ENCORE: This podcast was recorded using Zoom | November 15, 2021 **The Empire State Association of the Deaf's (ESAD) Finger Lakes Regional Representative, Steve Lovi,  discusses the mission of ESAD, the services it provides, and its current projects and events. **Resources**https://esad.orgSupport the show

ENCORE:  **This podcast was recorded on November 17, 2021.**La abogado del personal de DRNY, Jess Cochrane, analiza la importancia de la competencia cultural y su papel en la misión de Disability Rights New York.*English translation*DRNY staff attorney, Jess Cochrane, discusses the importance of cultural competence and its role in Disability Rights New York's mission.Support the show

ENCORE:  **This podcast was recorded on June 28, 2021** 88 year-old Korean War veteran, Richard, shares his DRNY story to resolve an issue with his unemployment benefits through the help of DRNY Intake Specialist, Virginia Anderson. **Resources**https://www.drny.orgPhone: (518) 432-7861Email: mail@DRNY.orgOnline Intake Form: https://www.drny.org/intake.phpSupport the show

**ENCORE: June 9, 2021**Brenda Hernandez, activista por la justicia reproductiva, Promotora de Salud y Coordinadora de Educación y Difusión en el Centro de Atención de la Universidad de Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), habla sobre el Mes del Orgullo, la relación entre la comunidad LGBTQ + y la comunidad hispana, y como ser un aliado.**English Translation**Brenda Hernandez, a reproductive justice activist, a Promotora de Salud, and an Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Care Center of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), discusses Pride Month, the relationship between the  LGBTQ+ community and the Hispanic community, and how to be an ally. **Resources**MOCHA Center-Rochester, NY: https://www.trilliumhealth.org/services/the-mocha-centerBlack and Latino LGBTQ Coalition- New York, NY: https://gaycenter.org/sponsor/black-and-latino-lgbtq-coalition/TransLatin@Coalition: https://www.translatinacoalition.org/Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/Support the show

**ENCORE: This podcast was recorded using Zoom** | June 4, 2021DRNY staff attorney, Alison Lynch, discusses mental health and sports culture in a conversation spurred by the recent news of Naomi Osaka, who pulled out of the French Open to care for her own mental health.**Resources**https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/31543237/naomi-osaka-withdraws-french-open-one-day-fine-threat-harsher-sanctions-skipping-media-obligationsSupport the show

**ENCORE: April 14, 2021**Regina Finelli McLean, patóloga del habla y el lenguaje en Amigo Baby, habla sobre el Programa de Intervención Temprana.**English Translation**Regina Finelli McLean, a speech language pathologist at Amigo Baby, discusses the Early Intervention Program.**Resources**https://amigobaby.comDRNY Fact Sheets: https://www.drny.org/page/fact-sheets-36.htmlSupport the show

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | March 28, 2022 **For a featured episode of "The Director's Chair,"  DRNY's Executive Director, Tim Clune, Esq., is joined by Juan Pablo Salazar, a global disability rights activist and the Inclusion Coordinator for the Latin American Development Bank. Juan Pablo and Tim discuss the current state of disability rights advocacy and where efforts still need to be made today. Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | March 22, 2022 **Rose Ewald, a self-advocate and PhD student in the Public Health Education department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, discusses health equity for people with disabilities and ableism as a social determinant of health (SDOH). Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

**ENCORE: April 14, 2021**Mary Brzustowicz, una Navegadora Familiar en el Centro de Autismo de Levine en el Centro Médico de la Universidad de Rochester, habla sobre el Mes de Concienciación sobre el Autismo.La versión subtitulada y en ASL de este podcast está disponible en el canal de YouTube de DRNY: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcJEFJXGgiZwE4zbw2BKg.**English Translation**Mary Brzustowicz,  a Family Navigator at Levine Autism Center in the University of Rochester Medical Center, discusses Autism Awareness Month. The subtitled and ASL version of this podcast is available on DRNY's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcJEFJXGgiZwE4zbw2BKg.**Resources**https://www.autismspeaks.org/que-es-el-autismo-espanolhttps://www.understood.org/es-mxhttps://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spanish/autism/treatment.htmlhttps://www.autismspeaks.org/que-es-el-autismo-espanolautismspeaks.orgSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Rebecca Alexander  inspires, empowers and entertains us with hilarious anecdotes; candid insights and expert advice that will help you overcome any obstacle and encourage you to live life to its fullest in this lively conversation with Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim. Rebecca is the perfect guest with whom we celebrate “National Month of Hope” because she brings that and much more in this podcast! This episode is also completely closed captioned on Crazy Amazing Humans' Youtube channel. Born with a rare genetic disorder called Usher Syndrome rendering her almost completely deaf and blind, Rebecca has written the best-selling book Not Fade Away: A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found which is currently in development to be made into a major motion picture and received an Indie Book Award. She was also honored as one of the MS Society's Books For A Better Life. She recently narrated the PBS American Master's biopic documentary “Becoming Helen Keller” and her TEDx talk entitled “H.E.L.P. - Humanity's Essence, Living Proof,” has been critically acclaimed. Rebecca has been featured on many TV shows such as The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and ESPN, as well as numerous publications including People, Cosmopolitan and Shape. Rebecca has been honored with prestigious awards for her advocacy work, presented for TEDx, and has been the keynote speaker for many esteemed companies and organizations. She has been honored with prestigious awards for her advocacy such as The American Foundation for the Blind Helen Keller Achievement Award, Disability Rights Advocate Eagle Award, Future Vision Foundation Luminary Award, The Foundation Fighting Blindness Hope and Spirit Award, Strike Out USH, No Limits for Deaf Children Spirit of Leadership Award, University of Michigan Bicentennial Alumni Award, JWI Woman To Watch, Center for Hearing and Communication - Irving Berelson President's Award. Among her many extraordinary feats, Rebecca participated in the 600-mile AIDS Lifecycle ride, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, swam from Alcatraz to shore in the San Francisco Bay, and competed in the Civilian Military Combine (CMC) races. Rebecca has a thriving psychotherapy practice with two masters' degrees from Columbia University in Clinical Social Work and Public Health. She works with individuals, couples, and groups, specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, grief/loss, eating disorders, and disability. Rebecca received post-graduate training at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy at the Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia and received her psychodynamic psychotherapy training from the American Institute for Psychoanalysis. Rebecca is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and also communicates in American Sign Language and Tactile Sign Language. Rebecca currently serves on the boards of Usher Syndrome Society, Usher Syndrome Coalition, No Limits for Deaf Children, Disability Rights Advocates, Kresge Hearing Research Institute at the University of Michigan Department of Otolaryngology. As we celebrate the National Month Of Hope, always remember that we can be the source of hope for others. Every small kindness has the potential to create a Crazy Amazing Human experience, one person at a time. You have the power to create that every day because you are Crazy Amazing! And we, at Crazy Amazing Humans, are in your corner, we're rooting for you, and really appreciate you as part of our community.

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | March 21, 2022 **Zoe Gross, the Director of Advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), discusses the mission of the organization, its resources, and the importance of preferred language.**Resources**autisticadvocacy.org"Crisis in our Communities: Racial Disparities in Community Living": https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/disparities/"For Whose Benefit?: Evidence, Ethics, and Effectiveness of Autism Interventions": https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/intervention-ethics/"Identity-First Language" by Lydia X.Z. Brown: https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/https://www.facebook.com/AutisticAdvocacy/https://twitter.com/autselfadvocacyhttps://autisticadvocacy.tumblr.com/https://www.instagram.com/autisticselfadvocacy/Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | March 7, 2022 ** John Scott-Richardson, the Theater Program Director at AMERINDA- American Indian Artists, Inc., discusses the mission of the organization, the services it provides, and the importance of cultural equity and representation.  **Resources**http://amerinda.org/main/https://www.facebook.com/AmerindaIncSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | March 1, 2022 **Director, Gearóid Dolan, and Associate Producer, Jessica Murray, discuss their film "The Biggest Obstacle" and the importance of public transportation accessibility. **Resources**The Biggest Obstacle:https://thebiggestobstacle.com/https://www.facebook.com/theBiggestObstaclehttps://www.instagram.com/thebiggestobstacle/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15084766/Click here to see the full film on Tubi TV: https://tubitv.com/movies/637590/the-biggest-obstacle (North America, Australia & New Zealand, closed captions available)Click here to see the full film on Plex: https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/provider/tv.plex.provider.vod/details?key=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F6180230734b5763acde71ae4  (Worldwide except China, closed captions available)Gearóid's websites:http://www.screamachine.com/Interactive documentary sites:http://evill.nyc/fracturedselves/http://www.evill.nyc/protest/https://www.facebook.com/GearoidDolanArtist/https://www.instagram.com/screamachine_art/https://www.youtube.com/user/screaMachineARThttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm12775852/Protest: Queer Liberation March: https://youtu.be/A4bMgtZ0z3AJessica Murray's next project is to establish an archive to document disability rights movements in New York City. To learn more about the project, visit: https://library.csi.cuny.edu/archives/projects and if you have materials to contribute, please fill out this short form so we can get in touch: bit.ly/NYC-DRASupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

ENCORE: **This podcast was recorded using Zoom | September 14, 2021** David Wantuck, the Community Engagement Specialist at Deaf Access Services, an Affiliate of People Inc. (DAS), discusses DAS's mission, the services it provides, and its current projects and events.**Resources**www.wnydas.orgEmail: communications@wnydas.org**Notes**In February 2019, Deaf Access Services formed an affiliation with People Incorporated in order to meet the growing needs of the WNY Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.**DAS Services**CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM- The DAS Career Pathways Program team assists qualified Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals with all aspects of their job search.INTERPRETING, CART, AND CAPTIONING SERVICES – –Deaf Access Services is the leading not for profit agency in Western New York that provides Qualified Sign Language Interpreters, CART and VRI Services.–Interpreters are evaluated by highly qualified staff and are expected to adhere to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct. –We also support the use of captioning and interpreting in all video content, ensuring access to the information for all viewers. We offer customizable captioning based on a business or organizations needs and offer captioning combined with ASL interpretation or voice-over interpretation.COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES- Services are available for Deaf, Deaf/Blind, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened individuals who are experiencing various obstacles to mainstream services.We provide assistance with:                                                            • General Information/Referrals• Health Care Access• Housing Issues• Legal and Financial Referrals• SSI/SSDI Letters• Social Services (DSS) Matters• Assistive Devices for Home                                                                                                                             Deaf Access Services also assists business and organizations navigating their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).ASL CLASSES & OUTREACH- DAS provides education about Deaf and Hard of Hearing to the Western New York community through:• Sign Language classes• Outreach presentations• Deaf Community workshopsThrough these educational opportunities, DAS enhances Self-Awareness in the Deaf Community and increases knowledge of Deaf Culture.  DAS offers ongoing day and evening classes to teach American Sign Language (ASL), providing opportunity for ALL individuals.NEW AMERICANS PROGRAM DAS provides education and case management services for Deaf refugees and immigrants from around the world to assist them in their acculturation process in Western New York.Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Brenda Colmenares, Directora de Comunicaciones de la  EveryLife Foundation para Enfermedades Raras, analiza la importancia de la concientización sobre las enfermedades desconocidas.La versión subtitulada y en ASL de este podcast está disponible en el canal de YouTube de DRNY: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcJEFJXGgiZwE4zbw2BKg.*English Translation*Brenda Colmenares, Communications Manager for the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, discusses the importance of rare disease awareness.The subtitled and ASL version of this podcast is available on DRNY's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcJEFJXGgiZwE4zbw2BKg.**Resources**https://everylifefoundation.org/Social Media Handle: @EveryLifeOrgRare Disease Week: https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rare-disease-week/ Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

ENCORE: **This podcast was recorded using Zoom | June 21, 2021**Dr. Donna Walton, the Founder and President of Divas with Disabilities, and Shameka Andrews, a Global D.I.V.A. Ambassador, discuss The Divas with Disabilities Project (DWD), its mission, and its available resources.The 1st Annual DIVAS Film Festival will be streamed via StreamYard on July 23, 2021.**Resources**https://www.divaswithdisabilities.org/Social Media Pages:https://www.facebook.com/TheDivasWithDisabilitiesProjecthttps://www.instagram.com/divaswithdisabilities/https://twitter.com/dwd_project?lang=enSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | November 17, 2021 **Brian Milburn, a self-advocate and educator for the d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, discusses assistive technology and language access, accessibility guidelines for online events and eLearning, and the importance of including ASL interpretations and captioning for the d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community.Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

El Director Ejecutivo de DRNY, Tim Clune, Esq., analiza nuestro podcast en español y los objetivos de divulgación de DRNY para la comunidad de habla hispana para el próximo año.(English translation)DRNY's Executive Director, Tim Clune, Esq., discusses our Spanish podcast and DRNY's outreach goals to the Spanish-speaking community in the upcoming year.Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

ENCORE: **This podcast was recorded using Zoom** | February 24, 2021DRNY's PAAT, PATBI, and PAVA Director, Christy Asbee, discusses the $2.25 million fund available in the Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement with Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.**Resources**Full list of 78 Amtrak Stations included in this settlement and requirements for Monetary Compensation Eligibility: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/225-million-fund-available-justice-department-settlement-amtrakAmtrak customer complaint system: https://www.amtrak.com/non-discrimination-policyPhone: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)TTY: 1-800-523-6590Mail:  Amtrak Law Department, 1 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001Questions? Here are some additional resources: AmtrakDisabilitySettlement.comEmail: info@AmtrakDisabilitySettlement.comTelephone (toll-free): 1-888-334-6165TTY Telephone (toll-free): 1-866-411-6976Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | December 8, 2021 **Executive Director, Tim Clune, Esq. discusses DRNY's goals for the upcoming year.Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

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 of The Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor.  Judy and Kathy talk about Kathy's adventure filled childhood, her introduction to disability activism in the 70s, her career in activism that stemmed from that and the importance of weaving accessibility into everything you do instead of it being an afterthought. Follow Disability Rights Advocates @dralegal on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!  

The newly appointed CEO of Disability Rights Advocates, Kathy Martinez, will be Joyce's guest. Kathy Martinez is a nationally known and admired disability rights leader in our country. She served as the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy during the Obama administration. Her work continues to improve and protect the rights of Americans with disabilities.