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Disability Deep Dive
Disability Deep Dive
Author: Disability Rights Florida
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©2025 Disability Rights Florida
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Disability Deep Dive is a bi-weekly interview podcast hosted by Keith Casebonne and Jodi Beckstine. Each episode explores issues that matter to disabled people, including accessibility, identity, discrimination, rights protections, and voting. The show also features This Week's Deep Cut, a media pairing that helps listeners engage with each episode's theme. Formerly known as You First, the podcast relaunched in 2025 with a new name and co-host format.
Please note that the opinions of our guests are not necessarily those of Disability Rights Florida.
Please note that the opinions of our guests are not necessarily those of Disability Rights Florida.
106 Episodes
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Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cIVv3xsKT24 In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi engage in a compelling conversation with Shane and Hannah, the creators behind Squirmy and Grubs. They discuss the challenges and responsibilities of living authentically online amidst scrutiny and stigma. The duo talks about their journey as disability advocates, the importance of mental health, and the necessity of setting boundaries to protect their well-being. The episode explores how they navigate hateful commentary, decide what to share publicly, and remain true to their mission of changing societal perceptions of disability. Additionally, the discussion touches on the complex balance between visibility and privacy in their Deep Cut segment, which features an analysis of the film "I Didn't See You There." Interabled: True Stories About Love and Disability from Squirmy & Grubs and Other Interabled Couples - https://www.amazon.com/Interabled-Stories-Disability-Squirmy-Couples/dp/1250620716 Laughing at My Nightmare - https://www.laughingatmynightmare.com Squirmy and Grubs website - https://www.squirmyandgrubs.com/ Squirmy and Grubs on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/squirmyandgrubs
Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/w4DVZRNbk-Y In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Jodi and Keith interview Cory Lee, a travel writer and advocate who has traversed all seven continents while using a power wheelchair due to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Cory discusses his inspiration for starting his blog, "Curb Free with Cory Lee," the challenges and lessons he's encountered in his travels, and his insights on global accessibility. The conversation also touches on how travel can foster empathy and the need for meaningful access in tourism. Additionally, the episode delves into the representation of autism in media, focusing on the show "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," and explores the impact of language, realism, and audience perception in disability narratives. Curb Free with Cory Lee: https://curbfreewithcorylee.com Cory's children's book "Let's Explore With Cor Cor": https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Explore-Cor-Cory-Lee/dp/0578670887
Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a1gYqQ1iWpg This episode of Disability Deep Dive features a conversation with Charles Redding, Executive Director of Wheels for Humanity and the leader of CLASP (Consolidating Logistics for Assistive Technology for Supply Provision). They discuss shifting from charity to sustainable systems for delivering assistive technology globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Redding explains CLASP's role in establishing reliable supply chains to ensure access to high-quality, affordable assistive products and highlights their work in crisis settings. The episode also delves into the broader need for policy advocacy, investment in rehabilitation services, and the importance of inclusive disaster response. The discussion is followed by a review of the documentary 'Rising Phoenix,' which explores the history and impact of the Paralympic Games in redefining disability and athletic achievement. Momentum Wheels for Humanity: https://momentum4humanity.org CLASP: https://www.clasphub.org
Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZRm8tiM1JqE In the 100th episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Jodi and Keith celebrate the milestone by interviewing recording artist, songwriter, and advocate Lachi. They discuss her journey from performing on stage to leading the advocacy group RAMPD, her experiences in the music industry, and her efforts to make the industry more accessible. Lachi shares insights from her upcoming book, 'I Identify as Blind,' which aims to integrate disability into pop culture through humor and storytelling. The episode also features a discussion on the film 'Sound of Metal,' exploring themes of identity, disability, and community. Pre-order "I Identify as Blind": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761599/i-identify-as-blind-by-lachi-with-tim-vandehey/
Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/_mk7zmUDYsk In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi delve into the harrowing crisis of preventable deaths among individuals with intellectual disabilities. Joined by UK Professor Sara Ryan, author of "Critical Health and Learning Disabilities: an Exploration of Erasure and Social Murder," they discuss the systemic issues and inaction that allow these tragic deaths to persist. Professor Ryan shares personal anecdotes and case studies, highlighting the concept of 'social murder,' where known harmful conditions remain unaddressed. In the "Deep Cut" segment, they review the BBC drama "When Barbara Met Alan," which portrays the real-life struggles and triumphs of disability rights activists in the UK. The conversation emphasizes the importance of ongoing advocacy, public engagement, and the crucial need for enforcement and attitudinal shifts to achieve true equality. They also explore the differences between the UK's Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), examining the impact of grassroots activism on legislative change. Sara Ryan's book, "Critical Health and Learning Disabilities: An Exploration of Erasure and Social Murder" - https://www.routledge.com/Critical-Health-and-Learning-Disabilities-An-Exploration-of-Erasure-and-Social-Murder/Ryan/p/book/9781032605005
Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/mJ_MhtjSnhM In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi explore the theme "Access Not Applause" with guest Sarah Todd Hammer, an author, speaker, and consultant. Sarah Todd shares her journey with Acute Flaccid Myelitis, discusses the challenges and triumphs of moving from home to independent living, and underscores the importance of genuine access over superficial inspiration. They delve into practical tools and inclusive design in products and spaces while challenging common 'inspiration tropes' in disability narratives. The episode also highlights the documentary "Catwalk: From Glada Hudik to New York," showcasing a runway journey of models with intellectual disabilities emphasizing genuine joy, connection, and inclusion.
View the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_fKrzCuCYUQ?si=9La4y5V1MmIfrJR9 In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi are joined by Peet Montzingo, a creator, musician, and author, to discuss his book 'Little Imperfections: A Tall Tale of Growing Up Different.' Peet shares his experiences as the only average height member of a family of little people, his journey to online fame, and the importance of using humor and personal stories to shift perceptions about disability and difference. The episode also features a Deep Cut segment discussing the 2021 film 'Cyrano' starring Peter Dinklage, exploring themes of beauty, love, and representation. Tune in for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about family, identity, and the power of storytelling.
Hi, it's Jodi and Keith, the hosts of Disability Deep Dive, a podcast from Disability Rights Florida. It's where real conversations about life, culture, and leadership meet the lived disability experience. In Season One, we unpacked tough questions with advocates, creators, and researchers -- you know, people changing how we think about access and belonging. And now we're back with Season Two on November 6th, and the conversations are getting even better. And this time, you can see us: Disability Deep Dive is now a video podcast. You'll still get the same thoughtful conversations, but now with faces, laughs, and all those in-between moments that make the dialogue real. From music to travel, influence to interpretation, our guests are reimagining what's possible and how change really happens. We explore how stories shape systems and how lived experience drives innovation. Because disability isn't a single story, it's part of every story. So get ready for Disability Deep Dive Season Two out on November 6th. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. And subscribe so you don't miss what's next.
In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi are joined by Dr. Lisa Meeks, founder of the Docs with Disabilities Initiative. They explore how medical education can better support learners and clinicians with disabilities, discussing the initiative's origins, challenges faced by disabled learners, and practical steps for creating inclusive environments. They also examine the impact of disability representation on patient care and delve into a related TV show, The Pitt, highlighting a neurodivergent resident's approach to care. This episode underscores the importance of storytelling, policy transparency, and inclusive practices in transforming medical training and care. Docs with Disabilities Initiative: https://www.docswithdisabilities.org
In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi explore the power of blind-led media with Aaron Richmond, creator of Aaron's Opinion podcast and YouTube channel. Aaron shares his motivations behind starting his podcast, the unique tagline "Help one person today, help one million people tomorrow," and the importance of blind and disabled voices in media. The discussion touches on challenges in maintaining consistent content, building a community, and the role of media in shaping societal understanding of disabilities. The episode wraps up with a special deep cut featuring the music video Lift Me Up, celebrating Judy Heumann's legacy and showcasing accessible pop culture. Aaron's Opinion on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aaronsopiniontv Life Me Up video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmr4H9NpTKk
In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi explore the intersections of school mascots, disability, and advocacy. They are joined by Erin Elswood and Jillian Curwin of Mascots Matter, who provide insights into the harm caused by ableist mascots in schools and their campaign to eliminate them. The conversation covers personal experiences, challenges faced, and the importance of storytelling in shifting perspectives. The episode also features a discussion on the children's book Little Imperfections: A Tall Tale of Growing Up Different, emphasizing the importance of embracing differences. Listen to learn more about the campaign, its successes, and the ongoing efforts to create inclusive school environments. Mascots Matter website: https://mascotsmatter.net/ Little Imperfections website: https://littleimperfectionsbook.com/
In this episode of Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi explore the complex interplay between disability science, technology, and ethics with guest Katie Hasson, Associate Director at the Center for Genetics and Society. The conversation delves into the ethical concerns surrounding genetic technologies, the medical vs. social model of disability, and the risk of eugenics in current bioethical practices. Katie also highlights the Center's work in ensuring social justice and equity in biotechnologies, and emphasizing the importance of including disabled voices in policy discussions. The episode concludes with a discussion on the documentary 'Fixed: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement,' which examines the impact of biotechnology on the disabled community.
In this inaugural episode of our rebranded podcast, Disability Deep Dive, hosts Keith and Jodi introduce the new format and address the importance of discussing innovative ways to educate about disability through pop culture. Guest Kyle Romano, a professor at the University of South Florida, shares his experience teaching a unique course on disability and pop culture, sharing with us the impact of representation in media on public perceptions of disability. The episode also features a new segment, "This Week's Deep Cut," which spotlights the Hulu show Ramy for its authentic portrayal of disability through the character Steve Way, a disabled actor who brings genuine representation to the screen. The episode emphasizes the importance of real, lived experiences in shaping disability education and advocacy.
If you've been a listener of You First, you might notice things sound a little different. That's because we've rebranded! Welcome to Disability Deep Dive! The same podcast, but with a new name, a fresh perspective … and a brand new co-host. Keith Casebonne and Jodi Beckstine from Disability Rights Florida continue to bring you the stories, voices, and ideas that matter to the disability community. So whether you've been with us for years or you're just diving in—we're glad you're here. New Disability Deep Dive episodes are coming soon!
Welcome back to You First, where we're taking a small break from producing new episodes and instead are sharing some older episodes you might have missed. There's a good chance you missed this episode, our last of four encore episodes, as it didn't perform as well as most of our other ones. But we think the content is compelling and the guests are engaging, so we're putting it back out there. This episode is called "By and For People with Disabilities," and it was initially released in September of 2021. Elizabeth Wright and Jennifer Price are the guests, and they talk about how people with disabilities are creating their own content, controlling the narrative, and helping to create platforms where their stories, in their words, can be shared. And we're happy to share this encore episode with you. Resources: Conscious Being Magazine Disability Review Magazine EmpowerEd: Using Real Case Examples to Look Deeper into IEP Management Disability Media Network
Welcome to another encore episode of You First. We're taking a little break from making new episodes and are re-sharing some past episodes that we feel are worth another listen. This is the third of four encore episodes, initially released in July of 2023, and it's called "Paving a Way Disabled in STEM." We interviewed Dr. Anita Marshall to learn more about her work to make STEM education more accessible for students with disabilities. Anita created GeoSPACE, the first-ever disability-accessible planetary geoscience field course and mentoring program, and is the Executive Director of The International Association for Geoscience Diversity. We also debunk myths about academia, and wish we were back in school to be a part of this really cool work Anita is doing. Hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it! Show Notes and Resources: Dr. Anita Marshall's Website GeoSPACE Program The International Association for Geoscience Diversity
Today we have another encore episode of You First. This is the second of four encore episodes as we're taking a bit of a break from producing new episodes. Now this episode, "The Intersection of Disability and Reproductive Justice," is by far our most popular episode – and by a significant margin! But in case you missed it back in August of 2022, count your lucky stars because here it is again. Roe v Wade was overturned not long before we recorded this episode, and we wanted to take a deep dive into how the overturning affects the disability community. Maddie hosted this episode and led an incredible conversation with activists Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, Rebecca Cokley, Keith Jones, and Heather Watkins about how the ruling affects them, the disability community as a whole, and other marginalized groups, especially in ways that you may not have considered. And it's all just as relevant today as it was when we recorded it. Please note that this conversation discusses heavy themes and references systems of oppression such as racism and ableism, infanticide, abortion, and forced sterilization. Links: Morénike Giwa Onaiwu https://morenikego.com/ https://twitter.com/morenikego Keith Jones http://dasoultoucha.com/About/ https://twitter.com/dasoultoucha Heather Watkins https://slowwalkersseemore.com/ https://twitter.com/hwatkins927 Rebecca Cokley https://rebecca-cokley.medium.com/ https://twitter.com/rebeccacokley
We're taking a break from producing new episodes of You First for a bit, so we'll be re-releasing four older episodes that we feel are worth another listen. We're starting things off with an episode that is from February 2021 called "Disability Media Representation." We spoke with Beth Haller and Jeff Preston, both of whom are university professors, authors, and experts on disability in the media. We had a great discussion about what's been done both right and wrong with the portrayal of people with disabilities in both film and TV and the impact of streaming platforms on the movement. We kicked things off with an interesting discussion about what a disaster a movie called Music was that has been released not long before we recorded the episode. Referenced in the episode: Routledge Companion to Disability and Media Representing Disability in an Ableist World: Essays on Mass Media The Fantasy of Disability: Images of Loss in Popular Culture Disability and Social Media: Global Perspectives Salon: Sia's directorial debut "Music" is a baffling and patronizing cringefest of ableist minstrelsy LISTEN: Film by CommunicationFIRST NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
In this episode of You First, hosts Maddie and Keith dive into disability voting rights and the upcoming 2024 election with experts Michelle Bishop, Monica Wiley, and Jack Rosen from the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). The discussion explores voting accessibility, challenges faced by disabled voters, and new support resources in Florida. Emphasis is placed on the importance of local elections, the power of the disability vote, and the critical need for inclusivity and accessibility from the start. The conversation also highlights the politicization of disability in elections and the necessity of advocacy and allyship for voting rights. The episode concludes with an insight into an upcoming documentary on these vital issues. Relevant Links Voting Rights Hotline: Call 877-352-7337 if you have an issue with voting or registering to vote due to a disability. Election Protection Hotline English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Spanish/English 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) Asian Languages/English 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) Arabic/English 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) Website: https://866ourvote.org National Association of the Deaf's ASL Voter Assistance Hotline 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683) Website: https://www.nad.org/2018/09/28/asl-voter-assistance-hotline-available Disability Rights Florida's voting resources Main website: https://DisabilityRightsFlorida.org/voting Know Your Rights Fact Sheet: Making a Voting Access Complaint: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/publications/publication_info/HAVA_complaint Know Your Rights Fact Sheet: Supervised Facility Voting: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/publications/publication_info/fact_sheet_supervised_facility_voting Your Disability Voting Rights Brochure: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/publications/publication_info/voting_brochure Voting Machine Explainer Videos: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/disability-topics/disability_topic_info/voting_explainer_videos Know what's on your ballot: https://www.vote411.org/ballot Florida's Rev Up chapter 'Access the Vote Florida': https://www.accessthevote.org Find your P&A: https://www.ndrn.org/about/ndrn-member-agencies Rutger's Disability Vote Research: https://smlr.rutgers.edu/faculty-research-engagement/program-disability-research/voter-turnout-and-voting-accessibility Accessing Democracy Documentary Virtual Premier: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuc-ugqzksGNBHggVvDOiyio-S29EWgca5#/registration Accessing Democracy Trailer: https://youtu.be/j74zs8N8OLs #CripTheVote and Voting Advocacy - with Andrew Pulrang and Gregg Beratan: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/podcast/story/episode_66
In this episode of You First, hosts Keith and Maddie interview Matthew Cortland, a Senior Resident Fellow at Data for Progress. Matthew shares insights about their work in public opinion research and advocacy focused on disability issues and social policies. They discuss their personal journey, including challenges with the healthcare system, and explain how data is used to influence policy decisions. The conversation covers topics like the importance of accurate demographic data, the role of public opinion in advocacy, and effective messaging strategies for long-term care support and COVID-19. Matthew emphasizes the need for systemic interventions and supportive legislative efforts to better address the needs of disabled people. Relevant Links Follow Matthew on social media: https://linktr.ee/matthewcortland Data for Progress: https://www.dataforprogress.org Disability Rights program at the Ford Foundation: https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/challenging-inequality/disability-rights Disability Scoop article "Census Rethinking How To Count Disability Population": https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/08/15/census-rethinking-how-to-count-disability-population/31009 Data for Progress Message Testing on Home and Community-Based Services Coverage: https://www.dataforprogress.org/datasets/message-testing-on-home-and-community-based-services-coverage Long COVID Research Moonshot Act of 2024: https://www.sanders.senate.gov/in-the-news/sanders-proposes-moonshot-bill-to-combat-long-covid-crisis























