KPFA - Pushing Limits

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 15 million people worldwide are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI). These injuries are often sudden and life-changing—leaving many newly injured individuals overwhelmed and searching for support. Andrew Skinner On this week’s episode of Pushing Limits, we speak with Andrew Skinner, a man who decided to make that transition—from able-bodied to living with a spinal cord injury—a little easier for others traveling the same path. After his own injury in 2004, Andrew recognized a huge need for accessible equipment and resources for those newly injured. What began as a small effort grew into the Triumph Foundation, now the largest disability-support nonprofit in Southern California. Since its founding in 2008, Triumph has impacted the lives of over 10,000 individuals with disabilities and provided more than $2 million in assistance to people facing financial hardship or gaps in medical coverage. Tune in to hear Andrew’s story, the origins of Triumph Foundation, and how his work continues to empower the disability community today. This program is hosted and produced by Bonnie Elliott. It was edited by Denny Daughters and Jacob Stanton. Additionally, recording assistance was provided by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. The post ”Triumph“ for Spinal Cord Injured – Pushing Limits – October 24, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

Did you know that between 150 and 300 people died weekly from COVID during the summer of 2025 in the U.S.? If you were watching the mainstream media or getting news from the White House, this data may surprise you. According to them, COVID is old news and in the rearview mirror of history. However, today’s guest and disability advocate Polly Garcia is committed to educating their community about the virus. In the interview, she will address how the disability community has been impacted by COVID and the steps organizations can take to begin to address the community trauma that came with the pandemic. Polly has worked at the Centers for Disease Control and with various communities throughout the United States on issues related to public health. She is also an artist and mindfulness practitioner, who is getting her master’s in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, & Peacebuilding. Plus, stick around to the end to hear published poetry from M. S. Marquart. This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton and hosted and edited by Dominick Trevethan. Links to information about today’s guests, information about COVID, and other public health issues created by Polly: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/i8rSk4bmpsY6E Polly’s company – Cosmovisión LLC https://www.pollygarcia.com/ Poems by M. S. Marquart https://sites.google.com/view/msmarquart If you’d like to join Jacob’s monthly zoom meeting, Nothing Without Us, please reach out to him at jakeoaktown@gmail.com The post Telling the Truth about COVID = Act of Resistance – Pushing Limits – October 17, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

Executive actions, budget cuts, layoffs, and legislation—all within the first six months of the Trump administration—have severely curtailed disability rights and services, including access to Medicaid and the right to a free, appropriate public education. That’s the finding of a recent report by the Center for American Progress, authored by Casey Doherty and Mia Ives-Rublee—who will be our live guests on Pushing Limits this week. Co-producer and host Eddie Ytuarte comments: “The Trump regime is as intent on going after the disability community as it is on targeting non-White communities, universities, immigrants, and politically progressive people and organizations.” Don’t miss the rest of this important report reveal and discussion. This program is produced and hosted by Eddie Ytuarte. The post First Six Months – Lasting Damage – Pushing Limits – September 19, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

This Friday on Pushing Limits – Join hosts Adrienne Lauby and Eddie Ytuarte as they dig into the latest in disability political news. Adrienne and Eddie bring their sharp analysis and on-the-ground knowledge to the stories that matter most to the disability community. Don’t miss this timely and important conversation. Photos with attributions and some context for each: All from Flickr  1 Traveling Together Disability Awareness Week, University of Illinois, Springfield Illinois licensed as CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Traveling Together   Finger Pointing https://www.californialaborsolutions.com/understanding-disability-discrimination/ Finger Pointing “Together and Strong”  USAID/Georgia’s Disability Advocacy Project Participants in USAID/Georgia’s Disability Advocacy Project, implemented by the Coalition for Independent Living. Photo Credit: Lasha Kuprashvili, Coalition For Independent Living. This photo was a winner in the Democracy, Human Rights and Governance photo contest. Together and strong The post Disability Politics From The Frontlines – Pushing Limits – September 12, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

What if the only thing standing between you and a life-saving treatment was a price tag? For many living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, that’s the reality—Spinraza, one of three FDA approved treatments for SMA costs about $425,000 per injection. Beyond the medical challenges, families face crushing financial barriers and questions of accessibility that differ drastically from country to country. This week, we hear from brothers Derek and Justin. Justin lives with SMA type 1, and Derek—his brother and caregiver—has transformed their experience into a mission. He founded SOAR, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the SMA community by providing community outreach and support. Under SOAR, Derek created the SMA Support Mates Program, which connects kids and young adults with older mentors who know exactly what it’s like to live with SMA. Together, we talk about the urgent fight for affordable treatments, the stark contrast in accessibility between the U.S. and Vietnam, and how community can light the path forward. This interview has been edited from an episode of The Disability Myth. If you would like to hear the longer program, check out the podcast episode on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. This program is hosted and produced by Dominick Trevethan. Useful links: SOAR’s official website: https://www.sma-awareness.com/ SMA Support Mate Program: https://forms.gle/tdDS1iVPa27tbooq5 SOAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soar.sma_awareness?igsh=MWt4dTBmeW5uYzByYw== SMA Support Mates Program The post SOAR: Advocating for SMA – Pushing Limits – September 5, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

What does it take to turn one of the nation’s largest disability communities into a Ramiro Alvarez political force? In Detroit, where more than 30% of residents live with a disability, grassroots organizing has led to a groundbreaking victory: $8.4 million in the city’s 2025 budget is now dedicated to disability services. Join Pushing Limits this Friday as we continue our 2-part series on role model disability organizations. We talk with grassroots disability movement leader, Ramiro Alvarez, Communications Director at Detroit Disability Power. Listen in as we discuss how the organization built collective strength over eight years and won real change for the community. This episode is hosted by Adrienne Lauby and produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton with editing assistance by Dominick Trevethan and Denny Daughters.   The post Disability Advocacy in the Motor City – Pushing Limits – August 29, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

Will our national system of Independent Living Centers be sabotaged or even destroyed during the Trump Administration? The Trump people have already made extreme cuts to community services, and most of our 403 local centers are heavily funded by the Federal Government. Will we end up funding our service centers with bake sales and lemonade stands? Ami Hyten and Reyma McCoy Hyten, the co-directors of the Lois Curtis Center in Topeka, Kansas, have a better idea! Their organization is a physical and virtual hub for services, supports, and guidance that centers individuals with disabilities who experience marginalization within the disability community. They particularly include people of color, people who are homeless, and people who are system-involved. And, they don’t take any government funding. The Lois Curtis Center doesn’t have restrictions on who they can serve or the type of advocacy they engage in. Listen in as we talk to these two dynamic women about the benefits and downsides of working without Federal funding. Speaking of providing information without government influence, we will also feature poets Jennifer Chassman-Brown and Marsha Cutting, who will speak honestly about living with a disability in 2025. This episode is hosted by Dominick Trevethan. It was scripted and produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton with editing assistance by Denny Daughters and Dominick Trevethan. Also, here’s an excellent article about Federal cuts already in process! The post Service Without The Feds – Pushing Limits – August 22, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

A second investigation by Disability Rights California (DRC) has once again revealed inhumane conditions at a southern California ICE detention center imprisoning immigrants. The facility is called Adelanto Detention Center and is owned and operated by a private company: The GEO Group. DRC investigators found the following conditions: Inadequate Access to Medical and Mental Health Care and Disability Accommodations Inadequate Access to Food, Water, and Clothes Limited Connections with Family and Natural Supports This investigation comes at a time when ICE faces mounting accusations of mismanaging detention facilities, contracting with private operators that cut corners, and wrongfully detaining many immigrants — including some U.S. citizens. Joining us to shed light on the investigation is DRC attorney Adeyinka Glover, formerly a Clients’ Rights Advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Adeyinka has also fought for housing rights, protection from domestic violence, guardianships, and environmental justice in the Central Valley. Her career is fueled by the belief that high-quality legal advocacy can help underserved populations including individuals, families, and communities not just survive, but thrive. Adeyinka holds a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Africana Studies from San Diego State University. When she’s not in the fight for justice, she enjoys traveling and exploring art in all its forms. This program is produced and hosted by Eddie Ytuarte. Adeyinka Glover The post Disabled In ICE Detention Center – Pushing Limits – August 15, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

Well, it’s that time of year again, folks. Time to boogie to your favorite artists with disabilities, but with a twist! This week on Pushing Limits, it’s all about musicians with all types of disabilities, and the best part is that the songs you’ll hear aren’t available on any streaming services. Among the disabilities represented in our lineup are blindness, multiple sclerosis, drug addiction, and Meniere’s disease. Make sure to turn up the volume: we’ve got a live track sent only to radio stations, a hard-to-find remix, and a hit missing its trademark saxophone solo! This show was hosted, edited, and produced by Denny Daughters. The post Disabled Musicians—Unfiltered Tracks – Pushing Limits – August 8, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

The Most Magical Place on Earth… for everyone? Or are recent changes turning Disney into a place of exclusion for disabled guests? Charisma On this week’s episode of Pushing Limits, Talia Thompson Mariano sits down with Natasha Caudill and Charisma Mangahas to explore the fallout from Disney’s controversial overhaul of its Disability Access Service (DAS). Are these new policies protecting the system—or punishing those who truly need it? How do these updates impact guests with physical disabilities, and what might they mean for the future of accessible theme park experiences? Tune in for a revealing conversation that goes beyond the magic. This program was hosted by Talia Thompson Mariano, with recording by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. Sound editing by Talia Thompson Mariano and Denny Daughters. The post When Magic Meets Barriers — Access Denied at Disney Parks – Pushing Limits – August 1, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

The Sapir Wharf Hypothesis is a lens through which communication scholars often observe and predict cultures‘ language and worldviews. It states that language determines a native speaker’s perception and categorization of experience. But what does this mean when it’s applied to people living with disabilities, the language we choose to communicate with, and the language others choose to describe us? Jacob Farzanmehr Jazmin Romero Joining our communication-conversation this week are two young adults: Jacob Farzanmehr and Jazmin Romero. Jacob lives with Cerebral Palsy and currently attends Alan Hancock Community College. Similarly, Jazmin currently attends Mesa Community College and lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. As we explore their experiences as people with disabilities, we’ll compare and contr ast how they see themselves through the lens of language—and how others see them. How do words like cripple, disabled, and handicapped differ in their minds from terms like differently-abled? Tune in to find out! And stick around until the end to hear which terms the Pushing Limits crew are not so fond of. This program was hosted and produced by Dominick Trevethan with editing assistance from Denny Daughters. Additional commentary provided by Eddie Ytuarte, Bonnie Elliott, Denny Daughters, Adrienne Lauby, and Jacob Lesner-Buxton. The post The Lens of Language – Pushing Limits – July 18, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in both disability rights and Krispjin Parsons LGBTQ+ visibility. However, the intersection of these identities remains an area that is often overlooked. On today’s show, we welcome Krispjin Parsons, a gay man on the autism spectrum, who shares his personal journey navigating life at the crossroads of queerness and neurodiversity. Through candid reflections on both the challenges and triumphs he’s experienced, Krispjin sheds light on the often-invisible nature of this intersectional identity. This episode explores the richness and complexity within both the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities, and highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating the full spectrum of lived experiences. This program is hosted and produced by Jacob Stanton with editing assistance from Denny Daughters and Dominick Trevethan. The post The Intersection Between Disability & Queerness – Pushing Limits – July 11, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

What would you do if your world slowly started going silent—and you didn’t know why? This week on Pushing Limits, we bring you the story of Claire, a young student in Utah who began losing her hearing in fifth grade, despite having no family history of disability. When Claire was in fifth grade, she noticed the hearing in her right ear dropped, followed by her left ear. Now entering ninth grade, Claire reflects on her journey of obtaining hearing aids, a cochlear implant, and how she and her mother, Michelle, are learning to navigate a new language, a new identity, and a new understanding of access. Tune in as we ask what her audiologist and ENT did to help her, what made her decide to get a cochlear implant in her right ear, and how she learned to adapt to the cochlear implant. How do mother and daughter feel about learning American Sign Language? This week, Denny Daughters talks to Claire and her mother Michelle to answer all these questions and more. Plus, for a full transcript of the entire program, scroll down. The idea for this episode of Pushing Limits came from Denny’s wife, Deah Daughters. This show was hosted, edited, and produced by Denny Daughters. Audio transcription was by Nicole Struthers.   Pushing Limits – Sudden Changes [Opening intro music]   Denny:  Hello, and welcome to Pushing Limits, KPFA’s program by and about people with disabilities. We air every Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.  I’m your host, Denny Daughters. Today, I have two guests, Claire and her mother, Michelle. Both live in Utah. Claire will be going into ninth grade this fall. This is her final year of junior high. Claire’s mom, dad, and three siblings don’t have any disabilities.   In fifth grade, Claire was a typical kid without any disabilities. That year, she lost her hearing. She went from having hearing aids in both ears to having a hearing aid in her left ear and a cochlear implant in her right ear. Welcome to Pushing Limits. Let’s start out with a brief introduction from both of you.   Claire:  I’m Claire, and I lost my hearing in fifth grade, so it’s been almost four years.   Michelle:  My name’s Michelle, and I’m Claire’s mom.   Denny:  How many people are in your family?   Claire:  I have two brothers, one sister. I’m the youngest.   Denny:  Do any of your family members have disabilities?   Claire:  No.   Denny:  Do you remember what you were doing when you lost your hearing, and what was it like for you after you lost your hearing?   Claire:  I remember very well. I was just playing Legos, and then it just dropped, and it started ringing, and it never stopped. So, I’d be like, “Mama, it’s still in my ear,” and I could still hear out my other ear. It’s kind of like a bunch of buzzing or like the ringing in your ears, but also sometimes it’ll sound like there’s a fly in your ear or something. We would put stuff in my ears trying to get a fly out, because I thought there was a fly in my ear.   Michelle:  She wouldn’t believe me that there was no fly in her ear and would ask me to check over and over –   Claire:  Every day.   Michelle:  — because she just felt like there was —   Claire:  It sounded like it.   Michelle:  — a fly, but it was ringing so loud that I was having to yell really loud for her just to be able to hear me.   Claire:  Yeah.   Denny:  When the buzzing in Claire’s ears wouldn’t go away, it took about a week for them to get in to see her pediatrician, and then it was two weeks after that for them to see the ENT.  Here’s Michelle.   Michelle:  It started to ring, and we talked to her pediatrician –   Claire:  Oh, yeah.   Michelle:  — right away.   Claire:  I don’t remember that.   Michelle:  And he thought that maybe she had some fluid in her ears, and so we went and got that checked out, and it looked okay, but they put her on a medication in case there was some fluid that they couldn’t detect, and then he had us wait.  At that point, when it didn’t come back, then he had us go see an ENT.   We got her in pretty quickly. The thing that was tricky is that I started calling around to different ENTs, and no one could get her in.  They were all booked out pretty far, even just a month or two, but I was trying to explain, “She can’t hear. I feel like this is kind of an urgent thing.” So, I finally found a place that could get her in, you know, it was a week or two after I called. They weren’t pediatric, but it was fine.   They did an audiology test, and then she met with the ENT. They at that point just said – and this was our first doctor appointment – but they said, “Oh, she’s going to need hearing aids,” and it just caught me so off guard, because everything up to that point you’d fixed. Right? She gets strep throat, you get medication, you fixed it. For them to just flat-out say, “Oh, she lost her hearing,” it was just shocking to me.  I don’t think Claire even knows this, but I cried the whole way home, and she couldn’t hear me in the back seat because she couldn’t hear, and I was just devastated.   Claire:  Oh, yeah.   Michelle:  So, I came home and started researching more, and I saw that sometimes with sudden hearing loss, steroids would help.  I called my pediatrician that night. He’s a friend of ours, and so I called him at 9:00 at night and said, “Would you prescribe some steroids for her to try?” He said, “You need to get in to this one specific ENT as soon as you can,” and I said, “I actually have an appointment with him, but it’s not for another month and a half,” and he said, “I will get you in tomorrow.”   The next morning, I got a call from their office, and they got Claire in that day, and they did another audiology test with her, and then they gave her a round of steroids, which did bring her hearing back a little bit.   Claire:  Yeah.   Michelle:  But we had to go through all of the motions to see if there was anything that we could do to help with that, and it didn’t, and so at that point, they decided the hearing aids would be the best option.   The first time we went in to this office that we’re with now, the pediatric audiologist that we’re with was on a humanitarian trip, and so they just had her seeing whoever was available at the time for her appointments.  But once we got in with this specific audiologist, she has just been –   Claire:  She was perfect.   Michelle:  — so incredibly amazing.   Claire:  Yeah.   Michelle:  I would say that’s something that’s been amazing with Claire’s journey is just how amazing the people have been.  Her audiologist, we’ve gotten to become really close with.  She’s just been amazing.  I couldn’t ask for anything better. Her ENT, same thing.   Claire:  Yeah.   Michelle:  Just, they’ve been so good for Claire and done so much and truly cared about her, and it makes such a difference to go through this with that kind of healthcare provider.   Denny:  What were some of the emotions you were going through while all this was going on?   Claire:  I was just confused, because I didn’t really know. When I was younger, I thought it was just like silence, so I didn’t understand why I just had a ringing in my ear and why I couldn’t hear, so I was really just confused. I wasn’t really too nervous or anything.   Denny:  How did you feel when you found out first you were going to have hearing aids?   Claire:  I was kind of excited, because I’ve always wanted to experience stuff like that, and also because I could hear and stuff.   Denny:  Which ear did you lose your hearing in first?   Claire:  It started in the right ear, and then it came to the left, and then they were pretty good. Then my right ear kind of dropped, so then they did a bunch of stuff. They were testing things again, putting me on steroids, trying to see if we could get my right ear up, and then we talked about maybe getting a cochlear implant.   Denny:  Claire, have you ever been around somebody who’s deaf before?   Claire:  Yeah.  I’ve met kids at school.   Michelle:  There was one kid that had hearing aids, but he wasn’t really –   Claire:  No, he had two hearing aids, and then this kid with two cochlears and a girl with a hearing aid.   Michelle:  Okay.  But at that time, you didn’t really know them.   Claire:  Yeah, and I still don’t know them.  Like, I know them, and I knew their names, but it’s not like we were friends, and I never really talked to them.   Denny:  Some people in the deaf community feel that it’s better to learn American Sign Language, ASL, in order to preserve the deaf culture rather than getting cochlear implants. What are your thoughts on that, Claire?   Claire:  I don’t have that many feelings, but I also feel like I tried learning ASL, but I didn’t really like doing it, and I felt like it was really hard for me to learn.  Having things like cochlears for kids who might not be able to do it or like – yeah, just not being able to do it or anything.   Denny:  So, for you, learning ASL was difficult?   Claire:  Yeah.  I only tried it for a little bit of time, and then I kind of just stopped.  I know some words and the alphabet, but it’s not like I know all of the signs.   Michelle:  Can I share my thoughts on that, too?   Claire:  Yeah, you can share your thoughts.   Denny:  Absolutely.   Michelle:  So, I actually love ASL.  I have always been fascinated with it. When I was little, I took a class during the summer, and I just love it. Anytime we’ve been anywhere where there’s an interpreter that is signing, I just focus on that, and I think it is such a beautiful language. I would still love for Claire and I and other members of our family to learn it, because there are times – for example, we’re on the beach, or at night when she’s going to bed and she doesn’t have her devices on – that I think it would be amazing.   But as we talked about the decision to do a cochlear, we realized that Claire is in a hearing community. She lives in a hearing community. Her family is hearing. Her friends are hearing.   Claire:  Yeah.   Michelle:  Her neighbors are hearing. And so, for Cl

What happens when the care you need to survive just isn’t available? Across the U.S., millions of disabled people are facing a growing caregiver shortage—a crisis that makes independent living harder, sometimes impossible. For those with complex physical disabilities like Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Kevin Schaefer This week on Pushing Limits, we talk with Kevin Schaefer—a disability advocate, writer, and podcast host living with SMA. Kevin is the voice behind the podcast, SMA News Today, and Embracing My Inner Alien, a column where he shares deeply personal, often humorous stories about navigating life in a body that relies on others for daily care. Tune in as we unpack what it means to depend on a support system that’s under threat of losing government funding, the difference in accessibility across the country, and why creating community matters more than ever. This program is hosted and produced by Dominick Trevethan. The post SMA: Weak Muscles—Stronger Voices – Pushing Limits – June 27, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

What happens when psychiatric hospitals use restraints and drugs in ways that violate the rights of disabled patients? What does it mean when unhoused disabled people are forced to navigate city services from tents on the sidewalk? And is the Bay Area transit system finally listening to disabled riders? This Friday on Pushing Limits, Eddie Ytuarte and Talia Mariano take you on a fast-paced tour through some of the most pressing disability rights developments in California. From providing an update on the damning report on College Hospital Cerritos—where Disability Rights California found dangerous conditions for psychiatric patients—to a firsthand look at the growing encampments of unhoused disabled people in Berkeley, they’ll break down what’s really happening on the ground. Plus, they’ll bring insights from a recent Metropolitan Transportation Commission disability conference, exploring how transportation policies are shifting—or stalling—for riders with disabilities. Tune in to stay informed, stay connected, and hear voices from the front lines of the disability rights movement. This program is hosted by Eddie Ytuarte and Talia Mariano. The post Disability Happenings – Pushing Limits – June 20, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

This Friday on Pushing Limits, we dig into the escalating attacks on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) under the Trump administration. As backlash spreads nationwide, what does it mean for the disability community? Desiree Delonia Our guest, Desiree Delonia, Director of DEIA at Disability Rights California (DRC), joins us to unpack what DEIA really is, why it matters, and how DRC is pushing back against efforts to dismantle it. Plus, we will catch up with one of our past guests, Jennifer Chassman, and discuss how her work as a DIEA practitioner has changed since Trump took office. This episode is hosted by Denny Daughters with production assistance from Jacob Lesner-Buxton, and contributions from Adrienne Lauby. Relevant Resources: Disability Rights California Jennifer Chassman’s Website Desiree Delonia’s Book Cal State East Bay’s Think by the Bay program Jennifer Chassman The post The State of DEIA Under Trump 2.0 – Pushing Limits – June 13, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

On this edition of Pushing Limits, we speak with Grace Fisher — a gifted artist, founder of Santa Barbara’s Inclusive Arts Clubhouse, and owner of the Grace Fisher Foundation. At 17, Grace’s life changed overnight when she was paralyzed from the neck down by Acute Flaccid Myelitis, a rare polio-like illness. During her rehabilitation, she discovered adaptive music and art — a turning point that would shape her future. In 2023, driven by a vision of creativity and community, she opened the Grace Fisher Inclusive Arts Clubhouse, which has become a vibrant center offering music, dance, and art classes for people with disabilities. Grace joins Pushing Limits collective member Bonnie Elliott for a conversation about art, disability, and what it takes to run an inclusive creative space. This episode is hosted by Bonnie Elliott, with production support from Jacob Lesner-Buxton and editing by Denny Daughters. Grace Fisher The post Inclusive Arts Clubhouse – Pushing Limits – June 6, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

How far can a California private psychiatric hospital go in violating the rights and safety of people with disabilities—without being held accountable? A new report from Disability Rights California (DRC) shines a harsh light on College Hospital in Cerritos (CHC), revealing a disturbing pattern of inappropriate restraint and seclusion, as well as questionable use of involuntary emergency medications. These are not isolated incidents—they point to systemic problems affecting some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. On this program of Pushing Limits, we’ll speak with Richard Diaz, the lead attorney on the investigation, to unpack the key findings and what they mean for psychiatric care across California. We’ll also examine how a lack of oversight, transparency, and disability rights enforcement contributes to ongoing harm in institutions that are supposed to help people heal. What can be done to stop it? What recourse do disabled residents have? And what role should we all be playing in demanding better? Tune in to find out. This program is hosted and produced by Eddie Ytuarte. The post Locked In and Let Down in Cerritos – Pushing Limits – May 30, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

We’re living in a world where our country’s leaders believe that people with learning disabilities will never pay taxes, go on a date, or hold a job. But if you ask people on the spectrum about their capabilities, you’ll likely hear a very different story. On today’s edition of Pushing Limits, we go straight to the source. We talk with Cristopher Campbell, an aspiring paramedic, student at Santa Rosa Junior College, and someone who lives with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He shares what life is really like living with ADHD, while navigating the demands of college including the pressure of due dates, social anxiety, and a tight schedule. He also discusses the tools that help him succeed as a student and as a contributing member of society. This conversation breaks stereotypes and gives voice to lived experience a reminder that disability doesn’t define potential. This program was hosted and produced by Jacob Stanton. Editing assistance was provided by Denny Daughters and Dominick Trevethan. The post Redefining Capable: Life on the Spectrum – Pushing Limits – May 2, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

Ever visit a museum and feel like it wasn’t built with you in mind? Struggled to read the exhibit text, navigate a gallery space, or find someone who could help — all while being told the place was “accessible”? You’re not alone. And change is possible. Maia Scott This week on Pushing Limits, we’re joined by Maia Scott, a blind educator and disability advocate who’s working to transform how museums serve people with disabilities. Maia recently launched her own consulting business that focuses on partnering with museums and other cultural institutions to break down barriers whether they are physical or systemic. She brings her lived experience and creative insight to the conversation, sharing how inclusive design, tactile access, better signage, and staff training can open doors — not just for disabled folks, but for everyone. Whether you’re someone who’s felt excluded from these spaces, or you work in one and want to do better, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. This episode of Pushing Limits is hosted by Bonnie Elliott, produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton, and edited by Denny Daughters. To learn more about Maia’s work, visit  https://maiamaia.co/ The post Making Museums Accessible for All – Pushing Limits – April 25, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.