KPFA - Pushing Limits

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  • Every two weeks

A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing insight into the grassroots disability movement to the general public.

  1. 2 days ago

    Olmstead Under Threat – Pushing Limits – July 3, 2026

    Will we return to the bad old days of existence in substandard hospitals and nursing homes?  Or will we fight to preserve our lives in the community? Sadly, this is not a rhetorical question.   In 1999, the United States Supreme Court passed the Olmstead decision determining that people with disabilities should not be forced into institutions when they can be safely and appropriately supported in community settings. Or, in other words, people with mental and other disabilities no longer had to be incarcerated in oppressive institutions when they could reside in whatever type of community living was most appropriate to the individual.  But in a memo issued in June, the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel upended that guidance. It argued that neither the Americans with Disabilities Act, nor Section 504, two major disability rights laws, requires states to provide services in the most mainstream setting.   Pushing Limits on Friday, July 3 interviews Eric Harris, Associate Executive Director of External Affairs for Disability Rights California, to discuss Olmstead and the threat against it.  This Program is hosted and produced by Eddie Ytuarte.  Click here for a relevant article. For more info on our guest click here or read below:  Eric Harris is DRC’s Associate Executive Director of External Affairs with an extensive career working closely with disability leaders, community members, and elected officials throughout the country to progress change for the disability community. Eric Harris Harris brings significant local, state and federal policy experience, having worked for Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the Democratic National Committee and the California and Hawaii State NAACP.  Mr. Harris has led discussions on disability pride, inclusion and access on platforms throughout the country. He has spoken at Harvard Law School, the University of California at Berkeley School of Medicine and at the White House.   Harris started his time at DRC in 2019 working in the legislation and estrategic partnerships and community engagement units. He served on the State Independent Living Council as a Governor Newsom appointee and as a board member for the Resources for Independent Living in Sacramento. He grew up in Sacramento, California and was an elite wheelchair basketball player.  “Creating public policy that improves the lives of disabled people has been my life’s mission. I look forward to working closely with intersectional disability leaders throughout the state to improve the lives of all people with disabilities.”  The post Olmstead Under Threat – Pushing Limits – July 3, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    30 min

  2. 26 Jun

    Pushing Limits – Disability Rights in Times of War

    Today’s episode of Pushing Limits examines how war and conflict uniquely affect people with disabilities, with a focus on Israel and Lebanon. The hosts explore how disability perspectives are often overlooked in mainstream coverage and discuss the challenges disabled people face during displacement, access to care, and survival in times of crisis. A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing the insight of the grassroots disability movement to the general public. The post Pushing Limits – Disability Rights in Times of War appeared first on KPFA.

    30 min

  3. 19 Jun

    Musicians With All Types of Disabilities – Pushing Limits – June 19, 2026

    We’ve spun a lot of records and told a lot of stories—but there’s still more to discover. And speaking of…   Join Denny Daughters on Friday, June 19, at 2:30 pm for another installment of Musicians With Disabilities. This time, Denny explores the stories and music of artists affected by blindness, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Discover how these performers continued to create and leave their mark on music despite the obstacles they faced.   Along the way, you might learn something new about the artists and groups behind the songs. Featuring music from the 1960s through the 1990s, this program offers a unique blend of great music and fascinating stories.   This show was hosted edited and produced by Denny Daughters.  The post Musicians With All Types of Disabilities – Pushing Limits – June 19, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    30 min

  4. 12 Jun

    The Last Person on IHSS – Pushing Limits – June 12, 2026

    This Friday, Pushing Limits talks to “The Last Person on IHSS.”   This Friday afternoon at 2:30, Pushing Limits presents a radio play entitled “The Last Person on IHSS.”   It’s the year 2036, three years since California eliminated its In-Home Supportive Services program, commonly known as IHSS. Since 1973, this program has allowed people with disabilities to choose the individual they want to assist them with daily living and provides the funds to hire them. In the years since the program was eliminated, several funds had been set up to pay caregivers. However, due to the failing economy, these funds soon ran out. People were also encouraged to volunteer their time to care for those with disabilities, while former IHSS recipients were told to use their savings to pay for care. However, month after month, more people with disabilities ran out of funding, forcing them into institutions. After much research, the Pushing Limits team identified Betty Adler of Berkeley, CA, as the last person enrolled in the IHSS program to live independently. For the past three years, the 80-year-old Adler has been using her inheritance and personal savings to keep her 42-year-old caregiver, Amy, employed. However, Betty’s money has run out.    We interviewed Betty on the eve of her entering a nursing home to find out about her life as the last person on IHSS. Come join us to hear an episode from the future that we hope to never see.    After the play, we’ll return to 2026 and rebroadcast some important information about current Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund initiatives, including the intersections of disability with immigration policy, physician-assisted suicide, and reproductive rights.  The Last Person on IHSS stars:    Denny Daughters   Kelly Kivlahan   Emily Bridges   Dominick Trevethan   Jennifer Chassman Browne Joni Gold   The script was written by the cast, Jacob Lesner-Buxton, and Collin Thoma and was produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. Editing was done by Denny Daughters and Dominick Trevethan.   If you are inspired by the play, you can e-mail your legislators your thoughts on the IHSS program at https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/  For a full program transcription, click here The post The Last Person on IHSS – Pushing Limits – June 12, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    30 min

  5. 5 Jun

    The State of Disability in Lebanon – Pushing Limits – June 5, 2026

    Pushing Limits continues its coverage of disability issues in the Middle East, particularly as tensions and military conflict continue to affect the region.  Hannah Guedenet This Friday, June 5, our focus turns to Lebanon. We’ll examine the state of disability rights in the country, the availability of services and support for people with disabilities, and the challenges faced by the large population of Syrian refugees living there.  Joining us is Hannah Guedenet, U.S. Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion, an international organization that recently released a report on disability in Lebanon. She’ll discuss the report’s findings, and disability in Lebanon as Israeli Defense forces constantly occupy more of the country.  Hannah Guedenet joined Humanity & Inclusion as the U.S. Executive Director in November 2024. She brings more than 15 years of experience in strategic communications and program management to drive global health and food security initiatives. Passionate about impactful storytelling and stakeholder engagement, she excels in enhancing visibility and building sustainable partnerships. She began her international development career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea. This program is hosted and produced by Eddie Ytuarte. The post The State of Disability in Lebanon – Pushing Limits – June 5, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    30 min

  6. 29 May

    Jacob’s Stories From Overseas – Pushing Limits – May 29, 2026

    Join Denny Daughters this Friday on Pushing Limits. He interviewed Pushing Limits collective member Jacob Stanton on March 21st of this year. At the time, Stanton was a U.S. citizen living in Israel. He shares his experiences living in a foreign country, teaching students English, and what life is like for people with disabilities in Israel. He also discusses a couple of side projects he has been working on. Plus, stick around until the end of the show to hear how he has readjusted to life back here in the States.  This show was hosted, edited, and produced by Denny Daughters.  The article Denny refers to can be found here For a full program transcription, click here The post Jacob’s Stories From Overseas – Pushing Limits – May 29, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    30 min

  7. 24 Apr

    Clausen House & The Job Coach Connection – Pushing Limits – April 24, 2026

    Looking for work is tough for anyone, but for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the barriers can be even higher. This week on Pushing Limits, we take you inside the world of supported employment and the real impact it has on people’s lives.  Jason (left) and Josh (right) Dominick Trevethan and Josh Elwood sit down with Jason Shaw, Director of Supported Employment and Josh’s job coach at Clausen House in Oakland. Together, they talk about what Clausen House actually does, how job coaching works behind the scenes, and why meaningful employment can be life-changing with the help of Josh’s lived experience as a person with an IDD.  What does it really take to help someone land — and keep — a job? What challenges still exist for people with IDD seeking employment? And what happens when the right support finally clicks? Tune in to find out.   Plus, join us as we celebrate an anniversary of the popular phrase “Inspiration Porn” with excerpts from Stella Young’s famous TED talk explaining the term.  This program is hosted by Dominick Trevethan. It was produced and edited by Josh Elwood, Adrienne Lauby, and Dominick Trevethan. Recording assistance provided by Denny Daughters.  The post Clausen House & The Job Coach Connection – Pushing Limits – April 24, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    30 min

  8. 17 Apr

    Disability in MAGA Land – Pushing Limits – April 17, 2026

    The disability community waits fearfully for the hammer to fall from the Big Beautiful Bill’s cuts to MediCal and other state services. Atfuluna’s Community Kitchen in Gaza is run by 20 persons with disabilities, especially hard of hearing, who were trained as cooks. That hammer falls after the mid-term elections, and, as we wait, we’re dealing with a steady drip of bad news – from new cuts in the President’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, to the disability caused by the U.S. – Israeli war on Iran.  And yet!  Disabled people aren’t just waiting around. There are many stories of resistance – like the community kitchen in Gaza run by deaf people.  Yes, we’re doing good work, helping each other, filing lawsuits and acting on the big stage of our lives.   Listen in as Pushing Limits tells the stories.   Hosted & Produced by Eddie Ytuarte and Adrienne Lauby.  For a full program transcription, click here Licensing: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/ Deaf run kitchen in Gaza Photo provided by zeroproject.org “Disability is Not Inability.” Image painted by Timothy, a local artist in Gulu, September, 2011 Flickr The post Disability in MAGA Land – Pushing Limits – April 17, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

    30 min
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About

A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing insight into the grassroots disability movement to the general public.

Information

  • Creator
    KPFA
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026KPFA 312700
  • Show Website
    KPFA - Pushing Limits

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