You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast Disability Rights Florida

Today's episode features disability and artificial intelligence (AI) experts Larry Weru, Ariana Aboulafia, and Jennifer Gray. AI has been around for years, but things changed when OpenAI released ChatGPT. Since then, the news around AI has increased a lot. AI is more than just a chatbot responder; it can be used in many different ways. We talk with the guests about how AI impacts people with disabilities in their healthcare, education, and employment. The guests provide both intriguing and alarming information about the implications for people with disabilities.
Relevant Links:
Larry Weru’s bio: https://bit.ly/3x6hCUt Jennifer Gray’s bio: https://bit.ly/3KvALSQ New Disabled South: https://bit.ly/3HzJsdg Ariana Aboulafia’s bio: https://bit.ly/3KBv9X7 Center for Democracy & Technology: https://bit.ly/3RiYyJx New Disabled South’s Study on the Benefits and Challenges of Autonomous Workplace Technology on Disability Rights and Labor Rights: https://bit.ly/4bLRA8a Center for Democracy & Technology’s Project on Disability Rights in Technology Policy: https://bit.ly/458k7SV Automating Ableism (article): https://bit.ly/45bJXW4 99% of Fortune 500 companies use AI (article): https://bit.ly/4bIOFx9 A racist soap dispenser? Critical Theory and the non-neutrality of society (article): https://bit.ly/4c1zkId

This podcast episode features Andrew Pulrang and Gregg Beratan, prominent figures in disability advocacy and social change. Their pioneering initiative, #CripTheVote, created alongside Alice Wong, has been important in raising awareness about the political power of disabled citizens and sparking meaningful conversations about disability, politics, and activism. Through their efforts, Pulrang and Beratan have used social media to foster a continuous online space that acts as a living archive for disability voting and civic engagement work. Our conversation also considers and discusses concerns and hesitancy around voting, especially for people with disabilities. We discuss the different approaches and why voting can be an effective way for people with disabilities to advocate for themselves.
Relevant Links
Follow Andrew Pulrang on Twitter: x.com/AndrewPulrang Follow Gregg Beratan on Twitter: x.com/GreggBeratan Disability Rights Florida Voting Resources: https://bit.ly/3UN9bp6 Access the Vote Florida: www.AccessTheVote.org Rev Up Campaign through AAPD: www.AAPD.com/about-rev-up Disability Victory: DisabilityVictory.org Detroit Disability Power: DetroitDisabilityPower.org New Disabled South: NewDisabledSouth.org

In this episode of You First, co-hosts Keith and Maddie speak with Indigenous activist and disability rights leader Vesper Moore about the Mad Movement, psychiatric survivorship, and envisioning a future of collective care. Vesper, deeply involved in mental health and disability rights activism, discusses their work in altering perceptions and legislation surrounding mental health both nationally and with international bodies. The conversation delves into the history of psychiatric survivor movements, the problematic nature of involuntary commitment, and the importance of community care over institutional care. Moore emphasizes the power of peer support and shares insights into the Kiva Centers, a peer respite group that offers an alternative to traditional psychiatric institutions. Furthermore, Vesper touches on their advocacy work against re-institutionalization and for more humane, community-focused approaches to mental health care, advocating for dialogue and solidarity within the disability rights movements. The episode concludes with a call for comprehensive community support systems and the significant role of peer-led initiatives in transforming mental health care. 
Content Warning: This conversation includes instances of ableism, saneism, racism, involuntary incarceration, and mentions violence against BIPOC, disabled people, and houseless folks. Discretion is advised.
Relevant Links: 
Vesper Moore’s website: https://bit.ly/4aG6VpE  Bethlem/Bedlem Hospital: https://bit.ly/49m8Bnp  Lunatics' Friend Society: https://bit.ly/4aGxzPu  Rusk State Hospital Revolt: https://bit.ly/43IIzcQ  Drapetomania (YouTube video): https://bit.ly/4aFSP7P  Hiawatha Insane Asylum: https://bit.ly/43IIENG  Taíno people: https://on.natgeo.com/49mEs7h  Kiva Centers: https://bit.ly/49mEvQv  CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets): https://bit.ly/43JA1Co  Bandelier National Monument Kivas: https://bit.ly/43HCWf1 

In today's episode, we are joined by two international disability advocates, Rosangela Berman Bieler and Patricia Almeida. During our conversation, we discuss the importance and impact of global disability policy and rights work, including their work with the UN and UNICEF. They also discuss how other countries compare to the US regarding disability progress and inclusion, global accessibility initiatives, and the need for continued fighting for disability rights.
Relevant Links  
Disabled People's International for the Latin American Council  The Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment (GADIM)  Shutterstock Collaboration with GADIM  Simple as This Easy language Guide by Patricia Almeida  Dom Evans & FilmDis   United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD)  United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child  UNICEF Programme Children with Disabilities  World Bank Disability  I Protect Myself   The Zero Project  Inter-American Institute on Disability and Inclusive Development  UN Down syndrome day Brazilian Soap Opera “Pages of Life” and Cladine, actor with disability 

In this week's episode, co-hosts Keith and Maddie talk with The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies' Co-Directors Shaylin Sluzalis & Germán Parodi. The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) is the only U.S. disability-led, 501(c)(3) organization that prioritizes equity, access, disability rights, disability justice, and full inclusion of people with disabilities, older adults, and people with access and functional needs before, during and after disasters and emergencies. We chat about how their work started, how Floridians with disabilities can stay safe during hurricanes, how other emergencies disproportionately impact disabled people, and resources to take precautions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and flu season.
Relevant resources:
The Partnership’s website: https://bit.ly/3uUvobE  Disaster hotline: https://bit.ly/48y9b0Y 800-626-4959 Hotline@disasterstrategies.org  Weekly stakeholder call and events: https://bit.ly/3ImOryI  The Partnership’s resources, including your rights during a disaster: https://bit.ly/49SXGCk  Local weather alerts: https://bit.ly/3wxqj9E  Having a plan & emergency kit list: https://bit.ly/3eTEXgh  Find your local emergency management office and resources: https://bit.ly/49WBGqg  Special Needs Registry Shelter: https://bit.ly/3IjgW07  Disability Information and Access Line: https://bit.ly/3Ij5dPd  or by phone 888-677-1199 Find your local Center for Independent Living: https://bit.ly/48D0S3N  DRF vaccine clinics: https://bit.ly/3qVCve6  DRF vaccine assistance: https://bit.ly/3kAlqo2  Masking bloc – local support groups, free masks, guidance, etc.: https://bit.ly/3uWBSXz 

In this episode of You First, we talk with Jen White-Johnson (she/they), a renowned artist, educator, and disability activist who uses the arts as a medium to champion the life, joy, and experiences of the disabled and neurodivergent community. Jen discusses their journey as someone diagnosed with ADHD later in life, the barriers for disabled Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to getting a diagnosis, and the impact of their son being diagnosed with autism. They talk about the need for more disabled BIPOC representation in visual media, their efforts to bring disabled artists to the forefront, and how they work to deconstruct ableism in the classroom. Jen discusses their artwork that celebrates Disability Justice and celebrates Disability Joy through visual arts, digital design, zine-making, installations, and more.
Episode 62 Relevant links mentioned: 
Jen’s website Disrupt and Resist Exhibition Critical Design Lab Disability Solidarity Statement An Anthology of Blackness: The State of Black Design Disability Justice Culture Club  Anti-Ableist Art Educator Manifesto Homie House Press  Disability Visibility Krip Hop Nation Sins Invalid  Jen's Zine Workshops Black Feminist Future Collective