Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore DISCOVER Voices

This week on 'Conversations' with Dr Theo Blackmore, our podcast host Theo is joined by Dr Sarah Bell. Dr Sarah Bell is a Senior Lecturer in Health Geography at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH). Sarah is based at the University of Exeter Penryn Campus and focuses her research on the intersection between disability, social inequality and the changing natural environment. In this conversation, Theo and Sarah discuss the effects climate change has and will have, on people living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Theo is joined by Former London Olympics torch bearer, disability rights champion and social entrepreneur, Kush Kanodia. Kush has made it his mission to become a disability and rights champion, and social entrepreneur. Kush has had a monumental life journey, being a London Olympics Torch bearer in 2012 and being a key driving force for change for disabled peoples rights through transforming systems. 
He was the seminal figure in removing NHS England car parking charges, which many claim was the most impactful positive change for disabled people since the formation of the NHS. He has recognised systematic barriers and worked with Premier League Football clubs, including Chelsea, to make their stadiums more accessible for disabled people; he has worked on other high profile projects including campaigning for ULEZ fairness for disabled drivers. He also holds an honorary doctorate at Kent University in recognition of his achievements.
Kush talks to our insightful host Theo about these campaigns, how to find confidence as a disabled person and Kush's Outlook on life. Follow Kush on LinkedIn to keep updated on what he is doing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushkanodia/

This is the second part of Theo's conversation with Professor Colin Barnes, the leading figure in establishing the study of disability politics,  sociology and the social model in the UK and globally. 
Colin talks about how historically, disability was (can still be) perceived as a medical issue through the medical model, how it became politicised and the reappraisal of disability as society's failure to address disabled people's needs.
Colin argues that the whole point of what disability studies was about was using academic academic frameworks to produce research which had a purpose. For Colin, Disability Studies at Leeds is simply about putting theory policy into practice because this course is about giving you the skills to use knowledge to for the benefit of disabled people. he states ''we tried to do was get disabled people involved in discussions of disability''. Colin and others at the University put a primary focus on making the courses as accessible as possible for their students. 

Our host Theo is joined by Colin Barnes, a Professor at the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds. Colin has been involved in the UK's disabled peoples movement throughout his academic career and has produced seminal research including work on disability discrimination and the social model of disability. Colin established the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) and worked with the British Council of Organisations of Disabled People’s (BCODP’s) creating their Disability Research Unit (DRU) in the School of Sociology and Social Policy in the 90s at Leeds University.
In this episode, we hear about Prof. Colin Barnes's upbringing in the 50s and his experience with 'special schools' moving on to how he got involved in the disabled peoples' movement. 
For more information on Professor Colin Barnes: https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/sociology/staff/5/professor-colin-barnes

Theo is joined by Caitlin Gould, Founder and Director of TECgirls. They discuss the need to champion accessibility in Cornwall's growing tech industry. The two converse about the barriers disabled people face with regards to having access to technological hardware like tablets and laptops and about the Ctrl Alt Del Summit happening on the 21st February. An exciting event bringing the tech industry and local communities together to explore how innovative technology can lead the way in creating a accessible and inclusive future. 
TECgirls aims to inspire the next generation of coders, engineers, video game designers, app developers, and digital artists in Cornwall.
To find out more and book tickets for the Ctrl Alt Del_ Summit: https://www.ctrlaltdelsummit.com/
To find out more about Caitlin's non-profit organisation, Techgirls: https://www.tecgirls.co.uk/

In this latest podcast episode, Theo, our engaging host, sits down with Ju Gosling, also known as ju90. Ju is Co-Chair of the Regard, a charity campaigning for Disabled LGBTQI+ people, Artistic Director of Folk in Motion CIC and Together! 2012 CIC and is a disabled artist.
As a disabled artist, Ju specialises in digital lens-based media while exploring performance, text and sound. Steeped in the theories and traditions of the Disability Arts movement, Ju has garnered international acclaim for her work. Beyond her artistic endeavors, she serves as the Artistic Director of Folk in Motion CIC and Together! 2012 CIC, as well as a director of Bettany Press. With prestigious affiliations like being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of BAFTA Cymru.
The two discuss intersectionality and the prevalent dichotomy between LGBTQI+ organisations and disabled peoples organisations and how there should be a greater emphasis on organisations becoming more inclusive and intersectional. They also discuss the pressing issue of social exclusion among LGBTQI+ disabled people. 
Find out more about the charity Regard and their work to campaign for Disabled LGBTQI+ people here: https://regard.org.uk/
Follow Ju's latest work here: http://www.ju90.co.uk/
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Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.