Disability and Power: Current Issues in the Disability Rights Movement

Disability Rights Podcasts

Right now, decisions are being made in Washington and in every statehouse that will determine whether people with disabilities live in their own communities or get pushed into institutions. Most Americans have no idea it's happening. Disability and Power is here to change that. Each episode, host Matt Shedd sits down with Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living and a veteran of five decades in the disability rights movement, to take on one legislative fight or real-world obstacle facing people with disabilities: Medicaid cuts, the attendant care crisis, a

Episodes

  1. Jul 21

    How Federal Budget Cuts Force People with Disabilities into Nursing Homes | Disability & Power

    In this episode, NCIL Executive Director Theo Braddy joins Matt Shedd to trace a quiet but accelerating shift back toward institutionalization, and lay out who's affected, why it's happening now, and what people can do about it.THE OVERVIEW0:00 – Welcome Theo Braddy & audiobook update 0:30 – The attendant care crisis and the "big ugly bill" 1:10 – We can't fix what we refuse to defineMISCONCEPTIONS 3:40 – Block grants leave HCBS up to the states 5:50 – Who pays when people are institutionalized? 6:50 – Executive orders and Texas v. Kennedy 8:50 – Pennsylvania's unequal caregiver rate increases 10:20 – Young people are going into nursing homesTHE REAL STORY 12:50 – State budgets cut marginalized people first 15:50 – Why federal enforcement mattersWHAT PEOPLE CAN DO 20:20 – What you can do: NCIL, CILs, and SILCs 21:50 – Rollbacks: Section 504 rules and air travel 25:30 – Closing: the urgency is highLinksNCIL Advocacy & Action Centerhttps://ncil.org/advocacy-action/ Theo Braddy: "We Cannot Fix What We Refuse to Define" (the article discussed)https://ncil.org/news/executive-direc... From Shack to White House: A Memoir of Four Lives — Theo's book https://www.amazon.com/Shack-White-Ho... Protect IL Fund (NCIL)https://ncil.org/donate/protectil/ Texas v. Kennedy case updatehttps://www.disabilitybelongs.org/202... AAPDhttps://www.aapd.com/

  2. 12/10/2025

    From Shack to the White House: Theo Braddy on Four Lives, Ableism, and the Fight for Independent Living

    n this episode of Disability Rights Now, host Matt Shedd talks with National Council on Independent Living director Theo Braddy about his new memoir, From Shack to the White House: A Memoir of Four Lives. Theo traces his journey from growing up poor in the deep South, to acquiring a spinal cord injury at 15, to surviving a nursing home, becoming a family and community leader, and ultimately serving as a national voice for disability rights and independent living. He reflects on internalized ableism, the trauma of institutionalization, the power of knowledge, and what it meant to hear President Joe Biden call him “a man of great courage.” From Shack to the White House: A Memoir of Four Lives is available as an ebook through many platforms: https://books2read.com/fromshacktowhitehouse You can order on Amazon as well: https://www.amazon.com/Shack-White-House-Memoir-Lives-ebook/dp/B0G3T182Q2 If you want help creating a podcast for disability rights or any other type of organization, reach out to matt@disabilityrightspodcasts.org or visit https://www.disabilityrightspodcasts.com

    From Shack to the White House: Theo Braddy on Four Lives, Ableism, and the Fight for Independent Living

  3. 07/07/2025

    Keri Gray on Intersectional Leadership in the Disability Justice Movement

    In this episode of Disability Rights Now, we speak with Keri Gray—speaker, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker at this year’s NCIL Conference. Keri shares her perspective on the intersection of race and disability, the need for sustained investment in Black disabled leadership, and the importance of centering lived experience in systems change. We discuss what it takes to build truly inclusive spaces—and why that work must be led by the people most affected. Through her consulting, speaking, and coalition-building, Keri is creating platforms that elevate and empower diverse disabled voices across the country. You can learn more about Keri’s work at ignitebykerigray.com and see all the other things she’s up to on https://linktr.ee/kerigraygroup. If you're interested in launching a podcast for your disability advocacy organization, visit DisabilityRightsPodcasts.org or reach out to Matt Shedd on LinkedIn.

    Keri Gray on Intersectional Leadership in the Disability Justice Movement

  4. 07/07/2025

    Keely Cat-Wells on Disability Inclusion: Leveraging Tech to Create a New Talent Economy

    In this episode of Disability Rights Now, we speak with Keely Cat-Wells—entrepreneur, advocate, and keynote speaker at this year’s NCIL Conference. Keely shares how she’s using technology to build more inclusive hiring pipelines, reshape outdated systems, and create new pathways to employment for people with disabilities. We talk about authentic representation, accessibility in media and business, and what it takes to create a truly inclusive talent economy. You can learn more about Keely’s work at KeelyCatWells.com and by visiting her production company at https://www.makingspacemedia.com. Disability Rights Today is produced by DisabilityRightsPodcasts.org, a service that helps advocacy organizations create story-driven podcasts and original web content. To learn more, visit the site or find Matt Shedd on LinkedIn.

    Keely Cat-Wells on Disability Inclusion: Leveraging Tech to Create a New Talent Economy

  5. 07/05/2025

    Theo Braddy on the Urgent Political Threats to Disability Rights

    In this special NCIL Conference preview episode, we talk with Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), about the urgent threats facing disability rights in today’s political climate—and how the independent living movement can respond. Theo shares his vision for the future of NCIL, what it means to lead with lived experience, and why building cross-movement solidarity is essential in this moment. We also discuss the upcoming NCIL Conference, happening July 21–24, 2025, and what attendees can expect as the organization prepares for its next chapter. This conversation offers a candid look at national advocacy, emerging challenges, and the leadership needed to keep disability rights moving forward. Disability Rights Today is produced by DisabilityRightsPodcasts.org, a podcast production service for disability advocates, Centers for Independent Living, and Statewide Independent Living Councils. To learn more or launch a podcast for your organization, visit DisabilityRightsPodcasts.org or reach out to host Matt Shedd on LinkedIn.

    Theo Braddy on the Urgent Political Threats to Disability Rights
  • 5 Episodes

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About

Right now, decisions are being made in Washington and in every statehouse that will determine whether people with disabilities live in their own communities or get pushed into institutions. Most Americans have no idea it's happening. Disability and Power is here to change that. Each episode, host Matt Shedd sits down with Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living and a veteran of five decades in the disability rights movement, to take on one legislative fight or real-world obstacle facing people with disabilities: Medicaid cuts, the attendant care crisis, a

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