KPFA - Pushing Limits

KPFA
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A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing insight into the grassroots disability movement to the general public.  By and About People with Disabilities!

  1. 2d ago

    SMA Voices, Disability Rights – Pushing Limits – August 14, 2026

    The current state of disability rights wouldn’t be what it is without the rich history and the strong individuals who pushed the movement forward. But what about the future? Who is propelling us into the next era of disability rights?   Ryan Manriquez On this week’s program, Dominick Trevethan attempts to answer that question by interviewing two of his peers. His guests, Ryan Manriquez and Sarah Bellish, both live with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, and they want more from our current systems. Listen in as they discuss the changes they hope to see in the coming years and outline how to fight for the future we want.   Ryan Manriquez is a disability justice advocate, a graduate of UC Davis and UC Berkeley, and, as he puts it, a “transit nerd.” Working in the Bay Area, he hopes to use his lived experience as a person with a disability to push for more accessible housing, public transportation, and government-funded medical research.   Sarah Bellish is the Senior Manager of Advocacy at Cure SMA, where she works in public policy to help push vital disability legislation through the doors of Congress. Issues important to her include increasing the current SSI Asset Limit, making it safer for those with disabilities to fly, and improving the current state of accessible public transportation.   We’ve come this far. So, where do we go next? Find out on Pushing Limits!   This program was hosted and produced by Dominick Trevethan. Editing by Dominick Trevethan and Denny Daughters.   Relevant Resources:   Cure SMA   Cure SMA Advocacy  How to become a Cure SMA Advocate  Sarah Bellish The post SMA Voices, Disability Rights – Pushing Limits – August 14, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

  2. Aug 7

    Disability in Song: Revisiting Sing Out! – Pushing Limits – August 7, 2026

    In 1981, longtime disability activist Jean Stewart guest edited a special issue of the legendary folk music magazine Sing Out!, featuring folk musicians and songwriters whose work explored disability themes. Though Sing Out! is no longer in publication, Jean remains a cherished friend of Pushing Limits and continues her advocacy from her home in El Sobrante. This week, Pushing Limits revisits that landmark 1981 issue by spotlighting two prominent musicians it featured: Doc Watson and Django Reinhardt. Both were extraordinary guitarists who lived with distinct disabilities, came from different continents, and mastered different musical genres. Enjoy part of your Friday afternoon with Pushing Limits, produced and hosted by Eddie Ytuarte. For a full program transcription, click here The post Disability in Song: Revisiting Sing Out! – Pushing Limits – August 7, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

  3. Jul 31

    The History of Adaptive Technology for the Blind (Part 1) – Pushing Limits – July 31, 2026

    What did it take for blind people to gain access to computers before modern day screen readers and smartphones? Join Denny Daughters as he talks with Mike Tanner, a blind educator who teaches blind and visually impaired students in Southern California, about the evolution of adaptive technology for the blind.  From the first scanning and reading machines of the 1970s to groundbreaking devices like the Apple IIe, VersaBraille, and early PCs, they explore the innovations that opened the door to education, employment, and independence.  This first installment traces the history of adaptive technology from the early 1970s through about 1990. It’s the beginning of a series exploring the evolution of technology that has transformed life for blind people.  This program is hosted, produced, and edited by Denny Daughters.  For a full program transcription, click here The post The History of Adaptive Technology for the Blind (Part 1) – Pushing Limits – July 31, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

  4. Jul 17

    Disability, Violence & Race – Pushing Limits – July 17, 2026

    “Sexual violence is not just an issue within the disability community — it’s a defining issue.”   Margaux Sorenson Margaux Sorenson     Nancy Williams-Nettles “Historically the intersectionality of disability and race was overlooked by [both] the civil rights and disability movements.” Nancy Williams-Nettles   What brings them to this understanding and what can we do in response? Hear presentations from both these women on this program. Challenging, stimulating information from last year’s “Disability Strong” conference.   This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton, voiced by Adrienne Lauby and edited by Adrienne Lauby & Denny Daughters.  Conference audio was provided by Jen Chassmam-Brown.   You can access all the conference presentations HERE. For a full transcription of this program, click here   ANNOUNCEMENTS Celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Friday, July 24th @1pm on Zoom.  Open Mic. THE ORGANIZERS ARE LOOKING FOR DANCERS, MUSICIANS, POETS, AND OTHER PEOPLE TO PERFORM. THE FIRST 30 PEOPLE WHO SIGN UP WILL RECEIVE A $30 DOLLAR DOORDASH GIFT CARD!! To sign up and to request accommodations, e-mail jakeoaktown@gmail.com ———————————- An Effort to Increase Connection Between People with Disabilities and Able-Bodied People Friday, July 31st @ 1 pm on zoom  Disabled people will be able to ask able-bodied people how they relate to us and how they view their own identities. The group will explore questions like: “When did you know you didn’t have a disability?” “Why don’t certain people without disabilities ask people with speech disabilities to repeat themselves?” “Do you feel a connection to others without disabilities?” “How does it feel to walk/drive a car/be understood by strangers?” Attendance is limited to 40 people. To sign up and to request accommodations please email jakeoaktown@gmail.com. The post Disability, Violence & Race – Pushing Limits – July 17, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

  5. Jul 10

    The Art of Accessible Editing – Pushing Limits – July 10, 2026

    How do you produce radio when you can’t see the screen? Or when you only have the use of a few fingers?  This week on Pushing Limits, producers Dominick Trevethan and Denny Daughters take you behind the microphone to share how they edit audio, produce radio, and overcome barriers using assistive technology and adaptive techniques.  They also discuss why authentic disability representation matters—not just in front of the microphone as guests, but behind the scenes as producers and editors.  This program was produced and edited by Denny Daughters and Dominick Trevethan. It is hosted by Dominick Trevethan.  Relevant Resources:  Here’s the app Dominick uses to control his laptop: https://apps.apple.com/app/id629019487 Here’s the screen reader Denny uses: https://www.nvaccess.org/ For a full program transcription, click here The post The Art of Accessible Editing – Pushing Limits – July 10, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

  6. Jul 3

    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.”  For a full program transcription, click here The post Olmstead Under Threat – Pushing Limits – July 3, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

  7. Jun 26

    Pushing Limits – Disability In MAGA Land – June, 2026

    Jo, who lives with chronic illness, wears the ‘Please Offer Me a Seat’ badge and sunflower lanyard on public transport.  If you’re wondering through the Trump fog, we have some help for you.  There are so many problems, so many alarms, so many changes. . . how can anyone take it all in and get out the front door in the morning. So, today, we bring you key stories of disability in MAGA Land.  We’ve sorted through the headlines, checked for overlooked news, and found the disability context you need to make sense of it all. Click here for the Transcript These are the stories in this episode, with links to our sources: Gaza – Disabled Arabs in Israel  https://sjdr.se/articles/10.16993/sjdr.1002 Lebanon – Forgotten Victims https://www.hi-us.org/en/news/lebanon-people-with-disabilities-forgotten-victims-of-the-crisis Amputees in Gaza  https://www.hi-us.org/en/escalating-amputation-crisis-in-gaza-amid-severe-prosthetics-shortage  Haitian and Syrians Sent Home Leaving Nursing Homes in Crisis Disability Moved from Education Dept. https://www.the74million.org/article/splitting-up-special-ed-and-civil-rights-will-dilute-services-for-students-experts-say/ https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/06/rfk-jr-disability-special-education-hhs-kennedy-autism/?ref=disability-thinking-weekday.ghost.io London Badges https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/please-offer-me-a-seat https://hdsunflower.com/ https://www.bodybabble.com/p/the-politics-of-sitting-down Work Requirements – food stamps and Medi-Cal https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/why-more-snap-work-requirements-will-harm-families-and-increase-hunger Expected rise in SSI benefits https://web.charityengine.net/Default.aspx?tsid=40811 https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/24/ssi-social-security-benefits-will-rise-next-year/31698/ 8.  Olmstead Under Attack https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/06/trump-doj-memo-olmstead-psychiatric-disabilities-institutions-mental-health/?ref=disability-thinking-weekday.ghost.io https://mailchi.mp/c57f2fa9c907/alert-executive-branchs-assault-on-the-integration-mandate?ref=disability-thinking-weekday.ghost.io   These important stories were not able to fit into this episode, read the sources below for more information about them: Private Equity takes over services https://pestakeholder.org/reports/private-equity-in-intellectual-and-developmental-disability-services/ https://adawatch.org/category/disability-rights-justice-news/ Prism Reports Dreadful Conditions in Gaza https://prismreports.org/2025/12/08/gaza-disabled-palestinians-disabilities/ Caregivers with Disabilities – Adrienne https://heller.brandeis.edu/community-living-policy/research-policy/publications/titles/caregivers-w-disabilities.html https://disability-thinking-weekday.ghost.io/4-20-26-caregiving-and-a-look-back-at-winter/   Photo Credit: @presentedbyjo. https://www.bodybabble.com/p/the-politics-of-sitting-down This program produced and hosted by Eddie Ytuarte and Adrienne Lauby. The post Pushing Limits – Disability In MAGA Land – June, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

  8. Jun 19

    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.

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A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing insight into the grassroots disability movement to the general public.  By and About People with Disabilities!

Information

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

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