The Move To Include Podcast

WXXI

The Move to Include Podcast puts the voices of people with disabilities at the center of the conversation about inclusion, and how they became Self Advocates in the pursuit of autonomy, equality, and independence. The podcast dives into the real experiences of people with disabilities navigating systems that weren’t designed with them in mind, like the workforce, healthcare access, even relationships. Through candid interviews with host Noelle Evans, self-advocates share the moments that shaped them, and the changes they’re working toward in their own lives and communities. The Move to Include Podcast is designed for people with disabilities, caregivers, allies, and anyone who wants to better understand disability rights and the power of speaking up. Move to Include is a partnership between WXXI and The Golisano Foundation that promotes disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media. Additional support is provided by Mary Cariola Center and the URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.

Episodes

  1. Jun 8

    No Place Like Home: Why accessible housing is critical for people with disabilities

    It took Mike Patterson 15 years after he was paralyzed by gun violence to learn the power of sharing his story. Now, he runs a program that supports others.  In his work and in his life, Mike has seen how housing can be one of the biggest challenges people face. Accessible units are scarce, and affordable options are limited. And without stable housing, everything else becomes harder: managing your health, finding a job, even maintaining your mental well-being.  In this conversation, Mike talks about how he has used his own experience to inform how he helps others. He also addresses how stigma against those paralyzed by gun violence can affect their access to resources. This episode explores:  Discovering self-advocacy 15 years after becoming paralyzed  Stigma against gun violence survivors from within the healthcare system  Rehab, relief & restoration: Adjusting to life after paralysis  “Accessibility isn’t just dignity, it’s economic participation”  Barriers to accessible housing: Wait lists, location & affordability  Structural inequalities that contribute to gun violence in BIPOC communities  Move To Include is a national partnership of WXXI and the Golisano Foundation, to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media.  Additional support for the Move to Include Podcast is provided by Mary Cariola Center and the URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.  This is the final episode of this season of the Move to Include Podcast.

    34 min

  2. May 11

    When Healthcare Fails Disabled Bodies: Navigating access, advocacy, and ableism

    Jeiri Flores learned early on that being understood in a doctor’s office isn’t guaranteed. As a woman with cerebral palsy, her healthcare experience has meant constantly navigating Medicaid limits, confusing private insurance, and providers who don’t have experience with disabled bodies. In this conversation, Jeiri shares her journey and what she learned by speaking up for herself, over and over. She talks about advocating for your needs, and why telling your story matters. This episode explores:  How translating for her mother in a doctor's office led to advocacy The medical cliff and the reality of aging out of pediatric care Encountering ableism in the medical system Obstacles to accessing women’s health care Move To Include is a national partnership of WXXI and the Golisano Foundation, to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media.Additional support for the Move to Include Podcast is provided by Mary Cariola Center and the URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.New episodes drop monthly. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    34 min

  3. Apr 13

    Learning to Advocate: What disability teaches us about education from kindergarten to college

    Before Conan Gillis was a mathematician or an advocate, he was an eight‑year‑old kid who just wanted to use his local library. But the aisles weren’t wide enough for his wheelchair, and the building simply wasn’t designed with him in mind.That experience – and many others like it – sparked a lifelong practice of self‑advocacy, supported by his family.Today, Conan is a PhD candidate who has navigated a wide range of educational systems, from K through twelve classrooms with formal support plans to the much more self‑directed world of higher education.Along the way, those experiences shaped how he understands disability: not as a problem of individuals, but as a reflection of the environments and systems we build.This episode explores: Learning self‑advocacy at a young age Transitioning from structured support to higher education The role of family in navigating disability and education Disability as an environmental and systemic issue Move To Include is a national partnership of WXXI and the Golisano Foundation, to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media.Additional support for the Move to Include Podcast is provided by Mary Cariola Center and the URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.New episodes drop monthly. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    25 min

  4. Mar 9

    Disability Justice & Emergency Preparedness: Anita Cameron on activism, CERT, and the ADA

    Disability justice activist Anita Cameron has spent decades organizing for voting rights, racial equity, transportation access, and community integration for people with disabilities. She’s also known for her civil disobedience, including being arrested after the 1990 Capitol Crawl while pushing for passage of the ADA.  Beyond advocacy, Anita has been a leader in emergency preparedness. Since joining CERT in 2004, she has responded to floods, fires, and other disasters while training more people with disabilities to become first responders and community supports.  In this episode, Anita shares why disaster preparedness is vital, how activism has shaped her life, and why leadership in emergency response must include the disability community.  This episode explores:  Discovering CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)  Why disaster preparedness is crucial for people with disabilities  The courage and strategy behind civil disobedience  “We Were There Too Project”  Move To Include is a national partnership of WXXI and the Golisano Foundation, to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media.  Additional support for the Move to Include Podcast is provided by Mary Cariola Center and the URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.  New episodes drop monthly. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    28 min

  5. Feb 9

    Ready to Work: How disability self-advocacy builds independence in the job force

    Self-advocate Maggie McCrumb knows she’s capable of working, but there are barriers to finding  job. From transportation and workplace attitudes to managing anxiety and advocating for accommodations, Maggie shares what it really takes to pursue employment as a person with a disability. In this episode of The Move To Include Podcast, Maggie reflects on her journey through transition programs, job coaching, and self-advocacy, and why work is important to her and gives her a sense of independence. She’s joined by Charis Happ, Director of Transition Services at The Arc of Monroe, who explains how employment supports work, why “everyone is ready to work,” and how small accommodations can make a big difference. This episode explores: Maggie’s path to self-advocacy and planning for independence How supportive services like job coaching and community habilitation work Managing real challenges on the job and navigating misconceptions about disabilities Practical tips for finding the right job fit and advocating for accommodations Hear more about Maggie's college journey on WXXI’s podcast Exited, in the episode "Leaving college with lots of benefits — but no degree." Move To Include is a national partnership of WXXI and the Golisano Foundation, to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media. Additional support for the Move to Include Podcast is provided by Mary Cariola Center and the URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities. New episodes drop monthly. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    26 min

  6. Jan 12

    The Marriage Penalty: How the disability community is penalized for love

    In this episode of Move to Include, host Noelle Evans dives into the “marriage penalty.” Under current federal benefits rules, getting married can mean losing vital income, Medicaid coverage, or life-sustaining supports.   First, self-advocate BJ Stasio shares how learning about the marriage penalty sparked a lifetime of activism, and why self-advocacy is about dignity, choice, and pushing back against injustice.   Then, disability rights attorney Stephanie Woodward explains the legal realities behind the policy, how it traps people in poverty or unsafe relationships, and what real marriage equality would require.   This episode explores:   What the “marriage penalty” is, and how it works   The role of self-advocacy in disability rights   Why marriage equality still isn’t equal for disabled people   What policy changes could make a real difference   Move To Include is a national partnership of WXXI and the Golisano Foundation, to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media.  Additional support for the Move to Include Podcast is provided by Mary Cariola Center and the URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.  New episodes drop monthly. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    37 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    Coming Soon: The Move To Include Podcast

    The Move To Include Podcast is a series where people with disabilities lead conversations about self-advocacy, disability rights, and everyday life. Over the course of six episodes, host Noelle Evans sits down with Self Advocates to talk about the issues they care about. Through personal stories and expert insight, the series explores how people navigate school, the workforce, healthcare access, even relationships, all while speaking up for themselves and advocating for their needs and rights.  Subscribe to the Move To Include Podcast to follow along, and get the latest episodes in your feed every month. Our first episode drops January 12, 2026. -- Move to Include is a national partnership of WXXI and the Golisano Foundation, to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media. More information about self-advocacy on our website, MoveToInclude.org. -- Proud Support for the Move To Include Podcast comes from: Mary Cariola Center URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities -- Find more podcasts from WXXI on our news website.

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Move to Include Podcast puts the voices of people with disabilities at the center of the conversation about inclusion, and how they became Self Advocates in the pursuit of autonomy, equality, and independence. The podcast dives into the real experiences of people with disabilities navigating systems that weren’t designed with them in mind, like the workforce, healthcare access, even relationships. Through candid interviews with host Noelle Evans, self-advocates share the moments that shaped them, and the changes they’re working toward in their own lives and communities. The Move to Include Podcast is designed for people with disabilities, caregivers, allies, and anyone who wants to better understand disability rights and the power of speaking up. Move to Include is a partnership between WXXI and The Golisano Foundation that promotes disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media. Additional support is provided by Mary Cariola Center and the URMC Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.

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