July 29, 2025 • 11 mins
As Disability Pride month wraps up, we highlight some disability rights organizations.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hey, Sammy and Samantha, I welcome stuff. I never told
you a production if I hurried you.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
And as we wrap up Disability Pride Month, we wanted
to highlight a few three of amazing organizations that are
fighting for equal rights and protections for the disabled communities. Again,
as I said, there's many, many, many, many many organizations
out there, I will say, and listeners, this may be
an assignment I'm sending to you because we always love
(00:40):
your assistance. I don't trust all of these sites because
some of them are government backed, and not that I'm
trying to put on my like conspiracy theory hat or anything,
but we also know sometimes it's not in the best
interest of the actual communities that they're saying they're advocating
for more so, especially today, just putting a name out
(01:01):
there to pretend like they're doing some solutions. So it
was kind of a little harder to navigate because all
of my searches were overwhelmed by government backed organizations instead
of disabled lad organizations, which is what we want to
look for. We want people who are in this community
to lead these types of organizations, so or people who
(01:22):
are at least family members with you know, like they
understand the needs. So with all of that, we do
have a few. But if you have an organization that
you think we really should shout out, please send that
to us, because you know we love it. If you
have stories or actual experiences with them, please let us
know because we do want to highlight those. We want
to do things in good faith and the there's a
(01:43):
lot of misinformation, we know this, and disinformation when it
comes to conversations about disability in itself. So that's the
big caveat at the beginning. But with that, we are
talking about several different organizations and we're starting with adapt
Or the American Disabled or Attended Program today. The organization
is located in thirty different states, so they have different
(02:05):
chapters throughout the US. The organization is all about civil
disobedience and I think we need to see more of
that in general. You know, good trouble and here you
know in Georgia we talk about good trouble John Lewis,
and he really made sure we understood what that was,
and I feel like this organization does that. Here's a
(02:25):
bit of information from their site adapt dot org. They
say many might think it's a tragedy to acquire or
be diagnosed with a disability. It isn't. The tragedy is
when we are denied our civil rights, our dignity, and
our right to choice. This is what fuels our righteous efforts.
So we're going to go deeper into those because they
have a wonderful statement page, and I'm only taking small
(02:46):
excerpts from that because I think they really do a
great job in writing out exactly what the point of
their organization is, because I know, like when we talk
about civil disobedience, there's a lot of conversation, there's a
lot of misinformation in that as well, and talk about
how protesting is oftentimes demonized as riots. We know if
(03:11):
you know, you know, if you've been with us, if
you've seen any of the protests, and who is able
to be protected and who isn't, and who is arrested
and who isn't. We know. So they do a great
job in talking about it. So we're going to read
a little bit more. So they said in adapt we
strive to promote this energy and this love. Finding the
imperfect balance between love and rage is not easy. Making
(03:33):
sure that space is accessible for everyone in all sense
of the word isn't easy. Challenging ourselves to be so
radically inclusive isn't always easy. It takes work to make
space for people who we don't yet know, or for
the people whose experience we might not yet think of
clearly identifying as disabled. It is, however, necessary. Again, in
(03:54):
the information, they speak of pushing beyond tolerance, but being
able to fully exist without any caveats or asterisks, and
with that being able to use passion and rage and
balance with love. So they really do step into like,
we don't care about just tolerating us, just seeing us
is not humanity, And I think it's such a great statement.
So they go on in their sight, there's room in
(04:16):
our movement for abilities and disabilities apparent and hidden, of
all types. We're unafraid to look in the mirror and
reflect on what we need to do better always, and
that our efforts are part of a process of growing, emerging,
becoming more just, but that justice requires listening, growing, learning together.
In adapt, we remember I fall in heroes and honor
(04:37):
the adapt gods who bring us back home from an
action safely and with success, so we can do it
again in six months and adapt. We were pissed off
and passionate. We're also conscious of a need to do
better always and that our efforts will not always result
in what we strive for, but yet we will always
persist towards perfection anyway. So again, I think that's a
(04:58):
beautiful way of putting the knees. Because they've done things nicely,
it's time to evoke more. And we know we've talked
about crypt camp and the history behind all of those
protests as well, and then the more recent protests that
seem nice, but that doesn't always get attention, and unfortunately
(05:21):
that means they get dismissed. So I love what they're doing.
They have a video and I believe they do have
a screen and a documentary of what their works, and
they talk about the fact that it might get rowdy.
It's kind of how they begin like, yeah, no, we're
going to cause a disturbance. We want you to see
us and you can't ignore us, and we need you
to understand we're not dehuman children. We are adults with
rage but also love. So it is quite beautiful. So
(05:44):
go check out adapt and yes, they're different chapters throughout
the state, so if you wanted to get involved. Next,
we have disability Belongs and this from their website. They say,
(06:04):
Disability Belongs is a diverse, disability led nonprofit that works
to create systemic change in how society views and values
people with disabilities, and that advances policies and practices that
empower people with disabilities to have a better future. Our
mission is to drive cultural and policy change to ensure
our full representation and influence creating a more accessible, equitable,
(06:26):
and inclusive society. So they have done so much and
they are led by president and CEO of Aerial SIMS
who actually had been a CEO I think the president
or CEO of another organization, the ARC, which has a
whole history behind that, and so they have been working
with them. And for Aerial SIMS, they talk about how
(06:46):
not only are they a part of the disability community,
they're also part of the LGBTQIA plus community. So the
intersections and the needs to be able to represent all
these different communities is so important for them. And again
they work through different components such as media and entertainment.
They do a work to bring in true representation and
(07:07):
consulting to make sure they're being inclusive as well as
working to educate on a broader level through civic engagement
as well as teaching and allowing for disabled leaders to
help bring the necessary changes that need to be made
in the workforce. So they have a lot of things happening,
but one of the big things where representation and consultation,
which I think is really really important. We've talked about
this because we get the same five movies recommended to us,
(07:29):
were saying five books instead of the understanding that there's
so many more out there, with so much bigger stories
to celebrate that aren't often heard or even considered, so
we need more of that representation. And then finally, again
one of the few. We know there's many, many, many,
many many organizations, but we wanted to talk about one
(07:51):
organization that actually is focusing on marriage equality because you know,
it's been a major theme for us this year and
talking about this even more, and we talked about it
last year, but we're like, yes, we've got to focus
more and more on this. And that organization is DREADIF
or Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. So they started
out in nineteen seventy nine, and here's a bit from
(08:12):
their site. Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund founded in
nineteen seventy nine, is a leading national civil rights law
and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents
who have children with disabilities. So again, they're also a
multi level nonprofit that works to change the discriminatory policies
and laws and train and educate people with disabilities as
(08:34):
well as their families. They work with companies and firms
to provide accessible spaces and change procedures in the workplaces,
and so much more. But the thing that caught our
attention is their toolkit, which is they titled it Advancing
Marriage Equality, and in it they have information about the
problems under the conversation about marriage and disability rights and
access to funds and assistance. So here's a little bit
(08:56):
from their site, a dreadf dot org. As of Dicember,
between tween the three over eight million Americans rely on
federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income or SSI or
Disabled Adult Child DAC that for their healthcare and to
meet other basic needs. Most are people with disabilities. Unfortunately,
unfair and outdated federal laws and policies can trip people
(09:19):
of these crucial benefits if they get married. DREDAV is
working alongside organizations and advocates across the country to protect
the freedom of people with disabilities to marry and form
families with their chosen partners. So if you go onto
their website dreadaf dot org slash Marriage Dash Equality Dash Toolkit,
they provide these detailed information about what is at risk,
(09:42):
all the different policies that need to be changed, are outdated,
They see the needs and even how to move forward.
They also have an entire section on what we can
do to take action, including social media callouts like hashtags
and then contacting members of Congress, and then they even
go on a state level about what you should do
(10:02):
in your state, So you definitely need to go check
out again dreadov dr df dot org slash Marriage Dash
Equality Dash Toolkit. They even have simple letters that you
can actually just copy and paste, and they tell you
how to do that and then help you to connect
with your Congress people in order to get this done again. Obviously,
we are all about action and we want to be
(10:23):
a part of that community that is making change for
everyone and understanding that marriage equality means everyone.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Yes, yes, yes, yes, Well listeners, as we asked at
the top, if you have any any experiences with any
of these organizations or any organization that you think we
should look into and call out. Let us know. You
can email us at Hello, at stuff Whenever Told You
dot com. You can also find us on Blue Sky
at mossa podcast or on Instagram and TikTok at stuff
(10:52):
I've Never Told You Cross on YouTube, and we have
a book you can get you get Earbooks. Thanks as
always to our super produced christenior Executive Prist Maya and
your contributor Joe. Thank you and thanks to you for listening.
Steffan never told Me, as didiction of my Heart Radio.
For more podcasts from my Heart Radio, you can check
out the heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you
listen to your favorite shows,
Hey, Sammy and Samantha, I welcome stuff. I never told
you a production if I hurried you.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
And as we wrap up Disability Pride Month, we wanted
to highlight a few three of amazing organizations that are
fighting for equal rights and protections for the disabled communities. Again,
as I said, there's many, many, many, many many organizations
out there, I will say, and listeners, this may be
an assignment I'm sending to you because we always love
(00:40):
your assistance. I don't trust all of these sites because
some of them are government backed, and not that I'm
trying to put on my like conspiracy theory hat or anything,
but we also know sometimes it's not in the best
interest of the actual communities that they're saying they're advocating
for more so, especially today, just putting a name out
(01:01):
there to pretend like they're doing some solutions. So it
was kind of a little harder to navigate because all
of my searches were overwhelmed by government backed organizations instead
of disabled lad organizations, which is what we want to
look for. We want people who are in this community
to lead these types of organizations, so or people who
(01:22):
are at least family members with you know, like they
understand the needs. So with all of that, we do
have a few. But if you have an organization that
you think we really should shout out, please send that
to us, because you know we love it. If you
have stories or actual experiences with them, please let us
know because we do want to highlight those. We want
to do things in good faith and the there's a
(01:43):
lot of misinformation, we know this, and disinformation when it
comes to conversations about disability in itself. So that's the
big caveat at the beginning. But with that, we are
talking about several different organizations and we're starting with adapt
Or the American Disabled or Attended Program today. The organization
is located in thirty different states, so they have different
(02:05):
chapters throughout the US. The organization is all about civil
disobedience and I think we need to see more of
that in general. You know, good trouble and here you
know in Georgia we talk about good trouble John Lewis,
and he really made sure we understood what that was,
and I feel like this organization does that. Here's a
(02:25):
bit of information from their site adapt dot org. They
say many might think it's a tragedy to acquire or
be diagnosed with a disability. It isn't. The tragedy is
when we are denied our civil rights, our dignity, and
our right to choice. This is what fuels our righteous efforts.
So we're going to go deeper into those because they
have a wonderful statement page, and I'm only taking small
(02:46):
excerpts from that because I think they really do a
great job in writing out exactly what the point of
their organization is, because I know, like when we talk
about civil disobedience, there's a lot of conversation, there's a
lot of misinformation in that as well, and talk about
how protesting is oftentimes demonized as riots. We know if
(03:11):
you know, you know, if you've been with us, if
you've seen any of the protests, and who is able
to be protected and who isn't, and who is arrested
and who isn't. We know. So they do a great
job in talking about it. So we're going to read
a little bit more. So they said in adapt we
strive to promote this energy and this love. Finding the
imperfect balance between love and rage is not easy. Making
(03:33):
sure that space is accessible for everyone in all sense
of the word isn't easy. Challenging ourselves to be so
radically inclusive isn't always easy. It takes work to make
space for people who we don't yet know, or for
the people whose experience we might not yet think of
clearly identifying as disabled. It is, however, necessary. Again, in
(03:54):
the information, they speak of pushing beyond tolerance, but being
able to fully exist without any caveats or asterisks, and
with that being able to use passion and rage and
balance with love. So they really do step into like,
we don't care about just tolerating us, just seeing us
is not humanity, And I think it's such a great statement.
So they go on in their sight, there's room in
(04:16):
our movement for abilities and disabilities apparent and hidden, of
all types. We're unafraid to look in the mirror and
reflect on what we need to do better always, and
that our efforts are part of a process of growing, emerging,
becoming more just, but that justice requires listening, growing, learning together.
In adapt, we remember I fall in heroes and honor
(04:37):
the adapt gods who bring us back home from an
action safely and with success, so we can do it
again in six months and adapt. We were pissed off
and passionate. We're also conscious of a need to do
better always and that our efforts will not always result
in what we strive for, but yet we will always
persist towards perfection anyway. So again, I think that's a
(04:58):
beautiful way of putting the knees. Because they've done things nicely,
it's time to evoke more. And we know we've talked
about crypt camp and the history behind all of those
protests as well, and then the more recent protests that
seem nice, but that doesn't always get attention, and unfortunately
(05:21):
that means they get dismissed. So I love what they're doing.
They have a video and I believe they do have
a screen and a documentary of what their works, and
they talk about the fact that it might get rowdy.
It's kind of how they begin like, yeah, no, we're
going to cause a disturbance. We want you to see
us and you can't ignore us, and we need you
to understand we're not dehuman children. We are adults with
rage but also love. So it is quite beautiful. So
(05:44):
go check out adapt and yes, they're different chapters throughout
the state, so if you wanted to get involved. Next,
we have disability Belongs and this from their website. They say,
(06:04):
Disability Belongs is a diverse, disability led nonprofit that works
to create systemic change in how society views and values
people with disabilities, and that advances policies and practices that
empower people with disabilities to have a better future. Our
mission is to drive cultural and policy change to ensure
our full representation and influence creating a more accessible, equitable,
(06:26):
and inclusive society. So they have done so much and
they are led by president and CEO of Aerial SIMS
who actually had been a CEO I think the president
or CEO of another organization, the ARC, which has a
whole history behind that, and so they have been working
with them. And for Aerial SIMS, they talk about how
(06:46):
not only are they a part of the disability community,
they're also part of the LGBTQIA plus community. So the
intersections and the needs to be able to represent all
these different communities is so important for them. And again
they work through different components such as media and entertainment.
They do a work to bring in true representation and
(07:07):
consulting to make sure they're being inclusive as well as
working to educate on a broader level through civic engagement
as well as teaching and allowing for disabled leaders to
help bring the necessary changes that need to be made
in the workforce. So they have a lot of things happening,
but one of the big things where representation and consultation,
which I think is really really important. We've talked about
this because we get the same five movies recommended to us,
(07:29):
were saying five books instead of the understanding that there's
so many more out there, with so much bigger stories
to celebrate that aren't often heard or even considered, so
we need more of that representation. And then finally, again
one of the few. We know there's many, many, many,
many many organizations, but we wanted to talk about one
(07:51):
organization that actually is focusing on marriage equality because you know,
it's been a major theme for us this year and
talking about this even more, and we talked about it
last year, but we're like, yes, we've got to focus
more and more on this. And that organization is DREADIF
or Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. So they started
out in nineteen seventy nine, and here's a bit from
(08:12):
their site. Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund founded in
nineteen seventy nine, is a leading national civil rights law
and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents
who have children with disabilities. So again, they're also a
multi level nonprofit that works to change the discriminatory policies
and laws and train and educate people with disabilities as
(08:34):
well as their families. They work with companies and firms
to provide accessible spaces and change procedures in the workplaces,
and so much more. But the thing that caught our
attention is their toolkit, which is they titled it Advancing
Marriage Equality, and in it they have information about the
problems under the conversation about marriage and disability rights and
access to funds and assistance. So here's a little bit
(08:56):
from their site, a dreadf dot org. As of Dicember,
between tween the three over eight million Americans rely on
federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income or SSI or
Disabled Adult Child DAC that for their healthcare and to
meet other basic needs. Most are people with disabilities. Unfortunately,
unfair and outdated federal laws and policies can trip people
(09:19):
of these crucial benefits if they get married. DREDAV is
working alongside organizations and advocates across the country to protect
the freedom of people with disabilities to marry and form
families with their chosen partners. So if you go onto
their website dreadaf dot org slash Marriage Dash Equality Dash Toolkit,
they provide these detailed information about what is at risk,
(09:42):
all the different policies that need to be changed, are outdated,
They see the needs and even how to move forward.
They also have an entire section on what we can
do to take action, including social media callouts like hashtags
and then contacting members of Congress, and then they even
go on a state level about what you should do
(10:02):
in your state, So you definitely need to go check
out again dreadov dr df dot org slash Marriage Dash
Equality Dash Toolkit. They even have simple letters that you
can actually just copy and paste, and they tell you
how to do that and then help you to connect
with your Congress people in order to get this done again. Obviously,
we are all about action and we want to be
(10:23):
a part of that community that is making change for
everyone and understanding that marriage equality means everyone.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Yes, yes, yes, yes, Well listeners, as we asked at
the top, if you have any any experiences with any
of these organizations or any organization that you think we
should look into and call out. Let us know. You
can email us at Hello, at stuff Whenever Told You
dot com. You can also find us on Blue Sky
at mossa podcast or on Instagram and TikTok at stuff
(10:52):
I've Never Told You Cross on YouTube, and we have
a book you can get you get Earbooks. Thanks as
always to our super produced christenior Executive Prist Maya and
your contributor Joe. Thank you and thanks to you for listening.
Steffan never told Me, as didiction of my Heart Radio.
For more podcasts from my Heart Radio, you can check
out the heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you
listen to your favorite shows,
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