A New York Fashion Week manicurist and salon owner finds herself with new professional challenges when she’s diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Her sister has seen her own career and relationships derailed by bipolar disorder. The women walk together, and some days are better than others. They share their stories in this episode of ADA at 30: Accessibility in Pittsburgh. This is a companion podcast to adapittsburgh.com, a collaboration between PublicSource and Unabridged Press.

ADA at 30: Accessibility in Pittsburgh

Sisters walk together through mental, physical disabilities

Reporter Meg St-Esprit spoke with Pittsburgh-area religious leaders and families. In this episode of ADA at 30: Accessibility in Pittsburgh, she shares what she learned with Jennifer Szweda Jordan with Unabridged Press. This is a companion podcast to adapittsburgh.com, a collaboration with PublicSource. 

How inclusive are churches and other faith communities?

Religious traditions can offer mixed messages about disability. Just like for all believers, images and words from spiritual communities can provide encouragement, purpose and belonging. But sometimes disability adds baggage — blame, confusion and exclusion. In this podcast, two men share their understanding of their physical disabilities and higher powers. And a woman talks about how bipolar disorder led to her being a confirmed atheist. They share their stories in this episode of ADA at 30: Accessibility in Pittsburgh. This is a companion podcast to adapittsburgh.com, a collaboration between PublicSource and Unabridged Press.

Body, mind and spirit: Where does disability fit?

From anti-discrimination provisions to access, the Americans with Disabilities Act represented a civil rights milestone at its enactment in 1990. We've now had 30 years to see how the act has empowered our communities and made them more inclusive. But we've also had 30 years to see where the act may have fallen short. In this episode, we’re joined by a lawyer who was 10 years into his legal career when the ADA was passed. It ushered in cases he pressed in labor and employment discrimination. Jay Hornack is now a Legal Committee member of Disability Rights Pennsylvania, a hearing officer for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and professor of disability discrimination law at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Law.

A new independence day, a new civil rights law

A shop owner wanted Damitra Penny and her wheelchair out of the store. At least Penny was in Pittsburgh, not Switzerland. Many disability advocates list Europe as one of the worst places to get around. The Pittsburgh area this podcast explores has aging infrastructure, hills aplenty and three rivers slicing up the Downtown from its shoreline ballparks to its bar district. The personal trials and public responses where the wheelchair hits the road are featured in this show. Hosts and Guests: Analysts Josie Badger, healthcare ethicist, and Alisa Grishman, disability advocate. Additional stories about the world from a wheelchair from Jon Duvall and Damitra Penny. Reporters Tony Ganzer and Jennifer Szweda Jordan, Unabridged Press. Pittsburgh and Allegheny County disability coordinators Hillary Roman and Caylin Snyder.

Inclusion Goals: Are We There Yet?

"Let the shameful wall of exclusion come tumbling down.” As the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was signed, President George H.W. Bush spoke those words. If you live long enough, you’ll develop a disability—if you don’t already have one. The 30-year-old act promises that despite that, you’ll easily cross streets, hold a job and live as independently as possible. How’s that working for us? This five-part podcast brings Pittsburgh-area people with disabilities finding their place in towns, stores and faith communities. The program is produced by PublicSource in collaboration with Unabridged Press and supported by The FISA Foundation. The Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University provided technical assistance.

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ADA at 30: Accessibility in Pittsburgh

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