Flattening the Curb

A podcast hosted by Disability Advocates to highlight the life experiences of living with disabilities in west Michigan.

Sneak Peek 07/10/2025

Sneak Peek It's been a great season so far and we will be taking a short break for the Summer, but we will be back in the Fall, but in the mean time, here's a sneak peek of what's to come! Thank you all for joining us and listening this season /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/37220165

Inclusive Futures 06/26/2025

Inclusive Futures We’re joined by Jeff Light, from Inclusive Futures, a resource focused on supporting families through the challenges of planning for loved ones with disabilities and aging family members. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/37163370

Dalia Torres 06/12/2025

Dalia Torres We’re joined by Dalia Torres, as she shares her experiences with disability and experiencing higher education. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/36969775

Jackson Botsford, DAKC's Accessibility Specialist 05/29/2025

Jackson Botsford, DAKC's Accessibility Specialist Episode 7 is here! We’re joined by Jackson Botsford, DAKC’s accessibility specialist, to talk about the ADA, inclusive design, and what it really takes to make spaces accessible for everyone. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/36759325

Gerald R. Ford International Airport 05/15/2025

Gerald R. Ford International Airport ✈️ This week’s episode features Gerald R. Ford International Airport and their new sensory room — a calming, thoughtfully designed space for travelers with sensory sensitivities. We talk about why spaces like this matter, how they came to be, and what true accessibility looks like in busy public environments. Because inclusion should be built into every journey. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/36441250

Broadway Grand Rapids 05/01/2025

Broadway Grand Rapids The curtain rises on another powerful episode, spotlighting incredible stories and inspiring voices in the world of disability inclusion. 💪✨ 🎙️ This week, we’re joined by Broadway Grand Rapids to talk all things accessibility in the performing arts — because inclusion deserves a standing ovation! /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/36357805

Jen VanSkiver, Chief Officer of Strategic Growth Special Olympics Michigan 04/17/2025

Jen VanSkiver, Chief Officer of Strategic Growth Special Olympics Michigan We’re back with more incredible stories and inspiring voices in the world of disability inclusion. 💪 ✨ 🎙️Tune in to hear from Jen VanSkiver, Chief Officer of Strategic Growth with Special Olympics Michigan! /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/36204820

Scott Ford, Camp Director of Michigan Blind Athletic Association's Sports Camp 04/03/2025

Scott Ford, Camp Director of Michigan Blind Athletic Association's Sports Camp Tune in to hear from Scott Ford, camp director of Michigan Blind Athletic Association’s Sports camp! Give it a listen and be sure to visit https://buff.ly/sgpc3k2 for more information and camp registration! /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/35988910

Unstoppable Kent 03/20/2025

Unstoppable Kent 🚨Season 2, Episode 2 is here! 🚨 We’re back with more incredible stories and inspiring voices in the world of disability inclusion. 💪✨ 🎙️ Tune in to hear from Casey Dutmer and Michael Williams as they discuss Unstoppable Kent and accessible transportation in our community! You won’t want to miss this important conversation. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/35788905

Dave Bulkowski, DAKC's Executive Director 03/06/2025

Dave Bulkowski, DAKC's Executive Director 🚨Season 2, Episode 1 is here! 🚨 We’re back with more incredible stories and inspiring voices in the world of disability inclusion. 💪✨ 🎙️ Be sure to give it a listen and hear from Dave Bulkowski as he shares his journey and the history of DAKC! /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/35561545

From radio towers to this podcast: A chat with Phil Tower 11/30/2023

From radio towers to this podcast: A chat with Phil Tower Join us as we chat with Phil Tower local Radio veteran as we discuss his life with a disability, accessibility in the community, and his career in media /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/28870938

Discover K Rock 11/16/2023

Discover K Rock Join us as we sit down with K Rock (Keegan Russel & Keanan Miller) the winners of the 2024 Discover Ability Award. These 2 young men with Autism combined their love of Drums and Guitar to form a band that performed at our annual ADA celebration /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/28672643

Investing in Ability with Cam Young 11/01/2023

Investing in Ability with Cam Young Join us as we chat with Cam Young about his journey with aquiring a Disability and becoming a champion for accessibility /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/28488698

Lifelong Disability Advocate and ADA Icon: Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins 10/18/2023

Lifelong Disability Advocate and ADA Icon: Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins Join us as we chat with Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins an iconic figure in one of the key protests of the Americans with Disabilities Act. New Logo art provided by Ashley Kadwell and Jackson Botsford /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/28355942

The unique look at Autism with Angela Andrews 09/27/2023

The unique look at Autism with Angela Andrews We sit down with Angela Andrews and learn her perspective of life. Mother of 5 children on the spectrum, data scientist, and nero-divergent herself. Angela helps us better understand a mile in her shoes. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/28161143

Scouts for all with Faith Aversano 09/13/2023

Scouts for all with Faith Aversano Join us as we talk to High School student Faith as she breaks down barriers. Wheelchair basketball, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and more! /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/28022649

Meet the Comprehensive Therapy Center 08/30/2023

Meet the Comprehensive Therapy Center Learn about the Comprehensive Therapy Center and their various projects /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/27842895

In the Blind with Nick Vanderwall 08/16/2023

In the Blind with Nick Vanderwall Join Host Jon Cauchi as he sits down with Nick Vanderwall. Learn about the accident that changed his life but failed to derail his passions. We discuss topics such at Blind Hunting, service dogs, audio books, and more /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/27772884

Accessibility at your local library with Shelly Roossien 08/03/2023

Accessibility at your local library with Shelly Roossien Join host Jon Cauchi as he sits down with Shelly Soossien from Kent District Library /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/27651249

Bonus: Breaking Barriers, delving in to Disability history with Sean Spence 07/26/2023

Bonus: Breaking Barriers, delving in to Disability history with Sean Spence Join host Jon Cauchi and Author Sean Spence as we discuss his new book and the history that inspired it! /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/27572562

Two time Hall of Famer Athlete Lee Montgomery 07/19/2023

Two time Hall of Famer Athlete Lee Montgomery Jon Cauchi interviews Paralympian and Two time Hall of Famer Lee Montgomery. Lee is a Pioneer and powerhouse in adaptive sports. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/27507612

The Rise program with Osman Koroma 07/05/2023

The Rise program with Osman Koroma Host Jon Cauchi chats with the Employment Navigator at the Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired Osman Koroma /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/27379302

Leader Dogs Outreach Specialist Alyssa Otis 06/28/2023

Leader Dogs Outreach Specialist Alyssa Otis Host Jon Cauchi speaks with Leader Dogs Outreach Specialist Alyssa Otis. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/27314583

National Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Director Jason Broughton 06/28/2023

National Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Director Jason Broughton Host Jon Cauchi speaks with National Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Director Jason Broughton /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/27314331

Music and Advocacy 05/12/2023

Music and Advocacy Host Nathan Slauer met with Julia LaGrand, an accomplished musician and disability advocate. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/26824566

Healthcare Architecture and Adaptive Technology 05/12/2023

Healthcare Architecture and Adaptive Technology Host Nathan Slauer discusses the future of assistive technology with healthcare architect Noam Platt. Platt is the founder of MakeGood, Inc. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/26824425

Accessibility in a Global Context 05/12/2023

Accessibility in a Global Context Host Nathan Slauer discusses accessibility practices with Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist Steve Wright. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/26823756

Disability Advocates Board Member Marcus Fairfield 05/12/2023

Disability Advocates Board Member Marcus Fairfield Host Jon Cauchi discusses an upcoming special event with Disability Advocates Board Member Marcus Fairfield. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/26823264

Dr. Paul Ponchillia 05/12/2023

Dr. Paul Ponchillia Host Jon Cauchi speaks with Dr. Paul Ponchillia. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/26823078

Medical Gaslighting, Art, and Advocacy 05/04/2023

Medical Gaslighting, Art, and Advocacy Host Nathan Slauer speaks with Kelly Mendenhall, author of Skin in the Game: The Stories My Tattoos Tell. Mendenhall tells her story of living with chronic pain and facing medical gaslighting. She discusses how art can be an effective tool for addressing pain and challenging life circumstances. /episode/index/show/disabadvocates/id/26747280

Flattening the Curb

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