“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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July 13, 2020

Podcast episode 1: How does accessibility in the Pittsburgh region compare to other areas?

Black and white photograph of two disability rights activists. They are climbing the 83 steps up capitol hill. The photograph is shot from a low angle. In front, an activist is sitting and using their hands to push themself up the stairs backwards. In the background, another activist is crawling on his hands and knees.
More than 60 activists climbed the 83 steps of the U.S. Capitol March 12, 1990, to urge Congress to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Used by permission. © Tom Olin – Tom Olin Collection.)

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 and 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.

July 15, 2020

Podcast episode 2: Pittsburgh lawyer shares how the ADA equips people with disabilities to fight for their rights

Black and white photograph of a woman protesting. She’s holding a handmade sign that reads “Let us work”
The ADA promised workplace accommodations, but not without a fight from disability activists. (Used by permission. © Tom Olin – Tom Olin Collection.)

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 of ADA at 30: Accessibility in Pittsburgh, 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 adjunct professor of disability discrimination law at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Law.

Hosts and Guests: Analysts Josie Badger, healthcare ethicist, and Alisa Grishman, disability advocate. Reporter/producers Tony Ganzer and Jennifer Szweda Jordan, Unabridged Press. Jay Hornack, disability rights lawyer.

July 17, 2020

Podcast episode 3: How inclusive are churches and other faith communities?

Photograph of an older Black man in motorized wheelchair going up a ramp into the back of a church. A younger Black woman walks beside him, helping him inside.
Philip Russell and caretaker Alisa Martin use the wheelchair ramp on the side of the building to enter Homewood AME Zion Church on March 1, 2020. (Photo by Kimberly Rowen/PublicSource)

Listen to this Meg St-Espirit discuss how local places of worship are approaching accessibility for people with disabilities.

Companion podcast to "Despite ADA exemption, Pittsburgh-area houses of worship highlight accessibility efforts — and remaining shortfalls"

July 17, 2020

Podcast episode 4: Three people with disabilities talk about how disability affected their faith

Photograph of two Brown men stand with their arms around each other in front of a Hindu temple. Both are facing the camera. Puneet stands on the right with a big smile on his face.
Puneet Kumar (right), and his late father, visit the largest Hindu temple in North America, Radha Madhav Dham in Driftwood, Texas, in January 2017. Kumar tries to make sense of his muscular dystrophy diagnosis in light of his Hindu family’s belief in Karma. (Courtesy photo)

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.

July 20, 2020

Podcast episode 5: Sisters walk together through mental, physical disabilities

Two Black women smile at the camera and stand side by side in a beauty studio. One wears a shirt that says 'humankind be kind' and the other's shirt says 'created with a purpose'.
Alana Gibbs (left) and her sister Darah Thompson at Alana's full-service salon, Hair 2 Sole Beauty Studio in Bridgeville, Pa. (Photo by Jay Manning/PublicSource)

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.