Why Is Disability Still an Afterthought?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Episode: "Why Is Disability Still an Afterthought?"

Release Date: June 9, 2026
Host: Stacey Abrams
Guests: Marlene Sallo (Executive Director, National Disability Rights Network), Spencer West (Disability Rights Advocate & Motivational Speaker)

---

Overview

In this episode, Stacey Abrams confronts why disability continues to be relegated to the periphery of policy and society, despite its profound impact on millions of Americans. Joined by Marlene Sallo and Spencer West, Abrams breaks down the societal, legislative, and economic barriers facing the disability community. The conversation explores models of disability, the history and legacy of landmark legislation like the ADA, recent targeted rollbacks of rights, the intersections of disability with DEI, and—importantly—practical steps for listeners to become effective allies and advocates.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Disability Is Everyone’s Issue

• Prevalence: 1 in 4 of today's 20-year-olds will experience a long-term disability before age 67.
• Stigma & Invisibility: Despite prevalence, disability is rarely discussed or prioritized in society or policymaking.
• Abrams sets the stage: “[Being disabled] affects so many of us and none of us are immune from its impact. And yet it is an under discussed issue and it is certainly under resourced.” (06:09)

Models of Disability: Medical vs. Social

• Medical Model: Disability viewed as an individual deficit to be fixed.
• Social Model: Disability as a social construct—“My body doesn't need to be fixed, my body is just fine. In fact, the only thing that disables me are the barriers and the laws that exist that keep me from fully participating in society.” (Spencer West, 09:40)
• Tension in Policy: Funding and systems rely on the medical model for resource allocation, but meaningful change needs a social model approach.

The Scope of Advocacy

• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): Advocates for all disabilities, focusing on independence, community participation, and self-advocacy (Marlene Sallo, 07:03).
• Lifelong Impact: Services span from childhood (education, IEPs) through adulthood (housing, employment, accommodations).

Institutional & Legal Attacks on Disability Rights

• Recent Rollbacks: Department of Energy removed mandates requiring accessibility in federally funded buildings; Education Department’s Civil Rights Division, overseeing IDEA compliance, was gutted (Abrams, 05:00).
• DEI and Disability: “DEI is really the shorthand we use to describe all of the rules that we've had to pass…to make this country, you know, fair for everyone. And at the center of that conversation… we have to talk about the disability community as a central pillar.” (Abrams, 19:35)
• Republican Legislative Cuts: Targeted slashing of Medicaid, SNAP, home- and community-based services (HCBS), housing, employment support, and disability-specific small business loans (32:23, 33:49).

The Power and Limitations of the ADA

• ADA as a Landmark Law: Set global standard for disability rights, but has gaps in implementation—especially as agencies issue new interpretations or rescind regulations.
• “The basics still aren’t met:” Spencer describes the routine inaccessibility of public restrooms and the need for universal rather than piecemeal design (25:41).
• Financial Obstacles: Costly retrofits, personal assistants, loss of income due to inadequate accessibility, and stricter requirements to “prove” disability (27:40).

The Importance of Intersectional Advocacy & Universal Design

• Universal Design: Benefits all—including temporarily disabled or aging people; “As we all age, we are all going to develop some sort of disability, so why not get it right the first time?” (Marlene Sallo, 20:16)
• Historical Lessons: Spencer recommends learning about pivotal figures (Judy Heumann) and movements (504 sit-in, Crip Camp) that shaped the fight for rights (13:48).

Voting Rights and Democracy

• Vulnerable Communities as Targets: Authoritarians attack disabled rights as part of undermining democracy (30:31).
• Voting Barriers: Delays in online voting accessibility and bans on mail-in and curbside voting disenfranchise millions (43:38, 54:13).
• Structural Disenfranchisement: Proof-of-citizenship rules and inaccessible polling locations, especially in churches, exclude disabled voters (50:42, 54:13).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Social vs. Medical Model:
  “The medical model says our bodies are broken and need to be fixed... The social model says, my body doesn't need to be fixed, my body is just fine. The only thing that disables me are the barriers and the laws that exist that keep me from fully participating in society.”
  — Spencer West, (09:40)

• On False Scarcity:
  “The fear that I see now is some of the cutbacks and the pullback and the additional requirements to prove you're disabled to receive certain services in the community is frightening… If I needed public assistance, there's this fear now that there may be a chance that someone will have to prove their disability on a monthly basis.”
  — Marlene Sallo, (11:47)

• On Universality of Disability:
  “You could be an ‘able-bodied’ individual and then you break your leg... As we all age, we are all going to develop some sort of disability, so why not get it right the first time?”
  — Marlene Sallo, (20:16)

• On Humanity as the Basis for Action:
  “Humanity.”
  — Marlene Sallo’s succinct answer to why people should care about SNAP and Medicaid cuts (40:46)

• On Social Media Empowerment:
  “For so long, we didn’t have control of the narrative in our own story. Everyone else got to tell our story for us, and they often got it wrong…”
  — Spencer West, (56:13)

---

Segments & Timestamps

| Time | Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:00 | Setting the stage: The broken system and dual eligibles | | 06:05 | Defining the spectrum of disability: Marlene Sallo & NDRN’s mission | | 09:30 | Stigma, self-identification, and the medical/social models | | 13:23 | U.S. history of disability advocacy, Crip Camp, Judy Heumann | | 19:35 | Disability at the center of DEI & universal design | | 22:17 | Stacey’s personal experience with temporary and familial disability | | 24:35 | The ADA’s legacy, ongoing gaps, and new accessibility challenges | | 27:23 | Finances: Hidden economic costs and local advocacy priorities | | 30:31 | Political context: Authoritarian scapegoating and targeted cuts | | 32:23 | Programs cut that have impacted the disabled community | | 33:49 | Proposed cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, HCBS; threat of reinstitutionalization | | 40:46 | The moral (and systemic) case against social safety net cuts | | 43:38 | The attack on disabled voting rights | | 44:33 | Making voting accessible—practical local recommendations | | 50:42 | Polling place accessibility, proof-of-citizenship as a barrier | | 54:13 | The reality—and dangers—of voting disenfranchisement | | 56:13 | Social media and reclaiming the disability narrative | | 58:01 | Actionable Homework & Final Words |

---

Actionable Steps & Listener Homework

Spencer West (58:25)

• Learn: Research Judy Heumann and read The Human Perspective; watch Crip Camp on Netflix; read Tiffany Yu’s The Anti-Ableist Manifesto.
• Everyday Practice:
  • Take stairs/escalators if possible, leaving elevators for those who need them.
  • Don’t use the accessible stall in public restrooms unless needed.
  • Ask businesses about physical barriers (e.g., stairs without ramps).
• “Even just putting a little pressure…on why they’re constantly choosing to keep people out…puts pressure on them to think about it.” (58:25)

Marlene Sallo (59:58)

• Voting Inclusion: Educate yourself on your area’s accessibility rules; volunteer at polling places; join advocacy calls; help transport someone to vote; ensure voting is private, independent, and accessible.
• “Ensuring that everyone has access to the polling site, everyone can cast their ballot, and that they can vote independently and privately.” (60:34)

Stacey Abrams (61:00)

• Be Curious: Follow Spencer West; seek out diverse journalists/creators on disability topics.
• Be Proactive: Visit ndrn.org for legal advocacy, resources, and action on local/federal disability issues.
• Do Good: Find and support local or regional disability justice organizations (e.g., New Disabled South).

---

Tone and Closing Thoughts

The discussion is urgent yet pragmatic, infused with the activist optimism that defines Stacey Abrams’ work. The guests speak with lived expertise—balancing sobering realities with encouragement and practical steps. The language is passionate, direct, and inclusive, stressing collective responsibility and the universality of disability.

Closing Message (Stacey Abrams):

"We can’t fix everything, everywhere, all at once; but we can each do something, somewhere, soon." (Summary of show’s ethos)

---

Transcript

[A]

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams is brought to you by bilt. Whether you're renting or paying a mortgage, one of your biggest monthly expenses should be working harder for you. That's where BILT comes in. BILT is the membership for where you live that rewards you with points on every housing payment wherever you live. BILT started out rewarding members on their rent. Now, as of 2026, BILT members can also earn points on mortgage payments wherever they live. Every housing payment earns you points that you can use with top travel partners like United or Hyatt on lyft rides towards Amazon.com purchases and so much more. Personally, I'd redeem my points for select restaurants and at Bilt's Home Collection, but here's what I think is the most underrated part. BILT members also get access to a neighborhood concierge. It can make restaurant reservations, book fitness classes and find new local SP, all while being rewarded at more than 45,000 merchant partners. It's like having a personal assistant baked into where you live. It's simple. Being a renter and now owning a home is better with BILT. Join the membership for where you live at joinbilt.com assembly that's J-O-I-N-B-I-L-T.com assembly and make sure to use our URL since so they know we sent you this

[B]

week at Safeway and Albertsons. Six to 16 ounce selected varieties of strawberries, raspberries or blackberries are $1.99 each limit three member price with coupon and extra meaty pork back ribs or St. Louis style spare ribs bone in previously frozen are $2.99 per pound limit four member price with coupon plus medium avocados, colored bell peppers or English cucumbers sold by the each or tomatoes on the vine or sweet onions sold by the pound are $0.99 member price. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways

[A]

to save Life doesn't wait. The kids outgrow the old couch, the fridge stops working, and sometimes you just want to treat yourself to a bigger tv. That's where errands comes in. Shop thousands of products from top brands in furniture, electronics, appliances and more. Find what you love, take it home, pay over time and once you're done, it's yours. Because getting what you need for your home should feel easy. So shoperrands.com or visit your local errands store today. Approval not guaranteed. Restrictions apply. See stores for details. Welcome to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams From Crooked Media, I'm your host, Stacey Abrams. Last year, I had the honor of narrating a documentary on behalf of the organization New Disabled South. The documentary was called the True Cost of Care. Over the course of the episodes, people from across the south explained how our broken health care system creates an even more vicious reality for over 12 million Americans who rely on both Medicare and Medicaid programs that are not designed to work together. These folks are known as dual eligible or dual enrolled. For these Americans, they are among the most economically disadvantaged and medically complex people in the country. Nearly half live in poor or fair health, and many are people of color. The statistics and the stories that I narrated weren't news to me, but the invisibility of the disabled continues to be a stain on our country. Worse though, is that when we know better, we still intentionally create harm in this administration. You see, when the authoritarian regime began its assault on dei, most paid attention to how they disparaged people of color and women in the LGBTQ community. Fewer paid attention to the attacks on the disabled. For example, the Department of Energy issued a direct final rule that rescinds long standing mandates. These mandates required that federally funded new construction and building renovations had to be accessible to people with disabilities. This is known as section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At the same time, this Republican regime also hollowed out the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Education, which monitored compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education act, or IDEA act, which is a federal civil rights law that guarantees eligible children with disabilities get a free, appropriate public education. This was the part of the Education Department that ensured students receive tailored special education and related services in the least restrictive environment. So whether it's stopping buildings or stopping education, there have been attacks on the disabled right under our nose right now. But the America we deserve has never been solely about race or gender, but about who should have fair access to opportunity. In America, democracy is about shared power. But what happens when competitive authoritarian governments like ours focus their cruelty on the most vulnerable? On the disabled. Here at Assembly Required, we do what we do best. We understand the problem, identify the solutions, and then get to work. Joining me today for our conversation on what we miss when we talk about disability rights and how we can all be part of demanding justice are two exceptional guests. Marlene Sallow, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network, and Spencer west, disability rights advocate and motivational speaker. Maureen Salo and Spencer west, welcome to Assembly Required. Thank you so much for joining me.

[C]

Thank you for inviting.

[D]

Yeah, thanks for having us.

[A]

Well, I Want to start this conversation with a big picture, which is to talk about why disability advocacy and awareness are not something that get a lot of attention, but something that affect everyone. We know that one in four of today's 20 year olds will experience long term disability before reaching retirement age at 67. And we also know that whether it's visible or not that being disabled affects so many of us and none of us are immune from its impact. And yet it is an under discussed issue and it is certainly under resourced. And so Marlene, I want to start with you. Would love for you to talk about what you what your advocacy group, the National Disability Rights Network. How do you define disability and how broad is the spectrum of disabilities?

[C]

Oh, the spectrum is broad and it can be very individualized. It could be multiple disabilities that someone is experiencing. But at the end of the day, the National Disability Rights Network advocates on behalf of all people with all types of disabilities, even if they are co occurring. And we are made up of 57 protection and advocacy agencies along with 13 client assistance programs. And we all have the one thing in common is that we advocate for people with disabilities to be able to be independent, to be able to participate in society as needed and as they want, but also to have the ability to self advocate. We work with individuals with disabilities to ensure that they have the information that they need to become self advocates. And then we also advocate on their behalf at the state level and at the national level, whether it's a child who has an IEP at school and we're advocating at a meeting or an older American with disabilities that we're advocating for accommodations in the apartment that they reside in. We provide guidance, advocacy and support as needed across the entire life spectrum for any disability that may present itself throughout the spectrum.

[A]

Spencer When I was growing up, I watched the show Life Goes on, which was really my first exposure on television to the conversation about disability. And I remember the backlash and the constant. I was a teenager and didn't understand why there was such stigma around the story of this family grappling with disability or not only grappling with, but navigating the complexities of life with disability is one of the metrics. Can you talk about why there is still a stigma around identifying as disabled and what you think about both as someone who is self identified but also who works with the disabled community?

[D]

Yeah, I think for me, Stacy, it's looking at the disability model and there's sort of two models. There's the medical model and the social model. The medical model says that Our bodies are broken and need to be fixed and that we are living at a deficit. And the social model says, my body doesn't need to be fixed, my body is just fine. In fact, the only thing that disables me are the barriers and the laws that exist that keep me from fully participating in society. So I think it's helping people have that reframe and understanding what disability is. You know, we don't have education in school to talk about disability justice or to talk about the disability justice movement, or to learn about the history or to learn about the key figures, both past and present. And so without that knowledge, it's hard to change attitudinal ideas and it's hard to change legislative ideas when we're constantly operating from that medical model of my body is broken and it needs to be fixed.

[A]

So as someone who is a policymaker, the medical model is often our justification for increased investment, that we operate in a nation where broken gets fixed, but if it's not broken, it's not our problem. And so when you think about that tension, and I invite you into this conversation as well, Marlene, when you think about the tension between the medical model and the social model, where do you. I know the optimal would be the social model, but the resources lie in the medical model. And so what's your advice to lawmakers and advocates as they're trying to solve for the resource deficit that will exist if we do not engage the medical model as part of the proxy for investment?

[D]

Yeah, I think that we have to work together on both of those. Right. And we have to work. I remember, you know, in the 80s, I acquired my disability at birth and I remember the doctors telling me that you're just like everyone else. And so I went out into the world thinking that that was true and then the rest of the world told me that that wasn't true, that I'm not like everyone else. So I the like, the medical model is important because there were life saving surgeries that I needed to then now walk on my hands and use a wheelchair to navigate the world. But I think helping them understand the change on how to look at this as a social issue and not just a medical issue. I think there needs to be some work there. But I'd be curious, Marlene, what your thoughts are.

[C]

Yeah, I mean they're not mutually exclusive. Right. As you've indicated. And so we need to be very thoughtful and comprehensive in our approach to provide the resources that are needed so that every individual with a disability can live freely in the community. That they choose and can have access to the services, the support services that they need. The fear that I see now is some of the cutbacks and the pullback and the additional requirements to prove you're disabled to receive certain services in the community is frightening. It's frightening. I'm a disabled woman myself, and so my disability is not going to go away. But if I needed public assistance, there's this fear now that there may be a chance that someone will have to prove their disability on a monthly basis if it goes through with what they're proposing. Education is key, and that's what we try to do, is we try to educate elected officials, and not only in Capitol Hill, but at the state and local level, because services are accessed at multiple levels in our own communities, and everybody has a part to play in that. Ensuring that we're continuously educating folks that it's not just one model and bringing forward the thought that when you are providing services, you have to take the whole person into consideration and not just part of that individual.

[A]

Spencer, I'm going to come back to you for a second because you referenced the importance of knowing history, and I want to lead us into a conversation about the Americans with Disabilities Act. But I think it's critical for people to know what this nation's story is when it comes to the conversation of disability. We'd love for you to start. Just give us a little bit of that history that you think we don't know enough about.

[D]

Yeah, you know, I think if we look at a great example and resource for folks is to watch the Netflix documentary Crip Camp that talks about the whole history of Judy Heumann and her story, and the 504 sit in the protest in New York City against the public transportation system. There's all of these small little things that we don't learn about in history when they're teaching us history. At least I didn't when I was in school. And one of the things that I love so much that I wish more people knew about is with the 504 City in California where, you know, they. They occupied the Capitol building, they worked with other social justice organizations, the Black Panthers showed up and provided food and support. So watching how that this issue wasn't just a disabled issue, because disability is everyone's issue. So I think there's just those small things like that and some of the players in today's game, you know, we look at people like Alice Wong, who we just lost in our. Who was a very strong voice in the disability community and offered space for other disabled voices as well. Through her publications and her books we have folks like Tiffany Yu who currently today she wrote this incredible book called the Anti Ableist Manifesto for Disabled Folks and non disabled Folks to learn the basics of our history and some of the social justice stuff as well. So I think those are some past and present things. There's so much history that we just don't have time to get into, but those for me are some of the greatest hits

[A]

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams is brought to you by Quince Summer means a change in weather and wardrobe, lighter fabrics, better materials, pieces that just feel good the moment you put them on and look effortless. That's Quince's specialty. And when it's time to accessorize, I know I can turn to Quince to find a gorgeous pair of earrings or a beautiful and functional new bag. Quince has terrific everyday pieces like 100% European linen pants, dresses and tops with style starting at $32. Their denim is soft and easy to wear and their organic cotton sweaters are perfect for layering on those cool summer nights. Everything at Quint's is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. That's because Quints works directly with ethical factories and cuts out the middlemen, so you're paying for quality, not brand markup. Quince has really become a destination for elevated essentials across home, kitchen, bedding and beyond, making it easy to bring a more premium feel into everyday life. As the days continue to warm up. I think a new linen duvet is the perfect way to stay cool at night. So elevate your summer wardrobe and go to quince.comstacy or for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns now available in Canada too. That's Q U I-N-C-E.comstacy for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.comstacey assembly required with Stacey Abrams is brought to you by Wild Alaskan Co. Last week my mom and I were watching one of her favorite food shows and she decided she wanted to make a bouillabaisse, which is a mix of seafood and a flavorful broth. But there was no question of where we were planning to get the seafood. Wild Alaskan Company Wild Alaskan Company offers the best way to get wild caught high quality seafood delivered to your door on your schedule. Each Wild Alaskan box comes with individually portioned filets, vacuum sealed, easy to prep and great for any meal to no matter how quick or elevated. All fish is quick frozen, fresh from the Alaskan waters, which helps to lock in its freshness, texture, flavor, and key nutrients like omega 3s. And it is fish you can trust with no GMOs, antibiotics or other additives. Every order supports sustainable harvesting practices and Alaskan fishermen whose history is tied to the region and practice. My parents enjoy having a box delivered directly to their doorstep so they don't have to bother with the hassle of shopping and can get straight to cooking. And they love the variety. Right now they're trying the Coho salmon and the Pacific halibut. Wild Alaskan company is so confident that their fish is the best that they offer a 100% satisfaction and money back guarantee. So you can try your first box risk free. Go to wildalaskan.com assembly for $35 off of your first order of premium wild caught seafood. That's wildalaskan.com assembly For $35 off of your first order. And thank you to wild alaskan company for sponsoring this episode. Marlene I started a set of organizations in 2023 in the wake of the Students for Fair admissions decision that helped continue the attempted decimation of dei. And one of the ways I frame DEI and one of the ways our organization frames dei. And I want to actually credit my older sister Andrea, who is a cultural anthropologist, for helping think about how we push this into the public narrative is that for so long, DEI was seen as mostly about race, maybe about gender. And what we've attempted to do is really widen the ambitious so that people understand that diversity, equity and inclusion means, you know, diversity means all people, equity means fair access to opportunity, inclusion means respect for belonging. And that embedded in that is a national contention that we've had for 250 years to make this country accessible, operable, and fair to everyone. And so DEI is really the shorthand we use to describe all of the rules that we've had to pass, all of the laws we've had to adopt, all of the changes we've had to make to make this country, you know, fair for everyone. And at the center of that conversation. And this goes back to what Spencer just said. I've always believed that we have to talk about the disability community as a central pillar of how DEI has been achieved in this country. And I'd love for you to tell people why I'm right.

[C]

It's about when I think about dei, I think about accessibility, right? And so when we do architectural, we remove architectural barriers or under the ada, or we ensure that individuals that are in federally funded buildings, right, have access to Restrooms that they can, who are wheelchair users, that they can go in freely in school. Schools. Right. That they have access to services for students with disabilities. We're not only helping out individuals with disabilities in the disability community, but we're also helping out community as a whole. As a whole. And so, like, it always upsets me when they start building a new building and they talk about, well, we're only going to have like two apartments that are ada, you know, accessible, and then you can pay to retrofit if needed. Why can't you come up with a design and use universal design where accessibility is available for everyone? Because you could be an able, quote, unquote, able bodied individual and then you break your leg. But you need accommodations and you need to be able to have an accessible apartment. If we approach everything from a universal design perspective and ensure that we are, you know, abiding by the ADA requirements, well, then everyone can live anywhere. And I wish folks understood that. And when I'm speaking to individuals who have not self identified as having a disability, I always remind them, hey, as we all age, we are all going to develop some sort of disability, so why not get it right the first time time rather than having to go back and fix things on a regular. Like, to me, that's never made any sense.

[A]

I want to sort of add my personal experience. So when I was in the Georgia House of Representatives, I was the minority leader. In the very first day of my very first term as minority leader, there was a freak snowstorm. It was not my fault in Atlanta. And we get to the Capitol, I get back home and I slip on a piece of black ice outside of my townhouse and I cracked my kneecap and didn't realize it. I just thought I hurt myself because I'm very clumsy and walked on it on marble for the next week until my knee swole. And I tell the story because they then had to put me on crutches. For the next 30 days, I lived in a two story townhouse. I could not get to anything in my townhouse without going up a flight of stairs. And it had never occurred to me that that was something to worry about. And then I juxtapose that with the fact that my parents lived with me for about four years recently and I gave them my bedroom on the first floor because my parents were not ambulatory in a way that could allow them to go to a second or third floor. And that, you know, what happened to me when I was 34 was their lived experience when they were 76. And those are daily occurrences. And so your point about universality of design should also assume universality of experience. This is going to happen.

[C]

And if I may add, the universally, the universality. Sorry, my Spanish gets in the way with the pronunciation. I also think about it as, as we, as we age, nine times out of 10 people have to move out of their homes because the homes are inaccessible to them. So we all have a right to, to live in place.

[A]

Right?

[C]

I hate using the word age in place, but we all have a right to live in place. So if I'm comfortable where I'm at, but whomever built this home didn't have that universal design concept in mind, sooner or later I may have to move out because I can't go up two flights of stairs. And so it's like we need to do better. You know, some countries overseas have this down a lot better than we do and we need to do better in this department.

[A]

Well, Spencer, it's been 26 years since the Americans with Disabilities act was signed into law. And for everyone listening, this is the law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities across public life. And as with so many things, the US has room for improvement. But the ADA has been considered a landmark piece of legislation that countries around the world have looked to as a model. And yet I think it's critical that we acknowledge that because the ADA is statutory in terms of its implementation, it often relies on agencies to do interpretation. And at the top of this conversation, I talked about the fact that the Department of Energy, for example, has issued a final rule saying it no longer intends to comply with section 504 in authorizing new buildings. So Spencer, would love to start with you and have you talk about where have we fallen short since the ADA passed and what are the new needs or the current needs that are manufactured that we couldn't have predicted at the time?

[D]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's often still just the basic things. You know, the idea that like having access to a home, having access to physical spaces and buildings and helping people understand what those are for, I can't tell you this might see seem more of an elementary example, but even the idea of like me going into a public bathroom and the accessible stall not being available, I can't tell you how many times that happens to me on a daily basis. And people are like, oh well, just wait your turn and that's fine. I realize that like there are non apparent disabilities as well, but I think from my perspective, it's the awareness and understanding that instead of just like having one accessible stall. Why don't we change them to all be accessible? So it goes back to Marlene's idea of like this idea of universal design. So I do think we have some basic stuff, but at the end of the day, it's designed with the, with the lens of we're not as large of a population as we were talking about earlier. You know, the disability community is the only marginalized community that everyone will experience at some point in their life. So although it's not your issue right now, as you mentioned, Stacey, it will be, it will be at some point either temporary. So I think it's expanding that idea of like it's not just one house that's accessible or one stall that's accessible. It's how do we design the entire stall space that's accessible for everyone. So I think it's looking now through that larger lens as we needed the basics of the ADA to get the conversation going. And now that we're starting to really re examine and we're looking at what this administration is doing, I think it gives us the opportunity to expand it in a way that includes everyone and expands what the protections are and what that can look like, if that makes sense.

[A]

It does. Marlene, what are some of the financial considerations that come with disabilities that may not necessarily be obvious to those without disabilities? And I want to type that again to how we can continue to expand the utility of the ada.

[C]

Well, the first thing that comes to mind in line with just access, the universal design, is having to sometimes pay to get your apartment retrofitted. Right. So that you can have an accessible apartment, especially if it's an old design, you have the additional costs that are not always covered if you need a personal assistant and folks like what we're hearing is with the Medicaid cutbacks, that may not continue to be as accessible for the funding piece moving forward if things continue in the way that they're going. There's the ongoing cost of losing time at work. Right. And like salary. So perfect example, you it's, it's snowing outside. They didn't clear the sidewalk. Right. People wouldn't think that that's tied to accessibility, but it is. Therefore, you can't step outside, so you end up missing work that day. And perhaps your employer doesn't pay you when you're out because you're an hourly employee. There is that as well. There is just the ongoing also for individuals who are hourly workers, just sick days, lack of sick days that are being offered so you don't have that funding either to allow you right, to live your life because you need to pay your bills, but if you're ill and you don't have sick leave, then you're going to miss work. And it'll set you further behind from the perception of. Because I want to go back to the fact that they're saying that they're not going to support or abide by the ada. I think that now more than ever, it's important to do local advocacy and local education, not only in your county or city, but also at the state level. Someone's got to enforce it. Right? And so making sure that we as a community are heard and we're advocating for, for our rights and educating those that have the power of the purse is so very key to ensure that services will continue to be funded. And we recognize that some states have budget restraints, but leaving us out because it's convenient is not the answer. I mean, we are the biggest voting

[A]

block and we're going to talk about that. I want to frame this up and I appreciate both of you sending this conversation up so well. One of the reasons that the Republican regime, and I want to say not just the Trump administration, Republicans in Congress, but the Republican regime writ large, has been so effective, especially over the last year and a half, is that when you think about how authoritarianism happens and folks who listen to the show regularly know I, I talk about the 10 steps to authoritarianism and autocracy, well, step seven is that you scapegoat the vulnerable. And in the United States, that means going after dei. And that includes communities of color, that includes immigrants, and that includes the disabled. One of the reasons they have been so quietly effective at dismantling the protections provided by the ADA is that when the president of the United States issued an executive order saying that the federal government was no longer going to complain apply with dei. One of those pieces were the statutory responsibilities of the ada, because the Republican regime believes, rightly, that the disability community is a part of the DEI framework and they gave themselves permission to not do what's right. And so what we've watched over the last year and a half is this pursuit of cuts and funding reductions that affect, as Marlene talked about, you know, you talked about the programs that, you know, relate to healthcare and research and social services. And Spencer, you've talked about how critical these resources are as they disappear. And so I'm going to come to you first, Spencer, would love for you to talk for a moment about programs that have been slashed that have affected the disabled community, that haven't gotten enough attention. I know Marlene, you've looked at up some of them, but would love Spencer to bring you in on that. That conversation.

[D]

Yeah. You know, for this question says I can only speak from my own experience where I remember when I was 16 and I was trying to get a job in my community and I had had more work experience on my resume than a lot of my non disabled friends. And I was frustrated because those were the days where you physically handed in your resume to someone. So someone was physically seeing me as someone without legs in a wheelchair. And I couldn't even get a phone call, let alone an interview. And all of my non disabled friends were, were getting jobs right off the gate and I was really frustrated. And so there was a program that existed in my town called JTPA which then eventually got folded into the 504, I believe after that. But this incredible woman named Beth Whitman helped connect me with employers in my community to help me find a job. It's these sort of connections that often get thrown to the, to the wayside when, when we look at these types of programs, I feel like Marlene can probably speak better to the exact ones that, that we're seeing. But from my persp, it's those programs that help disabled folks connect with employers to get jobs or resources that often are tossed by the wayside. And you know, Stacy, you mentioned in an article recently, one of the other ones was that that there was a cut to small business loans and that specifically affected veterans, disabled veterans in the business they were trying to make. So I think there's, there's a lot, but those are the two examples that come up for me in particular. But Marlene probably has better examples than I do.

[C]

So there are a lot of proposed cuts and those are the ones that we're tracking. So home based community services, potential financial cuts to that which would affect a significant amount of the disability community. There's cutbacks on housing. Right. And we do have houseless individuals who also have a disability. And so that will have a negative impact on our community. And so we're tracking that as well. And just the proposed work requirements for those that receive Medicaid is also something that we're tracking. And there's a lot of proposals out there. And so we continuously remain alert and we try to educate folks on the potential impact that it'll have on people with disabilities if those proposals solidify. And we continue to advocate at all levels to ensure that folks understand the negative impact that it will have. Because at the end of the day when it comes to individuals with disability. Historically, we have been institutionalized. This is historic. And for anyone that has never watched the film about Willowbrook, please watch that. You had over 6,200 individuals living in a facility in Staten island that was only supposed to hold 4,000. And they lived in horrid conditions. Horrid. And we don't want to go back to that. And so the continued fear is that any rollback in financial support for HCBs and just community based services may ultimately result in reinstitutionalization for individuals in the disability community. And we're not going back to that.

[A]

Assembly Required is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. We spend a lot of time on this show talking about participation, who gets to be a part of our democracy. And as we approach America's 250th anniversary, it's worth remembering how this began as a rebellion against monarchy, against divine rule, and against the idea that power belongs to anyone other than the people. That's why the founders created a secular constitution, one that protects freedom of conscience for everyone. But we also know those freedoms have had to be expanded and defended over time. Today, we're seeing new efforts to blur the line between church and state in ways that can exclude and marginalize. The Freedom from Religion foundation is working to protect the First Amendment because it protects you. If protecting pluralism in our democracy matters to you, learn more at FFRF US Stacy or just text my first name S T A C e y to 511511 because democracy only works when it includes all of us. Go to FFRF US Stacy or text my first name Stacy to 511511. Remember, text my first name Stacy to 511511. Message and data rates may apply. Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams is brought to you by Oneskin. If you're like me, you have a range of beauty products that you've tried over the years. Some, though, you keep coming back to because they just work better. For me, that's Oneskin. It doesn't just make my existing routine better. It actually works differently than almost anything I've tried. As we age, many of us experience visible signs of aging. Fine lines, loss of firmness, a dullness that can start to creep in over time. And One Skin's OS1 peptide was specifically engineered to address those changes. So you're getting everything you expect from great skin care. With OS1 doing something most skin care was never built to do, OS1's nighttime regimen makes unwinding at night easier. Just A few pumps of cleanser, dots of moisturizer and a little bit of eye cream. Plus my skin is noticeably fresher the next day. Also, regardless of your complexion, you've got to remember that skin safety matters. If you're not already using sunscreen daily, Oneskin's Face SPF is a great place to start. It's got those same skincare benefits from the OS1 peptide or while also giving you mineral SPF protection from UV exposure. One Skin's results are backed by four peer reviewed clinical studies, over 10,000 five star reviews and they've been recognized by Bloomberg as a leader in skin longevity. You really don't need a complicated routine to get healthier, younger looking skin. Born from over a decade of longevity research, One Skin's OS1 peptide is proven to target the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, try one skin with 15% off using code assembly at OneSkin CO. Assembly, that's 15% off. OneSkin CO with code assembly and after you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you. Marlene, I want to dig a little deeper on the impact of the proposed Medicaid cuts and SNAP benefit cuts that were embedded in the Republican mega bill that passed last year. You know, we know that according to the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on disability, only 46.5% of working age people with disabilities are employed. And with this work requirement, that is going to create a barrier not only for those who are underemployed, it's going to create a hardship for those that, you know, that 46.5% who have jobs, but the remainder who don't. That 53.5% who don't have jobs. And then we also know that Trump is trying to penalize disabled people who are living at home with parents and other relatives if they receive SNAP benefits. And that rule change would deduct the value of a disabled adult's bedroom from their SSI allotment. Even if the family members they live with are poor enough to qualify for snap. Why should the rest of America be outraged and engaged in advocacy around these issues?

[C]

Humanity. No, that.

[A]

Look, that, that is, I believe, the most fundamental response. But just in case people need a little more convincing, what else you got?

[C]

Well, there's no guarantee that it'll stop here. Right? That's how I view it. As just an individual. There's no guarantee. There's also I, I have this concept of if my Brother and sister are suffering, I'm ultimately going to suffer as well. And then if they're losing benefits, then that behooves all of us to help. But at the end of the day, we can't help everyone. And so why don't we have a social net that's there to assist and to provide the supports that are needed? And why are we, why is any proposed regulation penalizing individuals that may not have access to the same thing that someone else has that is not disabled? We also have this ongoing concern where ableism exists in our society. 45% of people with disabilities are employed. Does that mean that that's the only percentage that could be working? No, it does not. But the problem is that employers need to understand that employment is there for everyone and not just some. And so taking away the thought that, well, they're incapable of being able to work because an individual has a disability is misinformation, disinformation. It's cruel. During COVID everybody was working virtually, which allowed people with disabilities to work virtually. We have defeated that ableist mentality that just because I'm disabled, I cannot work. When our brothers and sisters prosper, then we as a society prosperity. And so we need to make sure that we're educating others. Some folks think, well, I remember when I first learned that if you're receiving benefits but you make more than X amount a month, you lose your benefits, but the amount is barely able to allow you to live day to day expenses. Why am I losing benefits? And yeah, I could go on and on.

[A]

Well, Spencer, I mean, part of the way we solve this is voting. And we know that one of the additional attacks on democracy that we're seeing is the attack on voting rights. So step seven is you go after the vulnerable and you scapegoat the vulnerable. But step 10 is that you basically end the ability of democracy to push change. And news recently broke that the Department of Justice has made this last minute change, delaying a key deadline that would have required large municipalities to make their voting websites, their mobile apps and their other online election resources accessible to people with disabilities under specific technical standards. And we know that this comes and sits right beside the restrictions that they're trying to impose on vote by mail. Spencer would love for you to talk about why meaningful voting access is so critical and what it looks like in practice.

[D]

Yeah, I mean, you know, this is, this is the way our democracy works. This is how we show up. This is how we express our, our, how we want things to, to go and how we want Things to change. And so if we don't have access for everyone, then then they can't exercise that right. And it's not just, you know, I think oftentimes we get stuck on. On the physical side of things, of not having access to public transportation, which then means you can't get to the actual polls to vote there. But also thinking about folks that are blind, folks that are deaf, how do they access that information at home? How do they access it online? And I mean, it seems pretty basic and pretty simple, but. But if that is taken away, then that's a large majority of the population that doesn't get to have their voices heard. And under the protection of the Constitution, we are allowed to have that right. And so I think it's important for us to be thinking about how we can maybe do that, help on the state level to provide that access through regulation and policy and legislation so that folks have that. And also, you know, one of the things I think is important that you know very well, Stacy, is, you know, grassroots organizing. And how do we as a community come together? So if these things are happening, how do we come together as a community to provide that access for folks so that they can. They can get to the polls in whatever way is comfortable for them?

[A]

Well, and I'm going to ask for you to give a couple of examples, because on this show, what we try to say is, not only is there something to do, but here's something to do. And so people are often overwhelmed by just the scale of the problem. And our goal is to really give them specific pieces. So if you were to think about a piece of local legislation, a local regulatory change that someone could push for. And I'll start with you, Spencer, then bring you in, Marlene. What's something at the local level someone could do to tackle a barrier that they see?

[D]

I mean, I think maybe one of the first things they could do is work with public transportation to provide a way for, you know, wheelchair users and folks with mobility devices to pick them up from their individual homes and bring them to the polls, like, those sorts of things, or going to the polling station themselves and taking a look at, like, oh, are there stairs? Do we know someone in our community that can help build us a ramp? So I know this isn't, like, legislative stuff. I like to focus on, like, more the grassroots stuff, because sometimes that takes too long. So I think looking at those sorts of minimal things that they can do as a community. I'm from the United States, but I live in Canada now, and we have A not for profit here called stopgap. And their job is to create these wooden ramps that go in front of buildings who have stairs or don't have access until they can properly provide the access for mobility devices. So I think it's like looking at those smaller things that we can do. But I think using public transportation as a way to get folks to the polls I think would be really helpful, but. Or they might have some better examples.

[C]

I'm lucky to reside in Virginia, where they have curbside voting, which is so very beneficial to disabled voters. Not every state has that. Advocating for that at the state level is something that I support simply because it just makes things so much more accessible, but also not so much legislative, but just education wise is also getting the information out to multiple communities and multiple languages so that they're educated about what their rights are as someone with a disability when they go to the polls. What assistance they can or cannot request is so very key for our community. And so NDRN has actually launched a voter outreach and engagement project. And so we organize disability rights organizations to message to people with disabilities about their rights. And so we, through that we hope to also promote greater inclusion of the disability community and not only the voter outreach, but even in mainstream media.

[A]

This podcast is brought to you by Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Everyone deserves access to high quality, affordable health care, no matter what. That's why millions of people rely on Planned Parenthood health centers for services like cancer screenings, wellness exams, birth control, STI tests, and more. In fact, one in three women in the US has been to a Planned Parenthood for care. So it kind of blows my mind that lawmakers are trying to permanently shut them down. They already passed a law that blocks patients that use Medicaid from getting the affordable preventative care they need, and now they want to make that law permanent. Nobody benefits when people are getting fewer exams, paying more for care, or just skipping the health care they need. And we know that's happening. Planned Parenthood health centers have reported that fewer patients are getting basic care like breast exams and STI tests since the Trump administration and their backers defunded Planned Parenthood. As a longtime defender of abortion access and reproductive health care access, I understand exactly how vital Planned Parenthood is in our communities. Patients shouldn't suffer because of their laws. Our communities deserve better to get involved. Text update to 22422 this week at

[B]

Safeway and Albertsons, 6 to 16 ounce selected varieties of strawberries, raspberries or blackberries are $1.99 each limit three member price with coupon and extra meaty pork back ribs or St. Louis style spare ribs bone in previously frozen are $2.99 per pound limit four member price with coupon plus medium avocados, colored bell peppers or English cucumbers sold by the each or tomatoes on the vine or sweet onions sold by the pound are $0.99 member price. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways

[A]

to save for adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms, every choice matters. Tremphya offers self injection or intravenous infusion from the start. Tremphya is administered as injections under the skin or infusions through a vein every four weeks, followed by injections under the skin every four or eight weeks. If your doctor decides that you can self inject Tremphya, proper training is required. Tremphya is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Serious allergic reactions incorporated, increased risk of infections or lower ability to fight them and liver problems may occur before treatment. Get checked for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu like symptoms or need a vaccine. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about tremphya today. Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit tremphyaradio.com. I want to pick up on something you said, Spencer. You said something was minimal and I actually want to correct you and say I think it's meaningful. We often try so hard to do the big sweeping changes that we forget how those incremental changes add up. And when you referenced the building the ramps, I think one thing people don't often understand in the United States is that in the ADA there was an exemption that said that polling places like churches, that churches didn't have to comply with ADA requirements with accessibility requirements. And a lot of communities use churches as polling places, which means that those very polling places that could lead to the advocacy changes that are needed for legislation to work are not accessible by the voters who need to use them. And one way to solve for that are these ramps that you talk about. So building a wooden ramp at a church could change who gets to become the mayor or the city council member or state legislator. And that could actually create the long term change. So minimal and meaningful are the same thing. In this case the other piece that that you referenced and I want to just lift this up. When you talked about the Curbside voting, Marlene. And I apologize because, you know, voting rights are my passion. Yeah, we talk about voting rights, there are three things. Voter suppression exists. It's can you register and stay on the rolls? Can you cast a ballot and does that ballot get counted? Well, you cannot register and stay on the rolls if they make it difficult for you to prove who you are. So when you hear about the citizenship, the proof of citizenship, I would love for you to talk for a second about why that creates a such a barrier for so many communities writ large, but in particular the disability community. But I'm going to add to that that one of the ways you can cast a ballot is being able to do curbside voting, Dropbox voting. Because when someone has to take your vote for you, they need a convenient way to do it. And that vote by mail, if they change the rules, if the Supreme Court rules that vote by mail is not lawful for millions of disabled Americans, they will not be able to have those votes counted. And so I would just love for a second for you to Marlene, to respond a bit to why the attacks on voting rights and under the guise of making voting safer are actually ways to stop millions of Americans from participating.

[C]

It's total disenfranchisement. I mean, it just is, you know, vote by mail or even voting online like individuals Americans are able to do when they live overseas. Right. The military played a key role during COVID in the election in Massachusetts. The P and A there was successful in filing a claim in state court and then federal court that ultimately required the state to allow access to that online voting for people with disabilities that couldn't leave their home. It gives you the ability to participate as a citizen of this country. Right. It's. It's democracy. That's what it is. I'm an immigrant. I'm a naturalized citizen. Voting to me is central to everything. It's central. I came from Cuba where I don't have a right to pick and choose. Right. And so when we say that you need to prove your citizenship and you have all these requirements for all this paperwork, and let's say I live out in a rural America and I've lost my birth certificate and I have to drive hundreds of miles, right, to find to get a copy of my birth certificate, but I don't have transportation because I have a disability and public transportation doesn't go out where I'm at, that just disenfranchised me.

[A]

Exactly. Spencer, you've built a huge platform by bringing disability representation to TikTok and showing millions of people, what life in the disabled community actually looks like. How has social media opened avenues for people in your community to connect and to feel visible?

[D]

Yeah, you know, I think for so long, we didn't have control of the narrative in our own story. Everyone else got to tell our story for us, and they often got it wrong or they told it in a way that made us seem as we're inspirations or that there was pity involved. And what I think is really been fantastic about social media is that it allows us to control the narrative. It allows us to tell our own story in a way that isn't harmful, that is helpful, and gives people a real picture of what that looks like. And that's what I try to do with my content. Specifically, as someone who, you know, intersects between being queer and disabled and some people that blows their mind that, like, disabled people are also queer. Like, you know, we are the whole spectrum of individuals. And so being able to use social media to show people what that looks like and to give them examples of the joy that comes along with being disabled and queer, but also the challenges that come along with being disabled and queer is so great. But I think the largest thing is, number one, that we get to tell our own story, and number two, that we get to connect. I think that was one of the most beautiful things that we saw come out of COVID is the disability community knew what to do right away. They knew how to organize right away. They knew how to come together right away. They knew how to get masks to people. They knew how to work with ventilators. There were so many things that the disabled community helped save the rest of the world when it came to Covid. So social media has been a way for us to be able to connect and not only connect with each other, but connect with the world and take back that narrative. And that's what I try to do with my content, is to give people that real example and to also help people understand that we have internalized ableism that we're dealing with. So a lot of my content, too, is me talking about the things that I'm learning and unlearning about the world and about what's happening to our rights globally, but also in the United States, too. So it allows us to do that as well.

[A]

Well, Spencer, not only do you give people content and examples, you are on a show where we give them homework. And so I'm going to start with you, and then, Marlene, I'm going to come to you. We want our listeners to have homework. We want them to do something that helps people navigate where we are now and where we want to be. So give our. Give our audience some homework to do.

[D]

Yeah, I've got two things. The first is to please go research Judy Heumann and read her book, the Human Perspective. It's incredible. And, you know, she's considered the mother of the disability movement in the United States. And watch Crip camp on Netflix, so. And then read Tiffany Yu's book, the Anti Ableist Manifesto. I think it's such a great job of talking about our community and the basics of who we are and what we're looking for when it comes to allies. But the other thing that I would say on a very simple level is the next time that you are in a building where you are faced with an option of stairs, an escalator, or an elevator, and you have the ability to take the stairs or the escalator, do that and leave the elevator for the folks that need it. The same the next time you're in a public bathroom, if you don't need the accessible stall, don't use it. I don't have an option. I have the accessible stall or nothing. So I think those are some really simple things you could do on a basic level. And the last thing that I'll say is the next time you go to your favorite coffee shop or your favorite store and you notice that there are two stairs to get in there, ask why. I know that can be a little confronting for a lot of folks, but even just putting a little pressure, being like, hey, we have rules here in the United States that, like, this is illegal. And I think pushing people on. On why they're constantly choosing to keep people out, I think puts pressure on them to think about it deeply. So those are the things I threw a lot out there, but those are the things I would recommend.

[A]

Excellent. Marlene, what you got midterm year?

[C]

Educate yourself. Figure out what the rules are for accessible voting. Ask the questions. Become a volunteer at your polling place. You know you want to be able to support the disability community, and this is a great way of doing it. Join calls to find out what accommodations are available at the polling site. Volunteer to take someone to the polling site. There are so many ways to get involved and while getting involved, ensuring that everyone has access to the polling site, everyone can cast their ballot, and that they can vote independently and privately.

[A]

Spencer West, Marlene Salo, thank you both so much for joining me today on Assembly Required.

[C]

Thank you.

[D]

Thank you.

[A]

As always. And Assembly Required, we give you actionable tools to help make a difference. First, be curious. Follow Spencer west on Instagram spencer2 the west and expand your list of trusted creators and journalists who cover this important topic. Our guest recommended some excellent books and movies that will help us learn more about the fight for disability justice and we'll include them in our show notes on the cricut media website. Number two let's solve problems. Visit the National Disabilities Rights Network at ndrn.org to learn more about specific issues impacting disabled communities and how to call your representative and ask them to take action at the state, local or federal level. If you are disabled and need assistance, NDRN can also help you with legal advocacy services and of course, please consider donating to the organization. And third, let's do some good. Look for local organizations in your community dedicated to disability justice. For example, New disabled [e-mail] has upcoming remotely accessible events dedicated to driving awareness and action around issues like voting rights and ICE enforcement, both of which have unique impacts on disabled communities. So find an organization near you and get involved. Thank you to those of you who have shared your questions and comments about the recent Supreme Court decision on voting rights via my substack assembly notes, Crooked Media's Discord and other platforms. Keep the questions and comments coming and tell others about us and add us to your feed. Let me know which episodes resonate and what you want to learn more about. That wraps up this episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams. Do good out there and I'll meet you here next week. Simply Required is a Cricket Media production. Our show is produced by Lyna Minkowski and Farah Safari with Katie Long and Adrienne Hill. Our team includes Matt de Grode, Ben Hethcote, Kirill Palaviv, Jordan Cantor, Charlotte Landis and Jay Banks. Our staff is proudly unionized with the Writers Guild of America east.

[B]

This week at Safeway and Albertsons. Six to 16 ounce selected varieties of strawberries, raspberries or blackberries are $1.99 each. Limited limit three member price with coupon and extra meaty pork back ribs or St. Louis style spare ribs bone in previously frozen are $2.99 per pound limit four member price with coupon plus medium avocados, colored bell peppers or English cucumber sold by the each or tomatoes on the vine or sweet onions sold by the pound are $0.99 member price. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save.