Biking While Blind

Photograph of Bobby McMullen and guide biking (courtesy of Poison Oak Productions)

Listen

After countless broken bones, a double organ transplant and sight loss, Bobby McMullen doesn't just ride his bike; this daredevil is a human cliffhanger.

He joins Pushing Limits hosts, Raphaella Bennin and Leah Gardner to talk about his life and the documentary based on his mountain biking exploits, The Way Bobby Sees It.

It’s blind biking, so hold onto your chairs; we're in for a bumpy ride.
Original air date: 1-5-10

Beyond the IEP

(Individualized Educational Program)

Listen

Cynthia Molina and Christine Zimmerman, mother-advocates for students with disabilities in Oakland's Programs for Exceptional Children talks with cohosts Eddie Ytuarte and Leah Gardner. What is it in the institutional culture that helps students succeed beyond the Independent Educational Program.

With a commentary by Shelley Berman on the upcoming elections.

KPFA

Photo: Three young children face a teacher with her hands up, palms out.
Their faces reflect excitement, withdrawal & caution.
Courtesy Furman University Libraries, Special Education Resources.

Original air date: 10-29-10

Breaking the Ice

LISTEN 29 min

Photo of dancer, Gregory Jordan.

After hundreds of years of stigma and exclusion, people with cognitive disabilities are out and about in our communities. Many work at jobs with able-bodied co-workers and live independently, or in small group homes, in many neighborhoods.

We visit a class where people with limited speech are learning to choreograph and dance to Taiko drumming from a couple of grandmothers. Then, we talk to Josh Elwood, our sound engineer, who is both a client and board member of the non-profit, Clausen House.

Photo: Gregory J. poised with right arm up, finger pointing, toes turned out.

More guests: Gregory Jordan, Janis Danker, Christy Reed, Peter Brooks, &
Jessica Stiebenmorgen
from Clausen House.
Annie Ong of Heiwa Taiko Drums.
Eric Kupers & Mantra Plonsey of Dandelion Dancetheater.

Photo L to R. Josh Elwood, Adrienne Lauby (sound tech) Gregory Jordan.

Interviews by Josh Elwood, Shelley Berman & Adrienne Lauby.

Hosted by Raphaella Bennin.

Photos By Shelley Berman

Photo: Members of Hawa, Drumming

L. Vera Leo, Center, Annie Ong Class dancing as seen thro wall mirrors.

Watch the dancer's most recent performance: "Speed"

Pushing Limits Radio Joins Facebook

Pushing Limits has joined facebook with an official fanpage!

If you are a member of facebook, please join the conversation by "like"ing our page. From there, you let us know about topics Pushing Limits Radio should cover in future shows, or share your thoughts about topics presented on previous shows. We would love to hear from you and, this way, you will be sharing your thoughts with the Pushing Limits listener community as well!

You can find us by clicking here, clicking on the "like" button below, or by searching for "Pushing Limits Radio (KPFA)" on facebook.com.

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Community Voices

Listen 29 min
Do candidates running for state offices have a disability rights agenda or awareness? We polled candidates for governor. The Peace and Freedom Party and Libertarian Party responded.

People in substance abuse programs showed up in numbers at Wednesday's large protest of the California budget proposals.
Photo: 28 people holding 18 boxes of letters inside the state capital building.
They brought the 4,000 letters defending the Drug Medi-Cal program, the result of a massive street mobilization by addicts from the Oasis Community Clinic in Oakland. Sacramento addicts also joined the protest.


Are you a danger to people with disabilities when you are driving? Check your habits here.

And, the ongoing mobilization against P.G. & E.'s so-called Smart Meters shuts down a warehouse in Santa Cruz County.

http://stopsmartmeters.org

Eddie Ytuarte and Adrienne Lauby host.

Photo: Gathering signatures for drug treatment programs. Three women on street corner.

Gustopo Tactics Against IHSS Users & Workers

Modesto Bee article

Turning the Ship of State

LISTEN 28 min

Policy vs Protest. Insiders vs Outsiders.
(R to L) Sunaura Taylor, Jessica Lehman, Marianna Ruybalid surrounded by police. Photo by Jameson Ligni

We look at this centuries-old debate as it plays out for people with disabilities in California's budget debate.

The Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision ruled that people with disabilities have a right to remain in their communities, even if they need government services to do it. But, how can people with disabilities manifest the promise of Olmstead while slogging through the stagnant politics of Sacramento?



Guests:
Mary Lou Breslin, long time disability activist, senior policy analyst & co-founder of the Disability Education and Defense Fund (DREDF).

Mary Lou Breslin as a young activist

Bancroft Library Photo

Sunaura Taylor, one of 23 arrested for blocking a street in front of the state capital two weeks ago. Sunaura is a member of Communities United in Defense of Olmstead (CUIDO), the group who organized the Arnieville protest.

Adrienne Lauby and Eddie Ytuarte host.