In Episode 58 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Alycia Anderson interviews Andraéa LaVant, a leading disability inclusion expert and president of LaVant Consulting. LaVant shares her journey from a young girl with spinal muscular atrophy, trying to hide her disability, to becoming an influential advocate and business leader. She discusses her struggles with systemic barriers, her career evolution, and her commitment to empowering others through disability inclusion and advocacy.
In Episode 58 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Alycia Anderson interviews Andraéa LaVant, a disability inclusion expert and CEO of LaVant Consulting. Andraéa discusses her journey with spinal muscular atrophy, her advocacy work, and her role in the documentary “Crip Camp.” The episode explores the importance of representation and intersectionality in disability advocacy, Andraéa’s experience at the Oscars, and her efforts to advance disability inclusion through her consulting work.
Angelea Yoder shares her journey and the inspiration behind her project “Let Them Stare.” Specializing in fashion and portraiture, Yoder, who lives with VACTERL and congenital scoliosis, aims to redefine beauty standards by highlighting diverse bodies. Her project includes a children’s book, “Look at Me, Look What I Can Do,” and an adult book, showcasing unique abilities and personal styles, promoting inclusivity in fashion.
In the latest episode of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Alycia Anderson talks with Angelea Yoder, a Nashville-based photographer who lives with VACTERL. Angelea shares her journey and the inspiration behind her project “Let Them Stare,” which aims to highlight diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry. Through her work, she seeks to empower individuals with disabilities and challenge perceptions. Angelea and Alycia discuss the importance of representation and the impact of art in fostering inclusion.
Alycia Anderson discusses accessibility in short-term rentals with Adam Norko and Lorraine Woodard from Becoming rentABLE on this week’s episode of “Pushing Forward with Alycia.” They highlight the struggles disabled travelers face and the importance of accessible accommodations. Lorraine shares her inspiration from personal experiences and the need for standardized accessibility features. Success stories underline the positive impact of accessible travel options, emphasizing the industry’s role in creating inclusive and welcoming environments.
Alycia Anderson discusses challenges disabled travelers face finding accessible lodging. She introduces Becoming rentABLE, speaking with founder Lorraine Woodward and hospitality expert Adam Norko. They cover the importance of accessibility features, share success stories, and emphasize the need for industry-wide standards. Lorraine shares her personal inspiration, and Adam provides industry insights, highlighting common barriers and evolving solutions in short-term rentals.
In episode 55 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Dhaval Patel, the founder and CEO of Lotus discusses his mission to develop technology optimized for disability, inspired by his personal experience with limited mobility. He explains how Lotus, a smart ring that controls home devices without apps or rewiring, makes spaces accessible. Emphasizing human-centered design, Patel shares the iterative development process and the product’s positive reception. The episode highlights the importance of inclusive technology and its broader benefits.
Dhaval Patel, founder of Lotus, discusses his commitment to accessible technology on “Pushing Forward with Alycia.” Inspired by personal mobility challenges, he developed Lotus, a smart ring for controlling home devices without apps or rewiring. Through human-centered design and extensive research, Lotus was created to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The product has received significant accolades and highlights the broader benefits of accessible design for everyone.
Alycia and Marty celebrate the one-year anniversary of the “Pushing Forward with Alycia” podcast, reflecting on their mission to amplify stories from the disability community. They highlight key guests, share impactful listener testimonials, and discuss their goals for inclusivity and empowerment. The episode underscores the podcast’s growth, featuring historic figures, allies, and influencers, and expresses gratitude to supporters and production team members, promising continued advocacy and expansion.
In Episode 54 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Alycia and Marty celebrate the podcast’s one-year anniversary, reflecting on its mission to amplify disability stories and transform challenges into opportunities. They highlight impactful guests like Chelsea Hill and Brad Parks, share listener testimonials, and discuss significant achievements. The episode concludes with plans for future growth, including launching a YouTube channel, and ends with a motivational message to keep pushing forward and never give up.
