
The Relay Race of Leadership and Legacy: Bridging Generations with Words of Unity, Advocacy and Disability Awareness
In this episode of ‘Pushing Forward with Alycia‘, host Alycia welcomes Theo Braddy, a prominent disability rights advocate and executive director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). They discuss the significance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and the barriers people with disabilities face, often highlighting the importance of changing societal attitudes. Theo shares his journey from being paralyzed at 15 to becoming a leader in the disability rights movement. The conversation delves into the influence of pioneers like Justin Dart and Ed Roberts, and the evolving challenges in disability rights, including potential legislative rollbacks. The episode emphasizes the need for collective action, bridging generational gaps, and passing the baton of advocacy to ensure future progress.
A Quote from Theo
Ableism is our greatest challenge. You can improve physical barriers, but it’s a hard thing to change people’s attitudes about people with disabilities. Because they have been conditioned to believe a certain way about people with disabilities for a long time, based on a whole bunch of misconceptions and myths.
~ Theo Braddy
Ideas Worth Rewinding
🌟 A Leader in Advocacy
🌍 Inclusion: A Growing Necessity
⚠️ Marginalized Groups Under Attack
💡 The Real Barrier for People with Disabilities
🕰️ Forgotten Struggles: A Generational Disconnect
🚫 Confronting Ableism and Changing Worldviews
✊ The Fight Against Regression
💔 Finding Unity in Tragedy
🇺🇸 The Surprising Unifier: Trump
🌱 The Power of Lived Experience
🪞 Reflecting on Movements and Mentorship
❤️ Relationships with People with Disabilities Matter
📚 Leadership: Caught or Taught
🛡️ Protecting What We’ve Earned
🌉 Bridging Generations for Unified Progress
🤝 Unite Generations for Success
🔥 Empowerment and Passing the Baton
Press Play Roadmap
00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia
00:25 Highlighting National Disability Employment Awareness Month
00:56 Introducing Mr. Theo Braddy
02:32 Overcoming Societal Barriers and Ableism
04:33 The Importance of Interaction and Relationships
05:41 Changing Worldviews and Internalized Ableism
07:37 Mentorship and Leadership
10:01 Reflecting on Disability Rights Movement
15:44 Bridging Generational Gaps in Advocacy
19:30 Generational Divide and the Need for Unity
19:56 Reflecting on Disability Rights and Progress
20:44 Current Threats to Disability Rights
22:36 Institutionalization and Legal Challenges
25:03 The Importance of Collective Action
28:27 The Role of Allies in Advocacy
30:38 Finding Unity in Common Causes
34:06 The Fight for Inclusion and Equity
37:03 Passing the Baton to the Next Generation
38:40 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
Connect with Theo Braddy

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