We explore alliances between senior and disability communities. From the outside, it seems both groups would be perfect partners in advocating for social change.
Both groups are affected by challenges such as accessing accessible housing, healthcare, and transportation. Yet two systems of oppression, Ageism and Ableism, often impedes those alliances from being created.
We talk to people who have navigated these systems to build strong partners between these two communities.
Ashton Applewhite is an anti-ageism advocate, a person with a disability, and author of the book, This Chair Rocks and many other writings. She was named one of 50 most important voices in aging in the world by the U.N and World Health Organization.
Julie Reiskin is the Co-Executive Director of Colorado’s Cross-Disability Coalition. Her coalition has worked with senior groups throughout the state to advocate for laws to improve access to healthcare and housing.
Finally, we interview Kathleen Riel who has been a disability advocate in Santa Barbara for over 40 years. She will discuss her experience trying to build alliances with senior groups.
This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton with voicing and editing assistance from Mark Romoser and Sheela Gunn Cushman.