KPFA - Pushing Limits

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) currently has 65,765 people locked in their detention warehouses. We wondered how many were disabled and what the conditions are for them. We wanted to find out what is being done to keep people out of detention centers in the first place. We went looking. A team of disability advocates visited ICE detention centers throughout California to advocate for better conditions, the abolition of solitary confinement and more. Richard Diaz from Disability Rights California (DRC), who led the team, explains what they found. They’ve released reports documenting the condition of those with disabilities in the facilities. In L.A. a disability peer group helps its members with the immigration process, obtaining assistive technology, and hosts support groups. We talk with Jose Luis-Jimenez, who’s in a leadership role with Immigrants with Disabilities. Jose also organized an international goalball tournament in Southern California as the Trump administration made it harder for foreigners from certain parts of the world to visit the U.S. This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton, hosted by Bonnie Elliott, and edited by Denny Daughters. If you would like DRC assistance with a loved one in an ICE detention center, contact Richard Diaz at (213) 213-8000 For a full program transcription, click here The post Disability, Immigration and Detention – Pushing Limits – August 28, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

The current state of disability rights wouldn’t be what it is without the rich history and the strong individuals who pushed the movement forward. But what about the future? Who is propelling us into the next era of disability rights? Ryan Manriquez On this week’s program, Dominick Trevethan attempts to answer that question by interviewing two of his peers. His guests, Ryan Manriquez and Sarah Bellish, both live with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, and they want more from our current systems. Listen in as they discuss the changes they hope to see in the coming years and outline how to fight for the future we want. Ryan Manriquez is a disability justice advocate, a graduate of UC Davis and UC Berkeley, and, as he puts it, a “transit nerd.” Working in the Bay Area, he hopes to use his lived experience as a person with a disability to push for more accessible housing, public transportation, and government-funded medical research. Sarah Bellish is the Senior Manager of Advocacy at Cure SMA, where she works in public policy to help push vital disability legislation through the doors of Congress. Issues important to her include increasing the current SSI Asset Limit, making it safer for those with disabilities to fly, and improving the current state of accessible public transportation. We’ve come this far. So, where do we go next? Find out on Pushing Limits! This program was hosted and produced by Dominick Trevethan. Editing by Dominick Trevethan and Denny Daughters. For a full program transcription, click here Relevant Resources: Cure SMA Cure SMA Advocacy How to become a Cure SMA Advocate Sarah Bellish The post SMA Voices, Disability Rights – Pushing Limits – August 14, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

What did it take for blind people to gain access to computers before modern day screen readers and smartphones? Join Denny Daughters as he talks with Mike Tanner, a blind educator who teaches blind and visually impaired students in Southern California, about the evolution of adaptive technology for the blind. From the first scanning and reading machines of the 1970s to groundbreaking devices like the Apple IIe, VersaBraille, and early PCs, they explore the innovations that opened the door to education, employment, and independence. This first installment traces the history of adaptive technology from the early 1970s through about 1990. It’s the beginning of a series exploring the evolution of technology that has transformed life for blind people. This program is hosted, produced, and edited by Denny Daughters. For a full program transcription, click here The post The History of Adaptive Technology for the Blind (Part 1) – Pushing Limits – July 31, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

How do new technologies, shifting laws, and global politics affect the lives of disabled people — sometimes in ways we don’t see coming? Pushing Limits continues its coverage of breaking developments in the disability community. This week, we look at the growing role of artificial intelligence in schools, state budget concerns, and new disability-related laws. Also under the microscope is the lingering impact of Trump-era policies. Plus, don’t miss a sobering look at why it can be especially dangerous to be disabled in Myanmar. This program is co-hosted by Talia Thompson Mariano and producer Eddie Ytuarte. Stories in this program with links for further exploration: 1. Teachers use AI for IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) https://cdt.org/insights/from-personalized-to-programmed-the-use-of-generative-ai-to-develop-individualized-education-programs-for-students-with-disabilities/?ref=disabilitydebrief.org 2. Sign language in Britain https://bda.org.uk/bsl-is-not-for-sale/?ref=disabilitydebrief.org 3. Disability in Myanmar https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc61crp1-hidden-crisis-disability-rights-post-coup-myanmar-advance 4. State summary of some legislation plus budget https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/public-policy/2025-end-of-session-wrap-up 5. State cuts disaster aid https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/state-cuts-program-for-people-with-disabilities-in-disasters-advocates-alarmed 6. Trumps attack on disability attorneys https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/14/americans-disabilities-trump-budget-cuts/87686476007/ 7. Transpersons https://dredf.org/protect-trans-rights/ 8. “Life After” film For a full program transcription, click here The post Shifting Ground: Disability, Policy, and Power – Pushing Limits – January 23, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.