Podcast aims to shatter stereotypes about living with a disability
CBC
A new podcast aims to highlight the struggles two Edmonton friends face as people living with disabilities.
Carly Neis is an actor with cerebral palsy, and Laurel Carter is an event planner with visual impairment. The two have launched the podcast Disabled as Folk.
"Just because we're disabled folks doesn't necessarily mean it always has to be a soppy story," Neis told CBC Edmonton's Radio Active.
Carter and Neis are using their podcast to showcase disability through education and a whole lot of humour.
"We wanted people to be able to get to know us on a personal level, as well as kind of learn about disability, in a less formal or aggressive way," Carter said.
"We're just trying to find humour in all the weird nuances of living with disability."
The podcast is split into three episodes, with a focus on bullying, language and what "ableism" means in today's day and age.
In the first episode the co-hosts tell their personal stories. They bring in guests for the remaining episodes.
"A lot of our conversations basically boiled down to how we're shoved in a box, have certain expectations, and how we break through that box," Neis said. "We're working really hard to change that outlook."
Through their podcast, they hope to challenge stereotypes about people living with disabilities.
"I think the big one for both of us is obviously we're both able to hold down jobs," Neis said. She said that's possibly the biggest stereotype that she and Carter have to spend time disproving.
Another stereotype: having able-bodied friends when society expects you not to.
"There are different things you have to navigate, but it's just like anyone else. We just need different accommodations to help with our access needs." Neis said.
Although Disabled as Folk got a three-episode grant from Telus Storyhive, the two hosts have plans to keep the show going.
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.