8 Disability Podcasts That Are Well Worth A Listen

There is at least one relatively new way that people with disabilities nearly anywhere to connect with a broader disability community, and that’s disability podcasting.

So many disabled people still lack practical access to the information, ideas, and culture shared by more connected members of the disability community. And until fairly recently, disabled people with something to share had few outlets to do so on any kind of meaningful scale.

The internet has changed things for both groups –– those looking for a disability community and those who want to help create it. Social media, blogging, and the growth of journalism and publishing from the disability community have added more ways to connect. Podcasting offers a unique and particularly enriching way for disabled people get information, emotional enrichment, and a more personal sense of connection, all from their own homes and devices.

Podcasting isn’t fully accessible to everyone in every case. But overall, the barriers to participation are low and gradually getting lower. You only need a few things to listen in.

The main thing you need is an internet-connected computer, tablet, or smartphone. Most people use apps made specifically for organizing and listening to podcasts on mobile devices. But most podcasts also make their episodes directly on websites, where listening is as simple as clicking a play button.

Creating your own podcast involved a bit more investment, but is still comparatively simple and inexpensive considering the potential impact.

You can start a podcast with just a smartphone, tablet, or standard computer. Most of these include internal microphones and a basic sound editing application. If you want to step up sound quality, you can invest in better external microphones, headphones, and more sophisticated editing tools. Lots of people start their podcasts with the basics and upgrade equipment later, once they confirm that they have an audience and want to continue. Especially devoted listeners may even make donations to help pay for equipment upgrades.

So what do disability podcasts offer to people with disabilities and and others interested in disability issues and culture?

Above all, podcasting is a relatively barrier-free way to bring disabled people together to discuss disability issues virtually, and share the conversations very widely. It’s certainly easier and more accessible than traveling hundreds of miles to meet with a few other disabled people you’re interested in, or a thousand miles to attend a major convention. For some disabled people, listening to a podcast on disability matters is more accessible than visiting a disability organization or service provider in their own home town.

And while getting a computer or mobile device and internet access costs money many can’t afford, even people with fairly modest incomes can now usually afford a basic smartphone packaged with a manageable cell phone service plan.

Before diving into the small but growing world of disability podcasts, here are a few things to look for in a podcast:

• Is it hosted and developed by disabled people themselves?
• Does it put out episodes on a regular basis?
• Are there noticeable and consistent themes, topics and tone of discussions?
• Is the overall quality good? Is it a pleasure to listen to?
• Is it interesting and entertaining enough to draw you in and make you want to listen, rather than just feeling you should listen?
• Are written transcripts provided to make it accessible to people with hearing impairments?

Once you have a device to listen with, you can start with a simple search. Type “disability podcasts” into your browser, or just “disability” or “disabled” into your podcast application’s search feature.

If you want a little more to go on than raw search results, here are brief profiles of 8 disability podcasts to start with:

The Accessible Stall

Website: The Accessible Stall

• Hosted by Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian – @emily_ladau and @ImNotKardashian
• 95 episodes, the first in April 2016, the latest in May 2021.
• Casual conversations and friendly arguments about both light and heavy everyday disability topics, with two good disabled friends who often have different takes on disability issues.
• Good episode to start with: Episode 87: Disability Etiquette
• Transcripts included.

The Disability Visibility Podcast

Website: Disability Visibility Project

• Hosted by Alice Wong – @DisVisability
• 100 episodes, the first in September 2017, the last in April 2021.
• In-depth interviews and discussions with disability community leaders and creators, on disability identity, culture, activism and politics, with an emphasis on intersections of disability and race, gender, sexuality, and other marginalized identities.
• Good episode to start with: Episode 21: Disabled Comedians
• Transcripts included.

Barrier Free Futures Podcast

Website: KSFR Santa Fe Public Radio

• Hosted by Bob Kafka
• Over 300 weekly episodes, the first in February 2015, the latest in June 2021.
• Interviews with disability activists and other disabled people in the disability community, on current disability issues, history and experiences.
• Good episode to start with: April 11, 2020 Crip Camp
• Shows posted after December 2020 have transcripts.

Down to the Struts

Website: Down to the Struts

• Hosted by Qudsiya Naqui
• 15 episodes, the first in October 2020, the latest in June 2021.
• A look at accessible design, both physical and cultural, from a wide variety of angles and voices.
• Good episode to start with: Episode 1: Getting Wise About Disability with Dr. Arielle Silverman
• Transcripts included.

Power Not Pity

Website: Power Not Pity

• Hosted by Bri M. – @powernotpity
• 12 episodes, the first in October 2017, the latest in March 2021.
• Exploring the full range of disability experience, particularly through the stories and work of disabled people of color.
• Good episode to start with: Episode 8: "Our Companion Animals, Our Selves" feat. Kay Ulanday Barrett
• Transcripts included.

Included: The Disability Equity Podcast

Website: Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

• Hosted by Bonnielin Swenor, Ph.D. and Nick Reed – @BonnieSwenorPhD and @NickSReed
• 17 episodes, the first in October 2020, the latest in June 2021.
• Discussions and interviews aimed at fighting ableist stereotypes and more fully understanding trends in disability issues and policy.
• Good episode to start with: Episode 13: Disability Data
• Transcripts included.

Disability After Dark

Website: Wheels on The Ground Productions and Andrew Gurza

• Hosted by Andrew Gurza – @andrewgurza_
• 334 episodes, the first in September 2016, the latest in June 2021.
• Frank discussions about sex, sexuality, relationships, and other aspects of the disability experience. Note: contains explicit language.
• Good episode to start with: Episode 247: Is Zach of The Try Guys Disabled? w/Zach Kornfeld
• No transcripts.

Ouch! … the cabin fever podcast

Website: BBC Radio

• Hosted by Beth Rose, Emma Tracey, Keiligh Baker and Kate Monaghan
• Hundreds of episodes going back to at least April, 2015 in the current format, and similar content from years before that, are available on the BBC website. The most recent episode is from June 2021.
• The BBC’s “Ouch!” Podcast in some form may be the first true disability podcast. It covers a wide range of disability issues, often more than one topic in each episode. It’s scope is global, but with a focus on the United Kingdom.
• Good episode to start with: May 2, 2019: 'I realised not everyone has to be a Paralympian'
• Transcripts included.

Start with whatever interests you the most, and go from there. Subscribe to the ones you like, listen to new episodes when they come out, and dig into their back episodes to see how each podcast has developed.

Finally, don’t be shy about reaching out and engaging with disability podcasters. While podcasts are more like radio shows than face-to-face meetings, they are meant to be interactive. Let these disabled creators know that you are listening and appreciating their work. Sincere feedback helps keep these free and incredibly valuable programs going. It also encourages the development of more disability podcasts, which is a win for the whole disability community.