Twenty-First Century Disability

Let's be honest. Life with a disability can be difficult. Luckily, we are living in the twenty-first century. This podcast is about how living in the modern world has helped people with disabilities to have fairly "normal" lives. Join me as we explore why this is and as I try to look at disability from a social model perspective and change how the world sees disability.

Twenty-First Century Disability is a education podcast hosted by Hollis Peirce, with 41 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Hollis Peirce hosts Twenty-First Century Disability, a education show with 41 episodes published.

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  Episode #2

  People for a Reason, People for a Season — A Conversation with Daniel Hodges

  Sep 29, 202644 minS6

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 21st Century Disability, I sit down with Daniel Hodges, who grew up in northeastern Ohio and now lives in Texas. Daniel lives with retinitis pigmentosa and chronic pain, and throughout his life, he has had to navigate the physical and social barriers that can come with disability and chronic illness. One of the most unique parts of Daniel’s story is the number of places he has called home. Over the years, he has lived in 12 different U.S. states, sometimes returning to places he had previously lived. These experiences allowed Daniel to build a vast network of people who became an important source of support when he found himself falling through the cracks of society. That network also gave Daniel a different perspective on the experiences of others. As he encountered barriers in his own life, he became increasingly aware of the people around him who were experiencing similar struggles. We also talk about Daniel’s path through law school and the additional work that came with pursuing his education as a disabled student. Daniel did not simply have to complete his courses — he also had to work with his professors to figure out how those courses could be made accessible to him. In many ways, Daniel was doing two things at once: getting through law school while simultaneously building the accessibility he needed to get through it. His experience highlights how disabled people are often expected not only to navigate inaccessible systems, but to help create the solutions that allow them to participate in those systems in the first place. Daniel shares his belief that people come into our lives for a reason or for a season, but rarely forever. We discuss how the relationships we build can have a lasting impact, even when the people themselves may only be part of our lives for a limited period of time. Our conversation also explores how Daniel has overcome physical barriers associated with his disabilities and chronic pain, while continuing to build a life on his own terms. Daniel is also the founder of the Peaces of Me Foundation, an organization dedicated to erasing the stigma surrounding disability and chronic illness through inclusiveness. We discuss the importance of creating spaces where people with disabilities and chronic illnesses are not defined by stigma, but welcomed as full and valued members of their communities. In this episode, we talk about: Living with retinitis pigmentosa and chronic pain Moving between 12 different U.S. states Building a support network across different communities What happens when people fall through society’s cracks How our own experiences can help us recognize barriers affecting others Daniel’s path through law school Advocating with professors for accessible courses and learning environments The additional work disabled students can face beyond completing their coursework Building accessibility while simultaneously navigating inaccessible systems Overcoming physical barriers created by disability The relationships that shape our lives Daniel’s belief that people come into our lives for a reason or a season Disability, chronic illness, inclusion, and stigma The Peaces of Me Foundation Creating more inclusive communities Connect with Peaces of Me Foundation Learn more about the Peaces of Me Foundation and follow their work: Website: peacesofme.org Instagram: @peacesofmefoundation Facebook: Peaces of Me Foundation X (Twitter): @PeacesofMeFdn LinkedIn: Peaces of Me Foundation ️ Listen to the full conversation with Daniel Hodges on 21st Century Disability. #21stCenturyDisability #Disability #Accessibility #DisabilityAwareness #RetinitisPigmentosa #ChronicIllness #Inclusion #DisabilityRights #LawSchool - Connect with us on social media to share your thoughts about this episode. Instagram: @21stcenturydisability Facebook: Twenty-First Century Disability Bluesky: @21centdisability.bsky.social TikTok: @21stcenturydisability LinkedIn: Hollis Peirce - Use the hashtag #21stCenturyDisability to join the discussion online. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on upcoming episodes and events by clicking here: https://www.21stcenturydisability.com/contact !

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  Episode #1

  From the Classroom to Kill Tony: Yehee Son, Math Teacher by Day, Comedian by Night

  Sep 15, 202637 minS6

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 1: From Math Class to Kill Tony: Yehee Son Finds Her Funny Welcome back to Twenty-First Century Disability! We are kicking off Season 6 with a conversation with Yehee Son, a young comedian and math teacher from Houston, Texas who is quickly making a name for herself in the comedy world. Yehee has cerebral palsy and has been doing stand-up comedy for about a year. In that short time, she has already made two guest appearances on the popular comedy show Kill Tony. But this conversation goes far beyond comedy. Yehee and I talk about what it is like to enter the comedy world as a young disabled woman, finding your voice on stage, and using your experiences with cerebral palsy as part of your comedy. We also talk about her life as a math teacher and how she balances teaching during the day with pursuing comedy. We explore how being disabled and being Asian have each shaped Yehee's experiences throughout her life, and how those parts of her identity have intersected in ways that continue to influence how she sees herself and how others see her. We discuss the expectations, assumptions, and experiences that can come with navigating the world at the intersection of disability and Asian identity. We also get into some of the more uncomfortable realities that come with being a disabled person in the world, including the way strangers can respond to disability. We discuss the phenomenon of having people immediately “pray for you” simply because they see you as disabled, and what those kinds of interactions can say about the assumptions people make about disability. We then take a much closer look at what it actually takes for Yehee to get onto a comedy stage in the first place. While audiences may only see the few minutes a comedian spends performing, getting to that stage can be an entirely different experience for a disabled performer. Many comedy clubs are not physically accessible, meaning Yehee can be forced to rely on strangers to help her navigate spaces that were never designed with her in mind. We talk about what it means to have to surrender some of your body autonomy just to get onto a stage and perform, and the vulnerability that comes with having strangers physically handle your body. That vulnerability can become even more serious when accessibility intersects with sexual harassment and safety. Yehee shares her experiences and perspectives surrounding inappropriate behaviour from staff and even members of the crowd, and we discuss how being physically dependent on other people can create situations where disabled people are especially vulnerable. At the heart of the conversation is a question that extends far beyond comedy: What does it actually mean to have the freedom to participate when the spaces around you are not accessible? Yehee's story is funny, candid, uncomfortable, and ultimately a reminder that accessibility is about much more than simply being allowed through the front door. It is about being able to participate with dignity, autonomy, and safety. Join us for the Season 6 premiere of Twenty-First Century Disability as Yehee Son takes us from the math classroom to the comedy stage — and gives us plenty to think about along the way. Hop in, let's go for a ride! Follow Yehee Want to keep up with Yehee and follow her comedy journey? You can find her on: Instagram: @heyms.yehee TikTok: @yehee Facebook: @HeyMs.CP - Connect with us on social media to share your thoughts about this episode. Instagram: @21stcenturydisability Facebook: Twenty-First Century Disability Bluesky: @21centdisability.bsky.social TikTok: @21stcenturydisability LinkedIn: Hollis Peirce - Use the hashtag #21stCenturyDisability to join the discussion online. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on upcoming episodes and events by clicking here: https://www.21stcenturydisability.com/contact !

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  Episode #9

  Is Disability a Part of Me or All of Me? A Conversation With Anna Schmid

  May 19, 202650 minS5

  Send us Fan Mail Guest: Anna Schmid Length: 49:33 Episode Summary: In this personal and reflective episode, we explore the question: Would we be the same people we are today if we did not have our disabilities? Rather than trying to answer that question all at once, we break the conversation down by different periods of our lives and reflect on how disability affected each stage. We look at childhood, elementary school, high school, university, work, and romance, asking whether those experiences shaped who we became and whether a non-disabled version of ourselves would feel like the same person. The episode begins with our earliest memories of disability and how we understood ourselves as children. We discuss family, elementary school, early friendships, and the first moments when we became aware that our experiences were different from those of our peers. From there, we move into high school and talk about how disability affected classes, social life, confidence, and interactions with classmates, including experiences with bullying. We reflect on how those years shaped our self-image, resilience, and sense of belonging. We then discuss university life, both inside and outside the classroom. We talk about accommodations, independence, friendships, navigating campus life, and the ways disability influenced our academic and social experiences. Throughout the episode, we also go on smaller tangents about occupation, career paths, and romantic life, considering how disability has affected the choices we made and the relationships we formed. The episode then moves into a more serious discussion about romance, dating, and relationships. We reflect on how disability can shape vulnerability, confidence, expectations, and the way we see ourselves as romantic partners. Following that conversation, we finish the episode by discussing whether or not our current careers would be the same if we did not have our disabilities. We consider how disability has influenced our career paths, choices, opportunities, and sense of purpose, and whether the work we do today is connected to the experiences we have had because of disability. Ultimately, this conversation does not offer one simple answer. Instead, it explores how disability has influenced who we are across different stages of life, from childhood and school to university, romance, and career. Maybe we would have been similar in some ways without our disabilities. Maybe we would have been completely different in others. The episode invites listeners to think about identity, memory, relationships, work, and the life experiences that shape who we become. Key Topics Covered: • Whether we would be the same people today if we did not have our disabilities • How disability shaped different periods of life, including childhood, elementary school, high school, university, work, and romance • Early memories of disability and beginning to understand difference during childhood • Experiences in elementary school, including friendships, school life, and early self-awareness • High school experiences, including classes, bullying, confidence, social life, and belonging • How disability affected university life both in class and outside of class • Navigating accommodations, independence, friendships, and campus experiences • Tangents on occupation, career paths, and how disability influenced work-related decisions • Reflections on dating, relationships, vulnerability, and romantic life • The complexity of imagining who we might have been without disability What You’ll Learn: 1) Disability can shape identity differently at each stage of life. 2)Childhood and elementary school experiences can influence early self-image and awareness of difference. 3)High school can bring unique challenges related to bullying, confidence, classes, and social belonging. 4)University can create new opportunities and challenges around independence, academics, friendships, and accommodations. 5)Disability can influence career paths, goals, and the way we think about occupation. 6)Romantic relationships can be deeply affected by disability, including confidence, vulnerability, and how we see ourselves as partners. 7)Asking whether we would be the same without our disabilities is complicated because disability can shape our memories, choices, relationships, and personality. 8)There may not be one clear answer, but reflecting on different life periods can help us better understand how we became who we are. Resources & Links: • Website: https://annaschmidspeaker.com • Substack: @lovelylotus247 • Instagram: @lovelylotus247 • LinkedIn: @annaschmid - Connect with us on social media to share your thoughts about this episode. Instagram: @21stcenturydisability Facebook: Twenty-First Century Disability Bluesky: @21centdisability.bsky.social TikTok: @21stcenturydisability LinkedIn: Hollis Peirce - Use the hashtag #21stCenturyDisability to join the discussion online. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on upcoming episodes and events by clicking here: https://www.21stcenturydisability.com/contact !

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  Episode #8

  Roddey Or Not, Work Has to Change

  May 5, 202637 minS5

  Send us Fan Mail Guest: Roddey Harb Length: 37:09 Episode Summary: In this episode, Roddey Harb discusses how big businesses are adapting—or still need to adapt—to create accessible offices. He notes that accessibility is not a single checklist item or a one-time accommodation, but an ongoing process of listening, responding, and changing how work is designed. As a change management consultant, Roddey helps employees navigate new policies, technologies, programs, and expectations. He explains that disabled people are especially skilled at this work because navigating inaccessible systems builds adaptability, problem-solving, resilience, and communication. These are the same skills organizations often look for when they are trying to guide teams through uncertainty or transformation. The conversation also explores mandatory in-office work and the barriers it can create, especially around commuting. In cities like Toronto and during Canadian winters, snow, ice, inaccessible transit, unsafe sidewalks, blocked curb cuts, parking barriers, and unpredictable weather can make travel unsafe. For many disabled employees, simply getting to work can require extra time, planning, energy, and risk that employers may not always recognize. Roddey’s reflections show that accessibility must go beyond office design to include commuting, safety, culture, flexibility, and hybrid work policies. True accessibility means considering the full employee experience, from leaving home to participating in meetings, collaborating with coworkers, and feeling included in workplace culture. His insights remind firms that flexible work is not just a convenience—it can be essential for equity, retention, and meaningful participation. Key Topics Covered: • Roddey Harb’s work in change management and accessible workplace practices• Why communication, adaptability, and lived disability experience are central to his work • How mandatory in-office days and commuting create major barriers for disabled employees • The risks of winter travel, inaccessible transit, parking, sidewalks, and curb cuts • How workplace inaccessibility affects belonging, inclusion, safety, policy, culture, and flexibility What You’ll Learn: 1)Change management helps workers adapt to new workplace systems, policies, and technologies. 2) Roddey explains how disabled people often develop strong adaptability skills through lived experience. 3)The episode discusses how major companies are improving accessibility, but still have gaps. 4)Mandatory office days can create barriers for disabled employees. 5)Commuting is a major issue, especially because of transit, parking, weather, snow, ice, and safety risks. 6)Accessibility is about more than the office — it includes flexibility, transportation, policy, communication, and belonging. Resources & Links: Connect with Roddey Harb on LinkedIn: https - Connect with us on social media to share your thoughts about this episode. Instagram: @21stcenturydisability Facebook: Twenty-First Century Disability Bluesky: @21centdisability.bsky.social TikTok: @21stcenturydisability LinkedIn: Hollis Peirce - Use the hashtag #21stCenturyDisability to join the discussion online. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on upcoming episodes and events by clicking here: https://www.21stcenturydisability.com/contact !

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  Episode #7

  More Than Mobility with Dr Zack Yarde: Why Accessibility Includes the Words We Read

  Apr 14, 202635 minS5

  Send us Fan Mail Guest: Dr Zack Yarde Length: 35:05 Episode Summary In this episode, Dr Zack Yarde explores accessibility from a broader, more inclusive perspective. While many people think of accessibility in terms of ramps, doorways, and office design, Zack explains that true inclusion goes much further — including the documents people read every day and the fonts those documents use. Zack reflects on when he realized this work would become his career and shares how his thinking shifted from the medical model of disability to the social model. That change reshaped not only how he understood disability, but also how he understood himself and his own lived experience. The conversation also examines what many workplaces still get wrong about inclusion, and why accessibility must be part of culture, design, communication, and systems — not just compliance. The episode also turns to one of Zack’s side projects: a book on accessibility in tabletop role-playing games. He discusses how villains are often written in ableist, simplistic ways, and why more complex, contextualized characters can make storytelling more thoughtful and inclusive. Finally, inspired by Zack’s LinkedIn post urging people not to default to Times New Roman, the episode explores inaccessible fonts, why font choice matters, and why Lexend is currently his preferred option. Key Topics Covered • When Dr Zack Yarde realized accessibility and disability inclusion would shape his career • What many offices still get wrong about inclusion • The shift from the medical model of disability to the social model • How this shift changed how Zack understands disability and himself • Zack’s upcoming book on accessibility in tabletop role-playing games • How villains are often depicted in ableist ways in games and storytelling • Why villains need more complexity and context • Accessible fonts and why font choice matters • Why Zack advocates moving beyond Times New Roman • Why Lexend is one of his favorite accessible fonts What You’ll Learn 1)Accessibility is more than physical accessZack highlights how inclusion also depends on communication, systems, and document design. 2)Models of disabilityThe episode contrasts the medical and social models of disability and how each shapes responsibility and barriers. 3)Changing self-perceptionZack reflects on how his understanding of disability changed how he saw himself. 4)Accessibility in tabletop gamesThe conversation looks at how tabletop role-playing games can be designed with accessibility in mind. 5)Rethinking villainsZack argues that villains are often written in ableist ways and should be more nuanced. 6)Accessible fontsHe explains why font choices matter and how text design can create barriers. Resources & Links • Connect with Dr Zack Yarde on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackyarde/ - Connect with us on social media to share your thoughts about this episode. Instagram: @21stcenturydisability Facebook: Twenty-First Century Disability Bluesky: @21centdisability.bsky.social TikTok: @21stcenturydisability LinkedIn: Hollis Peirce - Use the hashtag #21stCenturyDisability to join the discussion online. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on upcoming episodes and events by clicking here: https://www.21stcenturydisability.com/contact !

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