ABLE Voices Podcast

Dr. Rhoda Bernard, founder and managing director of the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs is proud to present and host our debut episode of the ABLE Voices podcast featuring artists and arts educators with disabilities. We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Our first guest is Matt Savage, who will be our guest host in upcoming episodes.

Savage is a pianist, composer, bandleader, and music educator on the autism spectrum who has played professionally since childhood. He has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, and Chaka Khan. He has recorded more than a dozen albums and teaches at colleges in Boston and New Hampshire.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 1 - Matt Savage [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guest hosts for the ABLE Voices podcast. Our first guest podcast host is Matt Savage, a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and music educator on the autism spectrum. In Episode 2, Savage will be interviewing Wayne Pearcy, a trumpeter, cornet player, and Berklee alum who has been blind from birth. A professional composer and performer, Pearcy records and performs in both jazz and classical music idioms.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 2 - Wayne Pearcy [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guest hosts for the ABLE Voices podcast and our first guest podcast host is Matt Savage, a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and music educator on the autism spectrum. For episode 3, Savage will be speaking with Nick Gusman, a singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist on the autism spectrum. Gusman has performed and collaborated with a number of high profile artists including Stephen Stills, Elliot Easton, and Syd Straw.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 3 - Nick Gusman [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our first next guest is Sophia Grech, who will also be our next featured guest host on the next upcoming episode releases. Grech is an internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano on the autism spectrum. She has performed at leading concert halls, opera houses, and international festivals worldwide and has given master classes around the world. She graduated from the Royal College of Music in 1995. In 2015, Grech was diagnosed with autism and is now a leading ambassador on behalf of associated organizations in addition to her performing career.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 4 - Sophia Grech [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Sophia Grech. For today's episode, Grech will be talking with Tony Rudd, a British radio host, impressionist, actor, and author with autism.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 5 - Tony Rudd [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Sophia Grech. For today's episode, Grech will be talking with Mark Beer, a renowned British actor of stage and screen who was born with cerebral palsy.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 6 - Mark Beer [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Sophia Grech. For today's episode, Grech will be talking with Lucy McCarthy, a British professional photographer and disability rights advocate with several invisible disabilities including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 7 - Lucy McCarthy [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our first next guest is Precious Perez who will also be our next featured guest host on the next upcoming episode releases. Perez is a vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, published children's author, and a disability rights advocate. Perez is a classically trained, pop, R&B, and Latin vocalist and has a double bachelor's degree in music education and vocal performance from Berklee College of Music. Perez is blind and her goal is to demonstrate that visually impaired and disabled individuals are as capable as anyone else in achieving their dreams.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 8 - Precious Perez [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is Precious Perez, a blind vocalist, songwriter, and disability rights advocate. For today's episode, Perez will be talking with Dan Romero (Label) and Isaac Malik Wilson (Question), both blind producers, musicians, and rappers. They both currently write and produce music for their collaboration, "Blind and Famous."

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 9 - Dan Romero and Isaac Malik Wilson [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is Precious Perez, a blind vocalist, songwriter and disability rights advocate. For today's episode, Perez will be talking with Shane Lowe, percussionist, host of the Talking Head Podcast and founder of Venom, a network of original media, streaming, radio, and podcasting.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 10 - Shane Lowe [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is Precious Perez, a blind vocalist, songwriter, and disability rights advocate. For today's episode, Perez will be talking with John Dowling Jr., a blind country singer, songwriter, and multi -instrumentalist.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 11 - John Dowling [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's guest, Adrian Anantawan, will also be our next guest host. Anantawan is a world-renowned violinist, music educator, and disabilities advocate and was born without a right hand.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 12 - Adrian Anantawan [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's guest host is Adrian Anantawan. Anantawan is a world-renowned violinist, music educator, and disabilities advocate and was born without a right hand. Today's guest is Ellice Patterson. Patterson is the founder and executive and artistic director of Abilities Dance, a Boston-based dance company that welcomes artists across the nation with and without disabilities.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 13 - Ellice Patterson [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's guest, Noah Britton, will also be our next guest host. Britton is diagnosed with autism and is a comedian, cofounder of the comedy troupe Asperger's Are Us, psychology professor, and musician.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 14 - Noah Britton [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's host is Noah Britton. Britton is diagnosed with autism and is a comedian, cofounder of the comedy troupe Asperger's Are Us, psychology professor, and musician. Our guest for today's episode is Robert Jensen. Robert is a visual artist of various capacities, a sculpture maker, metal worker, jewelry designer, and music venue owner. Jensen is paraplegic and lost use of his legs following an accidental spinal injury.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 15 - Robert Jensen [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's host is Noah Britton. Britton is diagnosed with autism and is a comedian, cofounder of the comedy troupe Asperger's Are Us, psychology professor, and musician. Our guest for today's episode is Glen Maganzini. Maganzini was diagnosed with autism and is the founder of the Boston-based musical group G. Gordon Gritty, guitarist of Johnny and the Foodmasters, and cofounder of record label and festival Kids Like You and Me (KLYAM).

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 16 - Glen Maganzini [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Renata Da Costa, will also be our next upcoming guest host. Da Costa is a Brazilian is a children's author, actor, teacher, photographer, artisan, and writer. Da Costa is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 17 - Renata Da Costa [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Our guest host for today is Renata Da Costa. Da Costa is a Brazilian children's author, actor, teacher, photographer, artisan, and writer. Da Costa is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. For today's episode, Da Costa will be interviewing Beatris Hoffmann, a Brazilian author, screenwriter, ghost writer, journalist, actor, and visual artist. Hoffmann has a condition called nystagmus.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 18 - Beatris Hoffmann [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Grace Everett, will also be our next upcoming guest host. Everett is an award-winning playwright, actress, and singer. Everett is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by Daniel Martinez del Campo, BIAAE's operations coordinator. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Levin and Batista are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 19 - Grace Everett [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Grace Everett, an award-winning playwright, actress, and singer. Everett is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. For today's episode, Everett will be interviewing Meredith Aleigha Wells. Meredith Aleigha Wells is a queer and disabled performer, writer, creator, and educator based in Chicago and is best known for their performance as Punky Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical, marking the first performance by a wheelchair user in a Broadway national tour.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 20 - Meredith Aleigha Wells [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Grace Everett, an award-winning playwright, actress, and singer. Everett is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. For today's episode, Everett will be interviewing Grace Douglas. Douglas is a blind freshman studying at the University of Souther Illinois to obtain a B.F.A. in musical theater. Douglas is a musical theater performer and dancer with an interest in sound design.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 21 - Grace Douglas [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Grace Everett, an award-winning playwright, actress, and singer. Everett is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. For today's episode, Everett will be interviewing Autumn Best. Best is a TV, film, and stage actress, as well as a singer and writer based out of New York. Best, who has a limb difference, has been performing on stage since she was 4 and is excited for others to see someone who looks like them on screen. She wants to be a role model for those who have a disability looking to pursue their dreams.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 22 - Autumn Best Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Megan Bent, will also be our next upcoming guest host. Megan Bent is a lens-based artist interested in the malleability of photography and the ways image-making can happen beyond using a traditional camera. This interest started to occur after the diagnosis of a progressive chronic illness. She is drawn to image-making processes that reflect and embrace her disabled experience; especially interdependence, impermanence, care, and slowness.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 23 - Megan Bent Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Megan Bent. Bent is a lens-based artist interested in the malleability of photography and the ways image-making can happen beyond using a traditional camera. This interest started to occur after the diagnosis of a progressive chronic illness. She is drawn to image-making processes that reflect and embrace her disabled experience; especially interdependence, impermanence, care, and slowness. For today's episode, Bent will be interviewing Moira Williams. Williams (they/them) is a disabled Indigenous artist, cross-disability cultural activist, and access doula; they cocreate and weave disability justice together with crip celebratory resistance and environmental justice. Williams believes in access as art and “access intimacy” as an attitude are needed to push beyond the limitations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 24 - Moira Williams Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Megan Bent. Bent is a lens-based artist interested in the malleability of photography and the ways image-making can happen beyond using a traditional camera. This interest started to occur after the diagnosis of a progressive chronic illness. She is drawn to image-making processes that reflect and embrace her disabled experience; especially interdependence, impermanence, care, and slowness. For today's episode, Bent will be interviewing Jeff Kasper. Kasper is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and educator working in public art, design, and social engagement. He creates pedagogical tools, text-based projects, social spaces, publications, games, exhibitions, community education, and workshops, often in partnership with organizations. Much of his recent work examines the dynamics of social support, proximity, and safety, with a focus on how people practice care and collaboration, especially in times of conflict and crisis.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 25 - Jeff Kasper Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Megan Bent. Bent is a lens-based artist interested in the malleability of photography and the ways image-making can happen beyond using a traditional camera. This interest started to occur after the diagnosis of a progressive chronic illness. She is drawn to image-making processes that reflect and embrace her disabled experience—especially interdependence, impermanence, care, and slowness. Whitney Mashburn is a Boston-based independent curator and writer, working at the intersection of contemporary art curation and accessibility activism. Her current project, a living archive entitled "Holding Space," bears witness to the lived experiences of those marginalized by chronic illness, through community interviews, art works, and manifestos. The project received an inaugural Sustaining Practice grant from the Collective Futures Fund for 2021–2022, and 2022–2023. She is the 2021–2022 Curator for Art Beyond Sight's Art + Disability Residency. Since 2016, she has been actively collaborating with Vancouver-based social practice artist, Carmen Papalia, on the tactile aesthetics project, "Let's Keep in Touch" (2016–present), setting precedents for haptic criticism in contemporary art. Her current research investigates tactile aesthetics, chronic illness, social accessibility, disability activism in curating, meaningful inclusion, environmental justice, and the role of dialogue in social practice and institutional critique.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 26 - Whitney Mashburn Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Jay Manuel will also be our next upcoming guest host. Manuel is a full-time music producer, content creator, and actor. He has worked with companies such as Coca Cola and Snapchat and his beats have been used by thousands of recording artists worldwide. Despite being hard of hearing and living with a rare brittle bone condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta type 3 and autism, Manuel has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and representing young professionals with disabilities in the music and industry.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 27 - Jay Manuel [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Jay Manuel. Manuel is a full-time music producer, content creator, and actor. He has worked with companies such as Coca Cola and Snapchat and his beats have been used by thousands of recording artists worldwide. Despite being hard of hearing and living with a rare brittle bone condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta type 3 and autism, Manuel has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and representing young professionals with disabilities in the music and industry. Our guest for today is Tyler Roy. Roy, also known as 902 Beats, is a producer, sound designer, and mixer out of Nova Scotia who was born with dystonia. Roy has been creating music, collaborating, and networking with various musicians through social media and an advocate for musicians and artists with disabilities.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 28- Tyler Roy [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Jay Manuel. Manuel is a full-time music producer, content creator, and actor. He has worked with companies such as Coca Cola and Snapchat and his beats have been used by thousands of recording artists worldwide. Despite being hard of hearing and living with a rare brittle bone condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta type 3 and autism, Manuel has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and representing young professionals with disabilities in the music and industry. Our guest for today is Sabeerah Najee. Najee is a DJ originally from Long Beach, California, and an experienced performer and recording artist. A power wheelchair user, Najee lives with spina bifida and is a self-professed accidental advocate for disabilities rights. Najee is also a program producer at Accessible +, an immersion opportunity for BIPOC people with disabilities to experience the Coachella Festival, build community, and come together to discuss festival accessibility and learn about professional opportunities in the live event industry.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 29 - Sabeerah Najee [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Jay Manuel. Manuel is a full-time music producer, content creator, and actor. He has worked with companies such as Coca Cola and Snapchat and his beats have been used by thousands of recording artists worldwide. Despite being hard of hearing and living with a rare brittle bone condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta type 3 and autism, Manuel has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and representing young professionals with disabilities in the music and industry. Our guest for today is Danny Spivak. Also known by his stage name "Ditch the Ego," Spivak is a producer, engineer, recording artist, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. He has lived with PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders and has used music as a platform to heal, inspire, and connect with others.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 30 - Danny Spivak [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Alex James Kennedy, will also be our next upcoming guest host. Kennedy is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher from the northeast of England. Kennedy suffers from a rare muscle wasting condition known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but turns this into a positive, channelling his pain into writing music. Kennedy is also the singer for the world's first DMD-fronted alternative rock band known as Alex James, challenging the preconceptions of rock music, bringing wheelchairs onto the stage and advocating for change in the music industry.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 31 - Alex James Kennedy [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is U.K.-based musician, Alex James Kennedy. Kennedy is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher from the northeast of England. Kennedy lives with a rare genetic muscle wasting condition called Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). For today's episode, Kennedy will be speaking with Miss Jacqui. Miss Jacqui is a poet, songwriter, spoken word artist, and facilitator. An experienced performer and recording artist, Miss Jacqui believes music is a universal language and knows a great deal about working with the cards that you are dealt. She is someone who always tries to challenge societal perceptions, like what it actually means to be a black woman with a disability. A wheelchair user herself, Miss Jacqui wants her poetry and music to help her listeners to see the world differently, and to inspire others to feel confident in being themselves.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 32 - Miss Jacqui [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Alex James Kennedy. Kennedy is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher from the northeast of England. Kennedy suffers from a rare muscle wasting condition known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but turns this into a positive, channeling his pain into writing music. Kennedy is also the singer for the world's first DMD-fronted alternative rock band known as Alex James, challenging the preconceptions of rock music, bringing wheelchairs onto the stage and advocating for change in the music industry. Today, Kennedy will be interviewing Sanjeev Mann, also known by his stage name, Supermann on da Beat. Mann is a Scottish and South Asian music producer, hip-hop artist, content creator, and disability advocate. Like Kennedy, Mann also lives with DMD. Mann works as a freelancer with various companies including Drake Music Scotland and BBC Social, and also runs Hip Hop Scotland, a platform for local hip-hop artists.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 33 - Sanjeev Mann [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is UK based musician, Alex James Kennedy. Alex James is a singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist and teacher from the northeast of England. Alex lives with a rare genetic muscle wasting condition called Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). For today's episode, Alex will be speaking with Taylor Grace. Taylor Grace is a vocalist of UK based hard rock band "Not Now Norman." Having lived with disabilities since childhood, Taylor Grace transforms her pain into songwriting, singing and performing on stage. An advocate for artists with disabilities, Taylor has been diagnosed with autism and lives with a condition called hereditary multiple exostoses.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 34 - Taylor Grace [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Laurence Clark, will also be our next upcoming guest host. Laurence Clark is an award winning stand up comedian, actor, a performer, screenwriter and playwright who is based in the UK. Laurence is also the chair of Triple C, a community interest company led by disabled artists. Triple C aims to drive up the role of disabled people in the performing arts, and the role of the performing arts in the lives of disabled people. Triple C also runs the disabled artists network community (DANC) project, which provides an extensive program of networking events, mentoring and masterclasses for disabled artists and other artists.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 35 - Laurence Clark [Full Transcript]

Laurence Clark is an award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, performer, screenwriter, and playwright based in the U.K. Clark is also the chair of Triple C, a community interest company led by disabled artists. Triple C aims to drive up the role of disabled people in the performing arts, and the role of the performing arts in the lives of disabled people. Triple C also runs the disabled artists network community (DANC) project, which provides an extensive program of networking events, mentoring, and master classes for disabled artists and other artists. Today, Clark will be interviewing Annalisa Dinella. Dinella is a British film and TV writer, most notably for the shows Sex Education, Ralph and Katie, and The Break. Dinella is visually impaired and lives with a rare inherited degenerative condition called retinitis pigmentosis, which leads to vision loss.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 36 - Annalisa Dinella [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Laurence Clark. Laurence Clark is an award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, performer, screenwriter, and playwright based in the U.K. Clark is also the chair of Triple C, a community interest company led by disabled artists. Triple C aims to drive up the role of disabled people in the performing arts, and the role of the performing arts in the lives of disabled people. Triple C also runs the disabled artists network community (DANC) project, which provides an extensive program of networking events, mentoring, and master classes for disabled artists and other artists. Today, Clark will be interviewing Melissa Johns. Johns is a British actress best known for her roles in Coronation Street, Life, and Grantchester. She is also the cocreator of TripleC, an organization that supports disabled people accessing the performing arts. Johns was born without her right forearm and hand.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 37 - Melissa Johns [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Laurence Clark. Clark is an award winning stand-up comedian, actor, performer, screenwriter, and playwright who is based in the U.K. Clark is also the chair of Triple C, a community interest company led by disabled artists. Triple C aims to drive up the role of disabled people in the performing arts, and the role of the performing arts in the lives of disabled people. Triple C also runs the disabled artists network community (DANC) project, which provides an extensive program of networking events, mentoring and master classes for disabled artists and other artists. Today, Clark will be interviewing Cherylee Houston. Houston is a British actress known for her roles as Izzy Armstrong in BBC’s Coronation Street, Britain's longest-running soap series, and as Maz, a character in Houston’s BBC Radio 4 comedy series Tinsel Girl. Houston is a self-professed accidental advocate and activist for neurodivergent and disabled artists and works to raise awareness for accessibility issues. At 23, Houston was diagnosed with the rare connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Type II hypermobility type. She has used a wheelchair ever since.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 38 - Cherylee Houston [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest is Anna Cowley Ford. Anna Cowley Ford is a postdisciplinary artist from rural West Texas. Using her experiences living with chronic health conditions as a touchstone, Ford explores the often bizarre world of living with chronic pain and disabilities. Along with manifesting sensory experiences, her artwork conveys the social and domestic impacts of health conditions on a chronic scale. Ford's practice includes but is not limited to functional and sculptural ceramics, textiles, large scale installations, video, and accumulated medical objects and documents. Today, Ford will be interviewing Finnegan Shannon. Finnegan Shannon is an American multidisciplinary artist located in Brooklyn, New York, United States. Working primarily on increasing perceptions of accessibility, Shannon's practice focuses on disability culture in inaccessible spaces. Shannon is most known for their protest pieces such as art gallery benches criticizing lack of seating and lounges for those who cannot access stairs.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 39 - Anna Cowley Ford [Full Transcript]