Life to the Max Podcast

Combating Isolation in the Milwaukee Disabled Community

• The QuadFather

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We're joined by two passionate disability inclusion coordinators from Milwaukee's Jewish Community Center who share their mission of creating meaningful opportunities for adults with disabilities. With over 150 programs annually, they're focused on what truly matters: combating isolation and ensuring people with disabilities have authentic life experiences and community connections.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when we explore the hierarchy of accessibility needs. Should there be an "extreme handicap" designation for those with severe mobility limitations? While acknowledging the frustration of seeing accessibility features misused, our guests remind us about the danger of making assumptions when "we don't know everybody's story." This tension between advocating for those with significant needs while respecting invisible disabilities highlights the complexity of creating truly inclusive spaces.

We also explore Milwaukee's accessibility landscape, from retrofitted historic buildings to the new downtown tram called "the Hop" that's revolutionizing mobility. 


What emerges is a powerful reminder that disability advocacy isn't just about physical access—it's about belonging. As someone paralyzed from the neck down and breathing through a machine, I've learned that breaking through walls means refusing to let obstacles define your path. Whether you're part of the disability community or an ally, this episode will challenge you to see accessibility in a new light.

Subscribe now and join our growing community of listeners who believe in living life to the max, regardless of the barriers we face. And please, take a breath for me.

Speaker 1:

What's up, guys? As you can see, we're not in the studio at home. We're actually at the Abilities Expo in Chicago, and this podcast is going to be a little different. It's going to be like a speedcast. The sound is not going to be as great because of how wide open this space is, but I hope you guys enjoy it. Please enjoy this. Lif to the max speedcast. What is up, everybody? It's life to the max podcast and we are at Abilities Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois. It is Friday, June 20th, and today I have two special guests that wanted to be on the podcast and I'm going to learn a little bit about them. How are you guys?

Speaker 2:

Doing good. We're doing great. We're excited to be here, yeah.

Speaker 1:

What made you guys Doing good? We're doing great. We're excited to be here. What made you guys come out?

Speaker 3:

So we work for the Jewish Community Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and we run the disability inclusion programming throughout our whole agency. So we came down to learn more about different opportunities and we provide about 150 opportunities for the adults throughout the year. So we are really just trying to learn more about how we can make our program more accessible for our adults Trying to like network.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, exactly so in 2018, I did a speech to the blind actually it was in Milwaukee to in Milwaukee, really, yes, the IBVA or something, I can't remember the organization but I did a speech and I told them, like, if you ever get into a situation where a wall is in between you a brick wall you don't just stop it, you break through it. That's how you do it and you don't just stop it.

Speaker 3:

You break through it. Yeah, that's how you do it.

Speaker 1:

And you know they all clapped for me and I told them like I'm paralyzed from the neck down, breathing through a machine, but that doesn't stop me from following my dreams, doing what I love to do, and I don't get all the excuses and I should know if this is you but they gave me the perspective and the perception of life where I was like, holy crap, man, I'd rather be paralyzed than blind. We all lift each other up. It's amazing, exactly happy that you guys are helping the disabled community, because we're like the last, we're the last like to be helped. You know, like whenever something happens, something big happens. So what would you say you're most passionate about, both of you guys?

Speaker 3:

I think I'm going to speak for myself, but I think combating isolation for these folks and giving them a real life experience and being able to have the opportunities that we all have and giving them community so that the community sees them, and that we need to create accessible spaces no matter where we are.

Speaker 1:

Would you guys now let me bounce something off of you, okay. So, like I, there are people who are paralyzed with the handicap, like sticker, obviously, like I think there should be like an extreme handicap, what, what? Like uh Blackard which sounds weird, but hear me out Like I've been to like like Bulls games and stuff and I'll go there and they're like there's this guy walking with a cane, like, and he's in the front of the building and I'm like okay, well, like I think I've like somewhat like deserved a little bit to like be in the front of you see what I mean. Like because the handicap, like even people walking get a black card, it's crazy. But like we have to have to help out, like the people that are disabled and I understand those people are disabled. But what would you guys think about like an extreme handicap time?

Speaker 3:

Well, I do think that people abuse getting the handicap sticker and I always get so frustrated when people park in the handicap spot and I see them get out and they are like able bodied and able to move, but going back like we don't know everybody's story. So, I don't like to judge people, but it's definitely frustrating when, or like when, the handicap doesn't have enough space to let down a ramp into the next parking slot. I'm like why this isn't accessible at all. So I mean yes.

Speaker 1:

I agree with you.

Speaker 3:

I definitely agree with you that there should be more accessible areas 100% and is Milwaukee pretty accessible.

Speaker 2:

I'd say you live downtown. Yeah, I'd say overall, um, it's done a good job of retrofitting buildings and becoming more accessible with all the new development that's happening. There's definitely older spots of the town that are still inaccessible, but overall I think that it's a decent city to live in. With a disability.

Speaker 1:

My sister told me it's more of a newer city than Chicago.

Speaker 3:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Is what you attest to that.

Speaker 3:

Well it's, it's really small, so it's you don't have as many places to go. But, like recently, we had a downtown tram built. It's called the Hop and that makes the downtown area a lot more accessible. I think our Milwaukee public bus system does really well with accessibility and our bus drivers helping the community members get on and off the buses, but there's definitely a lot more that can happen.

Speaker 1:

I agree. I'm happy Milwaukee is doing well for the disabled community. Is there anything you guys would want to say to anybody out there that's listening that could possibly motivate?

Speaker 3:

or inspire them. We're definitely going to share this with our participants and get them to listen to you. Thank you for having us on. We really appreciate it, of course.

Speaker 1:

Please like, comment and subscribe if you can, and please take a breath for me. Thank you. Yes, we for me. Thank you.

Speaker 3:

Yes, we definitely will All right. Thank you, Yep thank you.