Navigating Disability
What if the conversation around disability focused on possibility instead of limitation?
Welcome to the Navigating Disability Podcast Show, hosted by Kate Read, a passionate advocate dedicated to changing the narrative around “normal” and “ability.”
Each week, Kate sits down with inspiring guests to explore lived experiences, expert insights, practical advice, and powerful stories from across the disability community. From advocacy and education to honest discussions about systems, supports, and real-life challenges, this podcast is about helping people feel informed, empowered, and connected.
Whether you’re living with disability, supporting a family member, working in the sector, or wanting to better understand the journey — this podcast is for you.
So get ready to be inspired, informed, and reminded that you are not navigating this journey alone.
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Navigating Disability
Between Two Worlds: A Journey Through Profound Differences and Finding Her Voice
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What does it mean to feel different, even within the community where you're supposed to belong?
In today's episode, Navigating Disability seat with Fiona Fonti, a dedicated advocate for disability rights and accessibility. Fiona works to raise awareness about the challenges many face and the importance of inclusive spaces.
From the age of three, Fiona Fonti navigated the world as a profoundly deaf person. But her journey toward connection was far from straightforward. Growing up, she encountered a surprising isolation: upon finding the deaf community, she discovered that not all deaf experiences are the same. Communication styles varied, and she often felt caught between worlds—not quite fitting in, and yet not like the hearing world either.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about burn out and overwhelmed experience due to medical conditions. Please take care while listening.
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In this intimate conversation, Fiona opens up about the loneliness of that "in-between" space and the lifeline that was her two deaf siblings, who provided a unique sanctuary of understanding. She also shares a pivotal, recent chapter: her diagnosis with ADHD combined type, which added a new layer to her understanding of self.
This is not just a story about deafness. It's a universal story about identity, the search for belonging, and the families—both chosen and given—that help us find our voice. Join us as Fiona Fonti shares how she transformed her experience of profound difference into a powerful force for advocacy and self-acceptance.
Connect with Fiona Fonti:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionafonti?igsh=MXIwdTV3d3dkMmtnZQ==
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionafonti