Our Ability Podcast | Disability in the Public Square
Our Ability: Disability in the Public Square is a first-of-its-kind daily podcast that applies a disability lens to mainstream news, entertainment, and public policy. Each episode takes one story from the day's news cycle and asks the question no one else is asking systematically:
"Where are people with disabilities in today's story — and how are we being framed?" - John Robinson
The show treats disability not as a niche personal issue but as a civic, mainstream subject — as central to public life as race, gender, or class.
Episodes
24 episodes
Technology, Purpose & Possibility: Todd Stabelfeldt's Story
In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson talks with entrepreneur, technologist, and C4 Consulting founder Todd Stabelfeldt.Todd shares his journey as a C4 quadriplegic, how he built a successful business...
Mobility Roadside Assistance: From an Overlooked Need to an International Service
In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson sits down with fellow entrepreneur Jim Speer, founder and CEO of Mobility Roadside Assistance. Jim shares how a conversation with a wheelchair user at a VA hospital insp...
From Microsoft to Workday: Why Disability Belongs in the AI Hiring Conversation
AI is transforming how companies find and screen job candidates- but what happens when disability isn’t properly represented in the data? In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, we explore Our Ability’s collaboration with M...
Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story
Edited Audio - In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson reflects on the documentary Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story and the unexpected way it changed his life. What began with a conversatio...
Why Section 508 Exists, abli.ai, and Beta testing
What happens when you can’t see the words on a page, hear the lyrics in a song, or navigate a website? You’re not missing convenience- you’re missing information. That’s why Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act exists: to require accessible di...
From Camp Companions to Civil Rights Activists
John reflects on disability history after re-watching the documentary, Crip Camp. He discusses how Camp Jened gave young people with disabilities the opportunity to make friends, increase their independence, and provide a sense of belo...
Sub Minimum Wage Discussion with John Robinson and Advocate David Pinno
In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John speaks with advocate David Pino about disability employment, subminimum wage, and the importance of meaningful opportunities to work and live independently. David shares his experience ab...
Bringing the Heat: The Rise of Stacked
What happens when a personal challenge leads to an unexpected entrepreneurial opportunity? This episode highlights Drew Davis, founder of Stacked Hot Sauce, a disability-owned business that grew from a school project into a million dollar brand...
Understanding Disability Employment, Section 503 and the Impact of Changing Federal Requirements
Recent changes to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act have removed the seven percent workforce benchmark, disability self-identification requirements, and related reporting requirements for federal contractors and subcontractors. In this epis...
Examining Disability, Entrepreneurship and the Need for Greater Opportunity
This episode of Disability in the Public Square explores entrepreneurship as a potential and often necessary pathway for people with disabilities facing barriers to traditional employment. John discusses what the true unemployment rate is for t...
John's Driving Story and Adaptive Mobility Equipment Information
In this episode, John shares his experience learning to drive and reflects on how access to adaptive technology shaped his work and daily life. The conversation also explores mobility equipment for wheelchair and scooter users, including vehicl...
IDEA now overseen by HHS Department
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is now overseen by the Health and Human Services Department. Listen to hear John's thoughts regarding this change.
A look at NYS Employment, Preferred Source and the need to Check and Balance - Revised
What happens when a program designed to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities becomes permanent?In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson takes a closer look at New York’s Preferred...
Adaptive summer camps, how our co-hosts met, Blaise's experience at camp
Today we will tell you the story of Camp Simcha, an adaptive summer camp in Upstate New York. John and Blaise will comment on their experiences with summer camp and why attending is so important.
Florida's 2026-2027 state budget
John explains why Florida's new state budget may not be enough to meet the growing need for home and community-based support. He explores what shrinking federal support could mean for state and local governments, disability organizations,...
Trump's recent legal opinion, A slippery slope
Today on Disability in the Public Square, Ann breaks down the Trump administration’s June 2026 legal opinion. John shares his perspective on the opinion and explores its potential implications for disability rights.
Cory Lee, Adaptive Sports and Attending the Paralympics
Today on Disability in the Public Square, you'll hear a story about Cory Lee, and his advocacy for accessible travel. John will discuss his participation in sports and reflects on witnessing the Paralympics.
Disability owned business and contracts, Eric Street
On this episode, John shares information and his perspective on disability owned businesses, contracts and loans. We also discuss Eric Street, an entrepreneur who started a successful and unique business following a severe stroke.
36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Today, we discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act, its recent anniversary, what changes were made, and what work still needs to be accomplished to help the disabled community. We also introduce Annie Burdick, an occupational therapy student...
Disability Employment NYS Session
Blaise Bryant talks about the NYS legislature not advancing disability employment priorities this legislative session. He also explores the barriers for advancing progress and how this can change. June 4th 2026
Inertia, Subminimum Wage and New York State
Presently, New York State is in a state of inertia when it comes to eliminating subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities. This inactivity has increased in the past six mon...
Blaise's Introduction and Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Blaise Bryant, as stated on LinkedIn, is a communicator, podcaster, advocate, voiceover artist, digital accessibility consultant, and Dad. Blaise joins Disability in the Public Square on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, WCAG 2.1 and w...
R-Word, Sydney Sweeney, The Rock and a Road with Bad Intentions
Disability in the Public Square take a look at the "R-Word" and the use in today's society. A quick Google search shows you how often famous people are using the word and the implications for all of us.
From Soap to Vintage License Plates, a New Disability Economy? | Pilot 1
How is disability represented in society today? With over 20% of the world's population is individuals with disabilities, 20% of media coverage is not about people with disabilities. John Robinson and Blaise Bryant will discuss and reflect with...