Disability Daily Podcast
Discover a new figure or event in disability history each day!
Discover a new figure or event in disability history each day!
Episodes

Jun 14, 2025
June 7: Robert Smithdas
Jun 14, 2025
Jun 14, 2025
3 min
Transcript
Today we remember Robert Smithdas, American educator and poet considered the first deaf-blind person in the United States to earn a master’s degree!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
2017 Robert Smithdas, and William B. Wait induction
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 14, 2025
3 min

Jun 14, 2025
June 6: Gideon Glick
Jun 14, 2025
Jun 14, 2025
3 min
Transcript
Today we celebrate hard of hearing actor Gideon Glick!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
The Queer, Half-Deaf Actor Redefining the Idea of a Leading Man - The New York Times
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 14, 2025
3 min

Jun 10, 2025
Jun 10, 2025
7 min
Transcript
Today we celebrate politician and polio survivor James Glenn Beall, hard of hearing anthropologist Dr. Ruth Benedict, poet with osteogenesis imperfecta Philippe Rahmy and Deaf sound artist Christine Sun Kim!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
Glenn Beall, Former Senator From Maryland, Is Dead at 76 - The New York Times
Benedict, Ruth Fulton - Deaf Suffragists/Activists
Philippe Rahmy’s Extraordinary Portrait of Pain - The Arts Fuse
Christine Sun Kim: The enchanting music of sign language | TED Talk
Christine Sun Kim Performs the National Anthem / Super Bowl LIV
How I became an artist: Christine Sun Kim | Art Basel
An Artist Expands the Landscape of Sound - The New York Times
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 10, 2025
7 min

Jun 4, 2025
June 4: Susan Sygall
Jun 4, 2025
Jun 4, 2025
4 min
Transcript
Today we celebrate Susan Sygall, American disability rights activist, MacArthur Fellow & co-founder and CEO of Mobility International USA!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
Susan Sygall - MIUSA (Mobility International) in Eugene, Oregon
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 4, 2025
4 min

Jun 3, 2025
June 3: Curtis Mayfield & Anderson Cooper
Jun 3, 2025
Jun 3, 2025
5 min
Transcript
Today we celebrate quadriplegic and diabetic amputee musician Curtis Mayfield & dyslexic journalist Anderson Cooper!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
A talk with Curtis Mayfield
Anderson Cooper
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 3, 2025
5 min

Jun 3, 2025
June 2: Dr. Harry Lang
Jun 3, 2025
Jun 3, 2025
4 min
Transcript
Today we celebrate Deaf American scientist, science educator, and historian, Dr. Harry Lang!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
Profile: Harry Lang
Dr. Harry G. Lang receives Schuchman Deaf History Award
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 3, 2025
4 min

Jun 1, 2025
June 1: Andrew Foster & Dr. Kellie Lim
Jun 1, 2025
Jun 1, 2025
4 min
Transcript
Today we celebrate the Father of Deaf Education in Africa, Andrew Foster & triple amputee & pediatrician, Dr. Kellie Lim!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
Andrew J. Foster: Missionary, Educator, and Advocate
32nd CSUN Assistive Technology Conference - Keynote (Dr. Kellie Lim)
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 1, 2025
4 min

Jun 1, 2025
May 31: Hale Zukas & Rosa May Billinghurst
Jun 1, 2025
Jun 1, 2025
6 min
Transcript
Today we celebrate disability rights activist with cerebral palsy Hale Zukas & disabled British suffragette & polio survivor Rosa May Billinghurst!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
Berkeley disabled rights activist finds overdue spotlight in documentary ‘Hale’
Meet the Berkeley Man Who Helped Lead the Disability Rights Movement | KQED
ADA Pioneer, HALE ZUKAS.
Watch HALE | Prime Video
Rosa May Billinghurst — Google Arts & Culture
Overlooked No More: Rosa May Billinghurst, Militant Suffragette
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 1, 2025
6 min

Jun 1, 2025
May 30: Halderman v. Pennhurst filed (1974)
Jun 1, 2025
Jun 1, 2025
3 min
Transcript
Today we recognize the filing of Halderman v. Pennhurst State School and Hospital in 1974.
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
Halderman v. Pennhurst State School & Hospital - Disability Justice
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 1, 2025
3 min

Jun 1, 2025
May 29: Dr. Harold J. Conn
Jun 1, 2025
Jun 1, 2025
3 min
Transcript
Today we celebrate Deaf American agricultural bacteriologist Dr. Harold J. Conn!
----
Hello and welcome to the Disability Daily Podcast! I’m your host, Katie, and over the past couple years, I’ve worked on a 365-day calendar that recognizes different folks and key moments in disability history each day of the year. I’m turning this into a quick daily podcast, and I’m excited to share this with you!
If you’re committed to learning more about disability and accessibility, please subscribe to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and share with friends.
See the Disability Daily Calendar (work on it is always ongoing!)
---
Learn more:
Harold Conn
Conn, Harold J. | Gallaudet University Library Guide to Deaf Biographies and Index to Deaf Periodicals
Song: "It's Kinda Beautiful" by Water Mirrors from Epidemic Sound
Jun 1, 2025
3 min



