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In this episode of Where the Ramp Ends, Bryce Wooten sits down with Morgan Davis, a passionate disability advocate living with cerebral palsy. They explore Morgan's journey through advocacy, the importance of representation, accessibility, and how societal perceptions shape experiences for people with disabilities.
Main Topics:
Morgan Davis’s advocacy journey and leadership programs like YLF and Partners in Policymaking
The social model of disability and the importance of representation in media and education
Practical and simple accommodations for accessibility in daily life and work
The concept of dignity of risk and independence for people with disabilities
The intersection of disability with race, identity, and DEI efforts
Challenges in transportation, healthcare, and the financial burdens faced by the disability community
Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction to Morgan Davis and her advocacy background
(02:04) - How leadership programs like YLF and LEND shaped Morgan’s advocacy skills
(08:05) - Key lessons Morgan wishes she could tell her younger self
(09:32) - Advice for parents of children with disabilities starting their advocacy journey
(10:11) - The analogy of moving leaves on the road as advocacy in action
(13:32) - The high cost of transportation when attending college with a disability
(15:30) - Financial burdens and employment barriers faced by people with disabilities
(18:49) - Simple accommodations such as glasses and voice-to-text technology
(22:45) - The importance of proper resources and awareness of assistive technology providers like AbleTech
(35:21) - Challenging misconceptions: disability as part of DEI and social inclusion
(43:01) - Morgan’s reflections on her journey from disinterest to empowerment through knowledge
(47:01) - The importance of mentorship and representation in media and society
(49:27) - The need for accurate media portrayals of disability and social model understanding
(50:04) - Addressing the stigma around dating and relationships with disability
(54:26) - Personal story of taking Julia to the bowling alley and advocating for her independence
(58:23) - Dignity of risk: empowering people with disabilities to make their own choices
(61:13) - Morgan’s legacy and her hopes for future advocacy impact
(63:38) - Final thoughts from Morgan on her journey and encouragement for others
Resources & Links:
Morgan Davis Instagram
Oklahoma AbleTech
Disability Rights Movement history
Partners in Policymaking
Connect with Morgan Davis:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Additional Notes:
Morgan emphasizes that disability rights and understanding must be integrated into education at all levels, advocating for universal design and early representation. She also highlights the personal and societal benefits of viewing disability through the social model lens—a view that society's barriers, not individual impairments, create disability. Her inspiring journey encourages ongoing advocacy, representation, and compassion to foster inclusion and dignity for all.
You can find all of Where The Ramp Ends links including contact information here:
https://www.fixfinderusa.com/other-services/where-the-ramp-ends