The Advocado Press, Inc.

04/24/2025

My daughter, Junie, has multiple medical diagnoses that impact her ability to manage all the sensory input that surrounds her daily. One of her diagnoses is misophonia, a soft-sound sensitivity disorder that amplifies seemingly innocent sounds to…

04/24/2025

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04/21/2025

Last Friday, April 18th, the Advocado Press was proud to be participate in a panel discussion at the Portland Museum about the history of local Louisville publications. Mary Johnson, the creator and long-time editor of the Disability Rag, represented the Advocdo Press on the panel.

In the first picture, Mary sits on the right end of a table with four men to her left. From left to right, they are the panel moderator (a professor from the University of Louisville), a representative from Al Dia en America, a representative from the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, and a representative from Q***r Kentucky.

In the second picture, Mary Johnson takes her turn speaking to the audience. An ASL interpreter is seated in front of her to the right.

04/21/2025

The Demand and Disrupt Podcast now has a YouTube Channel. You can now listen to all the episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJiUBfUf-D0&list=PL4q1VD7de2PMwrQPmdH00OOdj_wa9_sK3.

And captioning is available!

July 27, 2022Dave Matheis is a lifelong advocate and Ally for people with disabilities. Despite not being disabled himself or having anyone in his family who...

04/21/2025

In Episode 52 of the Demand and Disrupt Podcast, Kimberly interviews Greg Traynor, who hosts the “Accessible Hunter” podcast, along with his partner Mike Hudson. Greg continues to reap the benefits of the great outdoors, and is an active hunter just as he was prior to becoming a wheelchair user. Grab a comfy seat (preferably on the front porch swing) as Greg describes his extensive hunting background, explains the incident which caused his paralysis, and details the specialized equipment he uses to effectively hunt. He also tells us how he formed a friendship with podcast cohost Mike, discusses the general purpose of the show, and enlightens us on some of the disabilities that have been represented among his guests.

These days, virtually anything is possible for individuals with disabilities, and outdoor recreation is no exception! Here to prove just that is this week's guest, Greg Traynor, who hosts the “Accessible Hunter” podcast, along with his partner Mike Hudson. Greg continues to reap the benefit...

04/17/2025

Save the date!
Image Description:
A clean, professional "Save the Date" flyer featuring a minimal, accessible design. At the top, bold black text reads "Save the date!!!" centered on a white background. Below that, in large capital letters, it says "Disability Advocacy Summit" in a modern sans-serif font.

The dates "October 15th–October 17th, 2025" are listed underneath in a slightly smaller font, followed by the event location in three lines:
The Henry Clay
604 S 3rd Street
Louisville, KY 40202

This central section is evenly spaced and centered, using black or dark gray text on a white background for high readability.

At the bottom, contact information for Sierra Potter is provided in a simple block format:
501 East Broadway, Suite 310
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: 502-589-6620 ext. 126
Email: [email protected]

04/17/2025

Free Screening of 'Crip Camp' Saturday

Join disability advocates from all over Louisville this Saturday for a free screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary film "Crip Camp," which tells the story of a group of teenagers with disabilities who found a sense of community and empowerment, leading them to become activists. This event starts Saturday, April, 19, at noon, at the Highview Arts Center (7406 Fegenbush Lane). Call to RSVP at 502-574-5636.

04/17/2025

04/15/2025

The Advocado Press and the Center for Accessible Living are proud to be part of CeLOUprint 2025 at the Portland Museum. Issues of the Disability Rag Magazine will be included in this exhibit of historical Louisville-based publications. The exhibit kicks off this weekend and runs through September. The kickoff weekend includes a number of festivities. On Friday evening, April 18th, the grand opening of the exhibit will be at 5:00. At 6:00, Mary Johnson, the creator and long-time editor of the Disability Rag, will be part of a panel of local press that will also include representatives from Q***r Kentucky, Al Dia en America, and the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage. The next day, Saturday, April 19th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the Portland Museum will host a day of hands-on printmaking, local art sales, and printing demostrations. The Advocado Press and CAL will have a table there to sell AP's published books. We hope you can make it!

(Flyer attached includes a drawing of two hands painting and the following text: April 18th 5:00-8:00 PM, Community Print Panel, Archival Exhibition, April 19th, 10-5, Local Artists, Collaborative Print Activities and Demos, Giant letterpress and BYO Woodcut)

04/14/2025

Are you thinking about working while on SSI or SSDI benefits?

Join us at the Center for Accessible Living at 501 East Broadway on Wednesday May 28th at 1:00 to learn about our Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Program (WIPA) from our Certified Benefits Counselor David Edwards as you navigate the process of working while on social security.

To register, email or call Chris Mattingly
[email protected]
502-537-0949

Center for Accessible Living
WIPA / Choices Navigator
Work Incentives Planning
and Assistance

The attached flyer contains the above text as well as the logo of the Center for Accessible Living.

04/06/2025

In Episode 51 of the Demand and Disrupt Podcast, Kimberly interviews another college professor. This time she talks with Dr. Kristel Scoresby, assistant professor of social work at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Scoresby is deaf and they discuss cochlear implants, accommodations, and universal design:

Kimberly talks with Dr. Kristel Scoresby, assistant professor of social work at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Scoresby is deaf, and they discuss cochlear implants, accommodations, and universal design. Visit Dr. Scoresby‘s ongoing website project at [Hearinglossimpact.com](https://www.hearinglos...

03/28/2025

The Center for Accessible Living hosted its second edition of the 2025 Speaker Series on March 26th at Spading University. The event was titled “A Strengths-Based Collaborative Approach to Inclusion for People with Disabilities. The presentation was led by Jack McPadden, a second year Doctoral Student of Clinical Psychology in Spalding University’s School of Professional Psychology. Drawing on his experiences as being fully blind along with his work in psychology. Jack presented and sparked a engaging and interactive discussion on topics such as inclusion in everyday life by using the HUMAN approach for inclusion of people with disabilities. H: Hearing U: Unpredictability M: Materials A: Assignments N: Narration
The event was attended by over 20 people including representatives from community services respresented such as the McDowell Center, a rehabilitation center for the blind, Bridgehaven, a mental health organization, and Louisville Metro government, as well as a number of people with disabilities.

Photographs by Ethan Quick

(Photo Descriptions:
Photo 1: Presenter Jasck McPadden (seated) and CAL IL Specialist Chris Mattingly (standing) in front of the room at the Spalding presentation).
Photo 2: An African-American participant at the presentation stands to talk to the group.
Photo 3: Nine participants in the audience listening to Jack McPhadden.
Photo 4: Grwg Willet (a causasian man in a power wheelchair) from Louisville Metro Government speaks at the presentation.

03/24/2025

We are very excited about the latest episode of the Demand and Disrupt Podcast, Is God Disabled?. It is an interview with Rabbi Julia Watts Belser who is the 2025 Grawemeyer Award winner for Religion. She is a professor of Religious Studies at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and the author of the book, “Loving Our Own Bones, Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole.” Here is the podcast link: https://demand-and-disrupt.pinecast.co/episode/9acf209f/is-god-disabled-, While in Louisville to receive her award, Rabbi Belser will deliver a public lecture at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary on April 8th. If you want to attend, the link to the registration for the event is in the episode notes.

Kimberly talks with self-described q***r, disabled, feminist, Rabbi, Julia Watts Belser. Her book, [Loving Our Own Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole](https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Our-Own-Bones-Subversiveness/dp/0807006750/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BGI7X5744T

03/20/2025

We Are Here All Year!
Council members Darrell Mattingly and Andrea Strassburg met with Senator Donald Douglas to talk about SB 43. One part of SB43 would Amend KRS 186.444 to create a medical review board for the purpose of considering a person's ability to drive due to a physical or mental disability.

03/18/2025

And don't forget about our financial workshop series with the Louisville Financial Empowerment Center. Register now!

Financial Workshop
Date: Monday, April 14th 2025
Time: 12:00 PM

Location: Center for Accessible Living, 501 East Broadway, Louisville KY 40202

Please join us at Center for Accessible Living for a free financial workshop presented by The Louisville Financial Empowerment Center. This is the first of three in a workshop series from FEC. Lunch will be provided

Managing money can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. The Louisville Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) provides free, professional, one-on-one financial counseling to help individuals and families take control of their finances. In this workshop, we'll introduce you to practical budgeting strategies and show you how the FEC can support you in achieving your financial goals.

The Louisville FEC is committed to providing judgement-free, accessible financial coaching to all Louisville residents. Whether you need help with budgeting, debt reduction, or improving your credit, our counselors are here to support you- at no cost!

To register for this event, call Chris Mattingly at 502-537-0949 or email him at [email protected].

This presentation is sponsored by the Center of Accessible Living and The Louisville Financial Empowerment Center

(Flyer contains above text and the logos for the Louisville Financial Empowerment Center and the Center for Accessible Living.)

03/18/2025

Our next workshop is only 8 days away. Don't forget to register!

A Strengths-Based Collaborative Approach to Inclusion for People with Disabilities

Date: Wednesday, March 26th 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: McClure Academic Center
Spalding University
845 South Third Street,
Louisville, KY 40203

Please join us at Spalding University for an interactive presentation and conversation with Jack McPadden on a strengths-based and collaborative model of inclusion for people with disabilities. Jack, who is completely blind, serves as an education and accessibility advocate, consultant, and presenter. He is also a Doctoral Student of Clinical Psychology in Spalding University's School of Professional Psychology.

Jack has presented both locally and internationally on frameworks for inclusion of people with disabilities and continually expands his research through community conversations and presentations, while also drawing on his own experience as a person with a visual impairment.

To register for this event, call Chris Mattingly at 502-537-0949 or email him at [email protected].

This presentation is sponsored by the Center of Accessible Living and hosted by Spalding University. It is the second presentation of the 2025 Center for Accessible Living Speaker Series.

(Flyer contains text above and the Center fr Accessible Logo.)

03/17/2025

🌟 BREAKING NEWS: Kentucky Joins Five States in Recognizing Profound Autism Day! 🌟

We're proud to announce that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has officially become the sixth state to recognize Monday, March 17, 2025, as Profound Autism Day!

Nearly 27% of autistic children in the United States meet the criteria for profound autism - a term used to describe autistic individuals who require lifetime, 24/7 care and support. This recognition is a crucial step in acknowledging the unique needs and challenges faced by this segment of the autism community.

Kentucky joins Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Oklahoma in this important recognition, thanks to the tireless advocacy of the Profound Autism Alliance.

This designation marks a significant milestone toward creating more inclusive communities that understand, support, and celebrate ALL individuals across the autism spectrum.

Let's continue raising awareness and advocating for those with profound autism and their families. Together, we can build a world that recognizes and supports the diverse needs within the autism community!

Learn more at https://www.profoundautism.org/