In this premiere episode of Curb Cuts and Conversations, host Elizabeth McCready sits down with Sara Hendren—author, artist, educator, and design researcher—for a wide-ranging conversation on disability, design, and how we shape (and are shaped by) the built environment.

Sara shares insights from her book What Can a Body Do?, and the conversation moves through topics including:

Why disability is not a fixed category but a space of human variation The role of stories in changing hearts and policies Teaching design in ways that centre care and interdependence How everyday objects—from furniture to curb cuts—can invite reflection and reimagination.

Episode 1: Design, Disability, and the Built World

Guest: Sara Hendren

Duration: ~60 minutes

Host: Elizabeth McCready

Highlights:

03:55 — How Sara started thinking differently about assistive tech

11:12 — The hidden assumptions of "normal" design

24:08 — Why every design is a disability design

38:21 — How storytelling transforms public understanding

47:50 — Sara’s advice for young designers and urbanists

Resources Mentioned

1. "What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World" by Sara Hendren
2. StopGap Foundation (Luke Anderson)
3. Olin College of Engineering
4. Open Style Lab

Curb Cuts and Conversations is a monthly podcast about accessible urbanism, public transit, and wheelchair life with experts and lived experience voices. Hosted by Elizabeth McCready (@GingerKiwiOnWheels) with regular cameos by one of her two cats Boo, and a different guest every episode.

Merch Shop!

Do you love the quirky design of Curb Cuts and Conversations' show art? If so, visit the Ginger Kiwi On Wheels merch shop: https://shop.gingerkiwi.blog.

Watch or listen to each episode for an audience only discount code.

Simplii Financial Offer

Link: https://blue.mbsy.co/77GVgm

Terms and Conditions: https://tr.ee/IJh6qC

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready/
• Instagram: @GingerKiwiOnWheels
• YouTube: @GingerKiwiOnWheels - www.CurbCuts.fm
• LinkTr.ee: https://linktr.ee/gingerkiwionwheels

Music licensed TuneReel

by Ikoliks: Beautiful Place, From Miles Away

#Urban #UrbanDesign #UrbanDevelopment #PublicTransit #Transit #WheelchairLife #WheelchairUser #Accessibility #AccessibilityMatters #Design #UniversalDesign #Housing #Podcast

Web Accessibility Wednesdays are back—now as a bonus mini-series! Each episode features 10 questions in 10(ish) minutes, highlighting people shaping a more inclusive web.

In this first episode, Elizabeth McCready talks with Marco Campos, a software developer and accessibility advocate. Marco shares how everyday frustrations inspired his passion for accessibility, why good design and accessibility go hand-in-hand, and offers a challenge for listeners to navigate their computer without a mouse.

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Guest: [Marco Campos](https://madcampos.dev)

Host: Elizabeth McCready (@GingerKiwiOnWheels)

Duration: \~15 minutes

Highlights:

01:05 — Everyday frustrations spark accessibility focus

05:35 — Live demo of high-contrast themes

07:30 — Myth: accessible design isn’t pretty

08:34 — Tip: semantic HTML & hierarchy

12:47 — Challenge: keyboard-only navigation

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Support the show: [shop.curbcuts.fm](https://shop.curbcuts.fm)

Podcast hub: [CurbCuts.fm](https://curbcuts.fm)

YouTube: [@GingerKiwiOnWheels](https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels)

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🤕 Today, September 3, is the one-year anniversary of being assaulted boarding a bus in Toronto in my wheelchair. I have permanent injuries and over $10,000 of additional costs* as a result. I had to be off of screens for four months. If you're wondering why I disappeared last September to January, this is the story.

🎙️Curb Cuts and Conversations is a monthly podcast about accessible urbanism, public transit, and wheelchair life with experts and lived experience voices. Hosted by Elizabeth McCready with regular cameos by one of her two cats Boo, and a different guest every episode.

Watch on YouTube!

Merch Shop!

Do you love the quirky design of Curb Cuts and Conversations' show art?

If so, visit the Ginger Kiwi On Wheels merch shop: https://shop.gingerkiwi.blog.

All show and merch shop artwork is designed in Toronto, Canada by Elizabeth McCready. No AI is used in the design process! (Yes, that TTC streetcar was completely drawn by hand in Figma on a MacBook Pro.)

Connect!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready/

Instagram: @GingerKiwiOnWheels

YouTube: @GingerKiwiOnWheels