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.

Episode 1: Design, Disability, and the Built World

Guest: Sara Hendren

Duration: ~60 minutes

Host: Elizabeth McCready

About this Episode

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 center care and interdependence How everyday objects—from furniture to curb cuts—can invite reflection and reimagination

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
5. sarahendren.com

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. If you've read this far in the show notes, you deserve a special discount code! Here's an extra 10% off your first $50 (usd) purchase including sale items.

https://shop.gingerkiwi.blog/promo/SHOWNOTES10

Let's Connect!

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

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

🎙️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. Guests Episode 001: Sara Hendren, author of “What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World” was Liz’s guest in the first episode.

Watch the Episode 01 on YouTube!

Let's Connect!

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

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.

End of Summer Sale is on until September 07, 2025!

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

Music licensed TuneReel by Ikoliks: Beautiful Place, From Miles Away

#Podcast #Disability #WheelchairLife #WheelchairUser #Cities #UrbanDesign #Design #Urbanism #Accessibility #A11y #Access

Clip from Curb Cuts and Conversations: Episode 001, with guest Sara Hendren, author of "What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World". The full episode will be airing soon on all major podcast platforms. https://curbcuts.fm

View the video on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/wt1gIDZVvbc

Look for the full first episode on YouTube and your favourite podcast app.