SMA Voices, Disability Rights – Pushing Limits – August 14, 2026

The current state of disability rights wouldn’t be what it is without the rich history and the strong individuals who pushed the movement forward. But what about the future? Who is propelling us into the next era of disability rights?   Ryan Manriquez On this week’s program, Dominick Trevethan attempts to answer that question by interviewing two of his peers. His guests, Ryan Manriquez and Sarah Bellish, both live with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, and they want more from our current systems. Listen in as they discuss the changes they hope to see in the coming years and outline how to fight for the future we want.   Ryan Manriquez is a disability justice advocate, a graduate of UC Davis and UC Berkeley, and, as he puts it, a “transit nerd.” Working in the Bay Area, he hopes to use his lived experience as a person with a disability to push for more accessible housing, public transportation, and government-funded medical research.   Sarah Bellish is the Senior Manager of Advocacy at Cure SMA, where she works in public policy to help push vital disability legislation through the doors of Congress. Issues important to her include increasing the current SSI Asset Limit, making it safer for those with disabilities to fly, and improving the current state of accessible public transportation.   We’ve come this far. So, where do we go next? Find out on Pushing Limits!   This program was hosted and produced by Dominick Trevethan. Editing by Dominick Trevethan and Denny Daughters.   For a full program transcription, click here Relevant Resources:   Cure SMA   Cure SMA Advocacy  How to become a Cure SMA Advocate  Sarah Bellish The post SMA Voices, Disability Rights – Pushing Limits – August 14, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.