On today’s episode, we were joined by Dr. Cort Schneider. Dr. Schneider was born with cerebral palsy, is the Director of Disability Services at the University of Richmond, and a professor. He is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, and adaptive recreation. He is a runner who uses forearm crutches and he has completed 14 half marathons, and dozens of 5k races. He even wrote a book called the Trial of Miles: A Disabled Runner's Memoir. Currently, he has taken his passion for people with disabilities and adaptive recreation and has launched a podcast entitled Sports, Identity, and the Disability Blue. This podcast uses the lens of sports to explore the stories of people with disabilities which sheds light on the experience of those with disabilities, The podcast is also a celebration of disability as a cultural identity. Dr. Schneider discusses the importance of inclusion and accessibility in various aspects of university life and he emphasizes the need for inclusive environments that accept, embrace, educate, and empower people with disabilities. Dr. Schneider challenges the narrative of disability as a negative and highlights the importance of reframing disability as a natural part of the human experience. The conversation also touches on the challenges of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within universities and the portrayal of people with disabilities as inspirational. He shares his passion for running and the empowering nature of his athletic body as a person with a disability. Cort provides advice for personal trainers on how to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for clients with disabilities. To listen to Dr. Schneider’s podcast, check out the link below,

Dr. Schneider’s Podcast: https://cortschneider.podbean.com/

Keywords: disability, inclusion, accessibility, university, diversity, equity, inspiration, running, disability, races, adaptive equipment, inclusivity, gym, personal training

Takeaways

• Inclusion is a set of relationships, and creating inclusive environments requires collaboration and buy-in from all members of a community.
• Disability should be reframed as a natural part of the human experience, and society should adjust to accommodate people with disabilities rather than expecting them to conform to able-bodied norms.
• The portrayal of people with disabilities as inspirational can create unrealistic expectations and perpetuate low expectations for individuals with disabilities.
• Universities and other institutions should prioritize accessibility and inclusivity in all aspects, including physical spaces, services, and programs.
• The cost of adaptive equipment for individuals with disabilities can be a significant barrier.
• Personal trainers should ask clients with disabilities about their specific needs and goals, and not be afraid to make mistakes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:19 Disability Statistics and the Norm of Able-Bodiedness

06:11 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Campus Recreation Centers

10:36 Creating an Inclusive Environment for Neurodiverse Students

12:51 DEI Initiatives in Universities

15:43 The Importance of Collaboration in Inclusion Work

21:27 The Value of Disability and the Complexity of the Experience

24:06 The Issue with the Inspirational Narrative

30:13 Overcoming Challenges and Others' Opinions

35:16 Barriers Faced by Individuals with Disabilities in Races

38:18 Creating Inclusive Races

45:31 Advice for Personal Trainers

53:19 Fostering an Inclusive Gym Culture