Curb Cuts and Conversations

Making Public Spaces and Transportation Accessible for Neurodivergent People. With Guest: Rebecca Tarrant, J.D.

What makes a city, a transit system, or a restaurant truly accessible for neurodivergent people? In episode 003 of Curb Cuts and Conversations, I sit down with Rebecca Tarrant, J.D. — American lawyer, global autism advocate, founder and CEO of Autistic Youth International, mom to an AuDHD son, and an AuDHD person herself — for one of the richest conversations the show has had yet. We talk about what makes public spaces and transportation accessible for neurodivergent people, bust some of the biggest myths about autism, and dig into why the social model of disability — the idea that it's hostile environments, not people, that create barriers — matters so much for how we design our cities. ----- Watch Episode 003 on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/nZXPRlxQBBg] ----- About E003 Guest: Rebecca Tarrant, J.D. Late diagnosis is typical for autistic women, who are frequently overlooked. Rebecca's shares that experience. Rebecca's work centres lived experience. She donates inclusive children's books featuring Autistic and neurodivergent characters to schools and libraries, designs sensory-friendly community events, and collaborates with educators, businesses, and community leaders to create measurable social impact. She is the mom of Jackson, a nine-year- old AuDHD child. Rebecca has ADHD, and was herself diagnosed with Autism 2025. Her belief is simple: when children see themselves reflected in books and community spaces, it changes how they see themselves — and how the world sees them. Rebecca Tarrant, J.D. on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-tarrant-j-d-2a5060273] ----- E003 Extended Show Notes e-Book pdf [https://kdrive.infomaniak.com/app/share/2658947/1e09f722-c275-4058-a8a9-0ff3244ee60d] Full resource list — including all links mentioned in this episode — is available as a downloadable PDF: ----- About the Show Curb Cuts and Conversations is a Canadian podcast about accessibility, urbanism, and transportation — how cities around the world are designed, and who gets left out when we get it wrong. Hosted by Elizabeth (Liz) McCready, with regular cameos by her cats and co-hosts Boo and Maybel. Liz is a marketing and communications professional, designer (graphic design and knitting), content creator, and wheelchair user. Stay connected: * Instagram: @GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.instagram.com/GingerKiwiOnWheels/] * YouTube: @GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels] * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready [http://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready] * Merch: https://Shop.CurbCuts.fm [https://Shop.CurbCuts.fm] * Wheelie Awesome Socials, social events for wheelchair users: https://events.CurbCuts.fm [https://events.CurbCuts.fm] Coming soon: * Accessibility Across the Algorithm — Social media. Made accessible. * Adaptively Dressed, the Adaptive Fashion Podcast Music licensed on TuneReel by Ikoliks: Beautiful Place, From Miles Away #Neurodiversity #Autism #AuDHD #AccessibleDesign #WheelchairLife #PublicTransit #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #Podcast #Toronto #UrbanDesign #Transit #LateAutismDiagnosis

Accessibility Isn’t Abstract: What Happened When My Home Stopped Working and What's Up for 2026

After an unexpected pause, Curb Cuts and Conversations returns with a personal story about what happens when a once-ideal home becomes inaccessible. I share why I had to move, what an accessible home actually changes in daily life, and how this experience is shaping the podcast’s focus on housing, cities, and accessibility in 2026. 🎙️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! [https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels/podcasts] 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 [https://shop.gingerkiwi.blog]. [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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready/] Instagram: @GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.instagram.com/gingerkiwionwheels/] YouTube: @GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels]

Bonus Series: Web Accessibility Wednesdays - Episode 01, Macro Campos, Senior Developer

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. --- Guest: [Marco Campos](https://madcampos.dev [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 --- Support the show: [shop.curbcuts.fm [http://shop.curbcuts.fm]](https://shop.curbcuts.fm [https://shop.curbcuts.fm]) Podcast hub: [CurbCuts.fm [http://CurbCuts.fm]](https://curbcuts.fm [https://curbcuts.fm]) YouTube: [@GingerKiwiOnWheels](https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels]) ---

Bonus: I Was Assaulted Boarding a Bus in My Wheelchair One Year Ago Today

🤕 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. But I still enjoy taking public transit. 🎙️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! [https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels/podcasts] 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 [https://shop.gingerkiwi.blog]. [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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready/] Instagram: @GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.instagram.com/gingerkiwionwheels/] YouTube: @GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels]

Curb Cuts and Conversations Podcast Teaser

🎙️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 [https://youtu.be/Nnxu-v6NCps?si=8ZWztwVLfzEvggH1]! Let's Connect! * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready/] * Instagram: @GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.instagram.com/gingerkiwionwheels/] * YouTube: @GingerKiwiOnWheels [https://www.youtube.com/@GingerKiwiOnWheels] * www.CurbCuts.fm [http://www.CurbCuts.fm] * LinkTr.ee [http://LinkTr.ee]: https://linktr.ee/gingerkiwionwheels [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 [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 [https://blue.mbsy.co/77GVgm] Terms and Conditions: https://tr.ee/IJh6qChttps://tr.ee/IJh6qC [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