Abilities Zone With Paul Amadeus Lane

Breaking Barriers: Ty Smith on Financial Freedom & Life After Injury

On this episode of Abilities Zone with Paul Amadeus Lane, we sit down with Ty Smith, a quadriplegic entrepreneur and founder of T.W. Planning and Investments — a company dedicated to helping members of the disability community build financial stability, confidence, and long-term security. Ty opens up about the accident that changed his life, the challenges and triumphs of his recovery, and the purpose that led him to launch a business focused on financial empowerment. From navigating benefits and budgeting to planning for independence, Ty shares practical insights and a deeply personal journey of resilience and reinvention.  We also highlight Ty’s recent appearance as an exhibitor at the Abilities Zone Expo in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he showcased his mission to support and educate individuals with disabilities on their financial future. Whether you're part of the disability community, a caregiver, or someone seeking inspiration, this conversation is an uplifting reminder that ability comes in many forms — and so does success.

Episode 4:Inside Shane Burcaw's World - Abilities Expo Preview

In this episode of Abilities Zone, host Paul Amadeus Lane sits down with the remarkable Shane Burcaw. Known for his wit, honesty, and advocacy, Shane discusses his journey, his marriage to Hannah, and the importance of representation. Plus, get an exclusive preview of their appearance at the Abilities Expo Los Angeles, where they'll be connecting with the disability community. Tune in for a powerful and uplifting conversation. Don't miss out on the Expo – register today at abilities.com! #AbilitiesExpo #ShaneBurcaw #DisabilityAdvocacy #AbilitiesZone #PaulAmadeusLane"

Episode 3: World-Famous Rollettes Dancers Share their Journeys

The Rollettes, Abilities Expo fan faves, are in the Zone with Paul Amadeus Lane! Dance Captain Conner Lundius and Dancer Joci Scott share their personal stories from injury, to coming to grips with a future on wheels to how they found their way back to dance. The Rollettes’ mission is clear: to empower woman and girls with disabilities to live boundlessly through dance. They do that through their annual Rollettes Experience each summer, through their outreach and, of course, through their long-awaited comeback to Abilities Expo Chicago on About the Host, Paul Amadeus Lane Abilities Expo ambassador, TV & radio personality and disability advocate Paul Amadeus Lane has leveraged his considerable media experience to host the Abilities Zone. Former Bureau Chief of both ABC News Radio, KMET 1490-AM and NBC News Radio, KCAA 1050-AM, Paul is a self-proclaimed tech junkie and also hosts the TECH ZONE and Entertainment Zone podcasts. As an accessibility consultant, he was instrumental in helping PlayStation create its Access Controller to level the playing field for disabled gamers. If you don’t see him on the red carpet interviewing celebrities, you’ll find him speaking at CES, E3, the TechConneXt Summit and more.

Episode 2: Quad Racecar Driver Torsten Gross Blows Past Barriers

Meet Torsten Gross, a C6 quadriplegic who discovered his need for speed after the 36th traffic ticket and a racing experience day at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. Now he competes against non-disabled drivers in his 981 Cayman retrofitted with hand controls. In order to share his passion for motorsports, Torsten launched the Just Hands Foundation, an organization that gives anyone who uses hand controls to drive the opportunity to get onto a track with an instructor. And…spoiler alert…his new TV Show Just Hands: For the Love Of Racing—which follows his racing adventures—comes out in June. Don’t miss your chance to hear about his epic journey. About the Host, Paul Amadeus Lane Abilities Expo ambassador, TV & radio personality and disability advocate Paul Amadeus Lane has leveraged his considerable media experience to host the Abilities Zone. Former Bureau Chief of both ABC News Radio, KMET 1490-AM and NBC News Radio, KCAA 1050-AM, Paul is a self-proclaimed tech junkie and also hosts the TECH ZONE and Entertainment Zone podcasts. As an accessibility consultant, he was instrumental in helping PlayStation create its Access Controller to level the playing field for disabled gamers. If you don’t see him on the red carpet interviewing celebrities, you’ll find him speaking at CES, E3, the TechConneXt Summit and more.

Episode 1: Meet Jennifer Kumiyama, a star of Disney’s hit film Wish

Singer. Actor. Disability advocate. Ms. Wheelchair California. Accessibility Coordinator for the City of Long Beach. And for Jennifer Kumiyama’s latest triumph…she is the voice of Dahlia in Disney’s hit animated film, Wish. Her story is one of perseverance, self-advocacy and belief in herself as she relentlessly chases her dreams. But she is not only pursuing her own passions, she is also paving the way for others with disabilities to succeed. As she says, “I don’t want to just be the first. I want to be the first of many.” Reach out to Jennifer directly on Instagram at @kumirocks. About the Host, Paul Amadeus LaneAbilities Expo ambassador, TV & radio personality and disability advocate Paul Amadeus Lane has leveraged his considerable media experience to host the Abilities Zone. Former Bureau Chief of both ABC News Radio, KMET 1490-AM and NBC News Radio, KCAA 1050-AM, Paul is a self-proclaimed tech junkie and also hosts the TECH ZONE and Entertainment Zone podcasts. As an accessibility consultant, he was instrumental in helping PlayStation create its Access Controller to level the playing field for disabled gamers. If you don’t see him on the red carpet interviewing celebrities, you’ll find him speaking at CES, E3, the TechConneXt Summit and more.