In this episode, we’re diving into something every disabled person has experienced: Why do we have to justify our access needs?

Whether it’s mobility aids, headphones, AI tools, emotional support, flexible schedules, captions, or medical equipment, disabled people are constantly questioned about the things that make our lives possible.

In this episode, we talk about:

* Why access needs are needs, not “special requests”

* How suspicion and ableism shape who gets support

* The emotional and mental toll of constantly having to explain ourselves

* AI as a tool for disabled independence (not cheating!)

* Disability hierarchy & internalised ableism

* Workplaces, schools, healthcare and why these systems resist accessibility

* How disabled people highlight the flaws in systems built for compliance, not humanity

* The myth of the “normal body” and why interdependence is human

And yes… we also talk about New York, dodgy landlords, funerals, ADHD musicians, and the chaos of being disabled in a world not designed for us. If this episode stirred anything up for you, please check the support resources below.

SUPPORT RESOURCES

United Kingdom:

* Samaritans (24/7) — Call 116 123 | [https://www.samaritans.org](https://www.samaritans.org)

* Mind UK — Mental health support | [https://www.mind.org.uk](https://www.mind.org.uk)

* Shout Crisis Text Line — Text SHOUT to 85258

* Scope — Disability support & advocacy | [https://www.scope.org.uk](https://www.scope.org.uk)

* NHS Mental Health Help — Via GP or call 111 United States

* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 | [https://988lifeline.org](https://988lifeline.org)

* NAMI Helpline — 1-800-950-NAMI | [https://nami.org](https://nami.org)

* Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741

* ADAPT / National Disability Rights Network — [https://www.ndrn.org](https://www.ndrn.org)

* The Arc — Disability advocacy & family support | [https://thearc.org](https://thearc.org) You are not alone support exists, and community exists.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Have you ever felt pressured to explain or defend your access needs? Drop your story in the comments or DM us, we love hearing from you.

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See you for the next episode, for more stories, more laughs, and more rants about ramps, access needs, and disabled life.

Go Wildcats. 🐾