Emergency Preparedness and Disability – Pushing Limits – January 5, 2024

KPFA - Pushing Limits

‘Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services‘ is a long title, but an important one. Vance Taylor, diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at the age of seven, tells us how his lived experience as a person with a disability molded him for this extremely rare position that gives him access to the ear of the governor.

Join us as Vance Taylor explains the intricacies of his job, which include visiting actual areas impacted by disasters and assessing the accessibility of the systems in place to keep impacted individuals safe. Additionally, he details the need for more disability representation in government across the country.

Most importantly, listen in as he reminds us that our ability to recover from disasters is just as imperative as preparing for them.

Produced and Hosted by Bonnie Elliot, with production assistance and audio editing by Dominick Trevethan.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Vance was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child and uses a power wheelchair. He has worked in Washington, D.C. as an advisor for two different members of Congress, directed security policy at a national water association, and been a principal at a top-ranked homeland security and emergency management consulting firm.

Vance is a nationally recognized public speaker and advocate for individuals with disabilities.

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