Are you a podcaster or content creator striving for better diversity and accessibility but worried about saying the wrong thing? The pain point is real: you want to create truly inclusive spaces that feature diverse lived experiences, but you’re unsure of the correct language or the most respectful conversations approach. It’s time to move past fear and learn the strategic podcasting strategies for impactful disability advocacy. In this episode of Podcasting Unlocked, Alesia sits down with Jenna Udenberg to discuss why disability is not a bad word, the power of human connection, and the essential steps every host must take to make their show accessible and welcoming to all. This week, episode 250 of Podcasting Unlocked is about featuring diverse lived experiences on your podcast!
Key Takeaways:
- Disability Is Not a Bad Word: Shift your mindset to view disability as a neutral descriptor—not a negative one—and embrace it as a part of human diversity and identity.
- Essential Accessibility for Podcasters: Integrate descriptive practices like visual descriptions and alt text into your video content and show notes to support podcast accessibility for the blind or visually impaired.
- Lead with Curiosity, Not Assumption: Approach guests and topics related to marginalized communities with genuine curiosity and commonality to foster truly respectful conversations and build deep human connection.
- Inclusion is Partnership: The goal is to work with people with disabilities on your podcasting strategies and content, not just doing things for them.
Disability Advocacy: Featuring Diverse Lived Experiences on Your Podcast with Jenna Udenberg
The truth is, genuine inclusion isn’t about being perfectly polished; it’s about being intentional. It’s about leading with authentic human connection and adopting practical steps to improve podcast accessibility. In a recent conversation with Jenna Udenberg, a powerful voice for disability advocacy and co-founder of Above and Beyond with U, we broke down the mindset and practical tools every host needs to create a welcoming show for all listeners.
Here are the four strategic takeaways to master disability advocacy and build a truly inclusive podcast.
The Mindset Shift—Disability is Not a Bad Word
The first and most critical step in creating an inclusive space starts in your own mind. Many hosts, out of a misplaced attempt to be kind or gentle, avoid the word “disability” entirely, using euphemisms like “differently-abled” or “special needs.” This often unintentionally marginalizes the community.
As Jenna explains, disability is a neutral word—it is simply a descriptor. It is not a negative word, and it’s a core part of an individual’s identity and diversity.
Your strategic mindset shift: View disability as part of the rich tapestry of lived experiences your audience and guests bring to the table. When you approach the topic with neutrality and respect, you open the door to authentic dialogue. Stop trying to soften the language and start using the language the community prefers. This simple change unlocks more respectful conversations and deeper human connection.
The Podcaster’s Accessibility Checklist: Simple, Impactful Tools
While it may seem complex, improving podcast accessibility often comes down to integrating simple, consistent practices into your existing workflow. For content creators, especially those who use video or social media to promote their audio, two essential elements are non-negotiable: Visual Descriptions and Alt Text.
Actionable Accessibility Steps:
- Use Visual Descriptions on Video: If you film your podcast, practice providing brief, descriptive narration of what is happening on screen, particularly at the beginning of the episode or when showing a graphic. For example: “Alesia is wearing a blue top and sitting in front of a colorful bookshelf with LEGOs.” This simple act provides context for blind or visually impaired listeners.
- Utilize Alt Text: Every image, graphic, or video thumbnail you post on social media and your website should include descriptive alt text. This text is read aloud by screen readers, telling a visually impaired user exactly what the image conveys. Don’t just write “Podcast Episode,” write: “Alesia and Jenna Udenberg smiling, discussing disability advocacy.”
These two steps are minimal effort for you but deliver massive improvements in podcast accessibility, transforming your content into a more welcoming place.
Lead with Curiosity, Not Assumption
When inviting guests from marginalized communities, including the disability community, many hosts get caught up in assuming they know the right questions to ask or the right way to frame the story. This often results in a surface-level, and sometimes patronizing, interview.
The key to unlocking truly respectful conversations is to ditch assumptions and lead with genuine curiosity and a focus on commonality.
Jenna emphasizes that the best way to connect is to find the universal human threads in their story. Instead of focusing solely on the “disability,” focus on the journey: What did you learn about resilience? How did you innovate when faced with a challenge? What is the core lesson you want to share?
By focusing on the universal human experience, you foster a natural human connection that is relatable to your entire podcast audience, regardless of their own lived experiences. You demonstrate that you are interested in the person, not just the label.
Inclusion as Partnership (Not Pity)
The highest level of disability advocacy and inclusive practice is shifting from doing things for people with disabilities to doing things with them. This means that your podcasting strategies should seek genuine collaboration.
If you are developing content on accessibility, consult with disabled content creators. If you are looking for diversity in guests, actively seek out and partner with organizations that support the community. This ensures your efforts are informed by authentic lived experiences and not just your own best guesses. It turns inclusion into an active, strategic partnership that benefits everyone.
Amplifying All Voices
Creating an inclusive space on your podcast is more than a trend; it’s a strategic pillar of building a purpose-driven show with real podcast impact. By mastering the language, implementing simple accessibility tools, and leading every interview with genuine curiosity, you move past fear and become a powerful force for disability advocacy and human connection.
Your Challenge for the Week:
Commit to auditing your show’s visual content. Are you consistently using visual descriptions and alt text? If not, start with your next three posts!
To connect with Jenna’s powerful work and learn more about creating inclusive spaces, visit her non-profit at aboveandbeyondwithu.org or find her book, Within My Spokes, wherever you buy books.
If you need a personalized strategy to align your podcast accessibility goals with your overall growth plan, book a quick consultation with me at helpmypod.com. Let’s make sure your powerful message is accessible to everyone.
Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on turning your podcast listeners into leads and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
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Learn more about Podcasting Unlocked at https://galatimedia.com/podcasting-unlocked/
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