Episode 39: The Intersection of Disability, Blackness and Gender — Intersectionality Series Pt. 1

You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without a D

Again this year, we’re delving into disability and intersectionality to close out the show for our 2025 season.

It’s a broad topic — there are many directions to approach it from.

In part one of our two-part season ending series, we’re exploring the intersection of disability, Blackness and gender.

It’s a convergence that makes for a compelling conversation.

One published report said, “little is known about the experiences of Black Canadians with disabilities who will experience disparities in education, employment and entrepreneurship based on the intersection of anti-Black racism and ableism.”

Then there’s their experiences within the Black community itself.

When you role all of these things together, what are the main challenges, or barriers to inclusion, faced by Black Canadians who have a disability?

And how significant is the gender aspect in all of that?

How much does access to employment supports depend on whether you’re a Black man, or a Black woman, who has a disability?

And how much does history and colonialism play in all of this?

What needs to change?

These are just some of the questions we explore with our guest Ingrid Palmer.

Ingrid is a passionate human rights advocate, an inspirational speaker on diversity, equity and inclusion, and the Principal IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility Leading to belonging) Advocate for Realize Canada.

Catch this compelling conversation with Ingrid!

SHOW NOTES

• Episode 39 transcript (PDF)
• Realize Canada website
• Ingrid Palmer’s speaker website
• Report — The Intersection of Blackness and Disability in Canada: A Brief Overview and a Call to Action
• Prioritizing Black Canadians with Disabilities in Bill C-22, Canada Disability Benefit Act — Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology