DeafBlindness: June 2026 podcast playlist

This month, we’re diving deep into a world that is often misunderstood, overlooked, and defined by harmful stereotypes and assumptions. Deafblindness is a unique dual sensory disability that shapes how people communicate, navigate, and thrive — and it’s time we listen, learn, and unlearn. These episodes go beyond raising awareness; they challenge misconceptions head-on, amplify the voices of Deafblind individuals, and shine a light on the urgent need for advocacy, accessibility, and genuine inclusion in every area of life — from education and employment to healthcare, technology, and everyday social spaces. Whether you’re personally connected to this experience or showing up as an ally, this playlist is an invitation to expand your perspective, break down barriers, and become a more informed and active advocate. Happy DeafBlind Awareness Week (June 25 – July 1)!

This playlist was curated by Rosanna, co-lead of the New York City PBC chapter.

Podcast Playlist on DeafBlindness

Get the full playlist on your podcast player of choice using these platforms:

* Listen Notes allows you to quickly download all of the episodes using a variety of podcast apps. Here is a quick demo video.

Seeing Without Limits: “Beyond Sight and Sound: Understanding DeafBlindness” (February 2026, 29 min)
This episode breaks down what DeafBlindness truly means — beyond the misconception that it is simply a combination of hearing and vision loss — exploring specialized communication strategies, adaptive skills, and the power of human connection. Through her work founding Jeri’s House, Cooper offers practical insight and compassionate guidance for Deafblind individuals, their families, and professionals seeking to build genuine independence and inclusion.
UNSW Centre for Ideas: “Haben Girma: The First Deafblind Harvard Graduate” (October 2024, 52 min)
Haben Girma, disability rights trailblazer and the first Deafblind woman to graduate from Harvard Law School, talks about overcoming barriers, championing inclusive design, and advocating for accessibility. With humor and heart, she challenges harmful stereotypes and inspires us all to move beyond awareness and into meaningful action.
The New Yorker Radio Hour: “The Poet John Lee Clark’s “How to Communicate” Brings DeafBlind Experience to the Page” (January 2024, 27 min)
Poet and scholar John Lee Clark challenges the tragic stereotypes often associated with DeafBlind life through writing that is joyful, funny, and deeply human. His National Book Award-nominated collection How to Communicate celebrates the richness of DeafBlind and Deaf literature, offering a refreshing and powerful reframe of what it means to navigate the world without sight or hearing.
The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders: “350: Full-Time World Travel as a Deafblind Latina and Smashing Disability Stigma Through Storytelling, Advocacy and Education with Catarina Rivera” (August 2025, 1 hr 26 min)
Catarina shares her vibrant journey as a Deafblind, Latina world traveler living with Usher syndrome, debunking misconceptions about Deafblind people while offering insight on how non-disabled people can show up as better allies. From solo trips with a white cane to leading travel experiences for disabled adventurers across nearly 40 countries, she powerfully demonstrates that disability is no barrier to a full, adventurous, and deeply connected life.
New Books in Communications: “Elsa Sjunneson, “Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman’s Fight to End Ableism” (Simon Element, 2021)” (October 2022, 51 min)
Media studies professor and deafblind author Elsa Sjunneson draws on her own lived experience and cultural expertise to dismantle the myths and harmful stereotypes society perpetuates about blindness and deafness — from Hollywood portrayals to everyday ableism. Part memoir, part cultural criticism, her work Being Seen is a sharp and personal call to challenge our one-size-fits-all definitions of disability and reimagine a world built on truth, representation, and inclusion.
Bonus podcast episodes:

• The Be My Eyes Podcast: “The First DeafBlind Actor to Attend the Oscars” (April 2021, 38 min)
  Robert Tarango went from working as a kitchen assistant at the Helen Keller National Center to walking the red carpet at the Academy Awards, starring in the Oscar-nominated short film Feeling Through — a remarkable journey that highlights the transformative power of authentic representation. His story is a landmark moment for the Deafblind community and a powerful reminder of why inclusive casting and storytelling in film and TV matter deeply.
• BroadEye: An Ophthalmology Podcast: “Low Vision Rehabilitation, Deafblind International and Creating a Continuum Of Care In Ophthalmology – Dr. Walter Wittich” (May 2021, 42 min)
  Dr. Walter Wittich offers an expert look at the global landscape of Deafblind research and low vision rehabilitation through his role as chair of the Deafblind International Research Network, shedding light on the organization’s mission to serve Deafblind individuals worldwide. He candidly addresses critical gaps in communication and training while casting a forward-looking vision for the future of the field and the unique challenges that lie ahead.
• Historical Figures: “Helen Keller” (March 2018, 42 min)
  Helen Keller was far more than a symbol — she was a fearless author, activist, and advocate whose extraordinary life, shaped alongside mentor Annie Sullivan, left a lasting legacy that continues to drive disability rights and the fight for inclusion around the world.

Conversation Starter Questions:

1. Haben Girma prefers not to be called “inspiring” — how do we celebrate Deafblind achievements without reducing people to their disability?
2. John Lee Clark’s poetry is full of joy rather than tragedy — how does this challenge the way you personally imagined Deafblind life before today?
3. Both Haben Girma and Elsa Sjunneson challenge harmful stereotypes through their work — what stereotypes about Deafblindness did this playlist challenge or correct for you?
4. Robert Tarango’s casting in Feeling Through was a landmark moment for representation — why does authentic inclusion in media matter, and where else do we need to see it?
5. Catarina travels to nearly 40 countries as a Deafblind woman — what does her story teach us about the assumptions we make regarding what disabled people can or cannot do?