Join me Saturday, April 19, on Zoom for a discussion about disability and communal living
A Genius Teatime event with Andrea Jennings, Priya Ray, and me!
In case you missed my first Genius Teatime talk last December, about my experience living in communes and intentional communities on and off for 20 years (and how to avoid all the mistakes I/we made joining and running them), you have another chance to see my actual face saying actual words about communal living, in person! Well, on Zoom. That counts, right? (Disability accommodation and COVID safety says “Yes, ma’am! Sure does!”)
This Saturday, April 19, at 3:30pm Pacific, on Zoom, A. Laura Brody of Opulent Mobility will host another Genius Teatime talk, this time with three disability advocates who come from different backgrounds and perspectives, to discuss topics related to communal living with disabilities.
Suggested donation is $10-$30 (though no one will be turned away for lack of funds), and will benefit disabled folks displaced by the L.A. wildfires and the Opulent Mobility accessibility fund.
RSVP by filling out this form: https://form.jotform.com/250728173865162
I am very excited for where this conversation could go, as housing is such a fraught issue for those with disabilities, and many of us dream of a place where we can live near other spoonies and crips, in homes that are safe and have accommodations, and where we can pool resources, including shared disabled joy.
But there are also many obstacles to finding, funding, or founding such a place. There are so many considerations, including logistics and locations, different needs across different disabilities, changing needs over time, the issue of abled friends and partners, the needs and nuances of other intersectional identities… and that’s all on top of the topics I always go on and on about regarding communal living: intentions, ethics, governmental structures, power dynamics, money, and transparency.
I hope you’ll join us, and bring questions! This should be interesting.
More on my co-panelists, via Genius Teatime’s site (neither of whom I know yet, but am very much excited to meet, and meet minds with):
Andrea Jennings, M.Mus. is a director, creative and content producer, TV host, spoken word artist, actress, and accessibility strategist dedicated to disability inclusion in media, arts, and business. After a spinal cord injury, she founded Shifting Creative Paradigms – Leveling the Playing Field®, a social enterprise multi-media production and consulting company to integrate accessibility authentically into entertainment and policy. She hosts Access for All: Integrating Accessibility, a Pasadena Media production, and has worked with Easterseals and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Andrea contributed to the health equity report The Intersection of Health Equity in Communities & Business Strategy and serves as a commissioner on Pasadena’s Accessibility and Disability Commission. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Billboard, and The New York Times.
Priya Ray is the founder of DIYabled. She believes that creating activities through the DIY mindset can spark conversations, raise awareness, and help create innovative solutions that make the world more inclusive. Accessibility is not just a set of rules but rather a creative process that invites everyone to contribute, adapt, and build a more equitable world for people of all abilities.
Also, if you’re curious about my last talk, or just want to know what a Genius Teatime discussion looks like, here’s video of my presentation a few months ago:
The last time I did this was so fun, satisfying, and inspiring, not least of which because A. Laura Brody is such a warm, engaging host and conversation partner, and I expect no less from this weekend. (No word yet, though, on whether I’ll wear that super cute yellow sweater again. You’ll just have to show up and see for yourself.)
This talk is for you if:
you’re interested in forming or joining a co-living situation for/with disabled people
you’re interested in making your existing co-living situation more disability friendly
you’re curious about co-living in general
you’re curious about disability and disabled living in general
you want to educate yourself on disability, disability justice, and the reality of life with different kinds of disabilities and intersectional identities
you like wacky/cool artist types who also care a lot about social justice
you want a good hang on a Saturday afternoon
you don’t know what to do with yourself until The Last Of Us Season 2, Episode 2 airs
you want to see me talk with my hands - a lot
you love me!
I hope to see you there! And feel free to bring questions (or leave them here in comments or in DMs)! I’d love to know what you think, or wonder, about this topic.
See you Saturday!
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(P.S. Apologies for the late notice. As I mentioned in my last post, it’s been a month, and I’m just starting to feel like myself again after a big fat crash. But next time I’ll try to give a little more heads up. Or not. #SpoonieLyfe)
Genius Teatime with Molly, Priya, and Andrea
Communal Living with Disabilities
With Molly Freedenberg, Andrea Jennings, and Priya Ray
April 19, 2025 3:30-4:30 PM PST on Zoom
Your donation this week will benefit disabled folks displaced by the LA wildfires and the Opulent Mobility accessibility fund. Suggested donation $10-30; no one turned away for lack of funds.
RSVP here for link. Note: This form only accepts PayPal. To use Venmo or Zelle, exit the form and email laurabrody@verizon.net instead.