:DisElectAbility: Kathy Macy (Uncut)

14/06/2024

The script is an interview for a podcast featuring two speakers, Aar Jae Williams (they/them) and Kathy Macy (they/them). The conversation centers around several key topics:

CW:: 1. **Discussion of Disability and Ableism:** This includes personal experiences of discrimination and systemic challenges faced by disabled individuals.

2. **Mental Health and Emotional Well-being:** Conversations that might impact listeners' emotional state, especially around experiences of trauma linked to disability.

1. **Introduction and Background**:

- Kathy Macy, a 26-year-old PhD student in autism research, shares her academic journey and role as Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Coordinator at the University of West England. They also speak about their lifelong political activism.

2. **Research on Autism**:

- Kathy discusses their PhD research, which investigates the potential existence and contributions of autistic individuals in the Stone Age. They highlight the importance of neurodiversity and advocate for a society that supports and values people with autism.

3. **Autism and Politics**:

- The discussion touches on the dual view of autism as both a disability and a difference, with Kathy emphasizing the need for societal change to better support autistic individuals.

- Aar Jae Williams questions Kathy about their personal experience with autism and its impact on their political engagement. Kathy recounts their diagnosis journey and the challenges they face due to their disabilities.

4. **Political Involvement**:

- Kathy details their involvement with the Liberal Democrats, their motivation for joining the party, and their contributions, including the unpaid young carer policy. They express strong support for liberal values and the importance of intersectionality and inclusion within the party.

- They also discuss the challenges faced by disabled people in political representation and advocate for more disabled candidates.

5. **Coalition Governments and Policies**:

- Kathy shares their views on potential coalitions, emphasizing a preference for policies that support proportional representation and inclusivity.

- They address past mistakes of the Liberal Democrats during the coalition with the Conservatives and advocate for the party's growth and learning from those experiences.

6. **Future Goals and Election Hopes**:

- Kathy expresses hopes for a clearer direction and increased representation for the Liberal Democrats in the upcoming election. They underscore the importance of addressing basic issues for disabled individuals, including improving systems like PIP, ensuring equal access to education, and supporting disabled people in their personal lives and careers.

The script overall addresses crucial topics related to autism, disability rights, and political activism, with an emphasis on personal experiences and systemic changes needed for a more inclusive society.

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