In this episode on the We’re Not Stumped podcast, I’m honored to have Elysia Everett, founder and CEO of Friendly Like Me.
Friendly Like Me is an innovative app dedicated to finding and reviewing accessible places. Its mission is to enhance accessibility in public spaces and make it easier for everyone to discover accessible locations, ensuring more people can participate in various activities without hindrance.
Access to accurate accessibility information is vital for full participation in society. Unfortunately, such information is often scarce, subjective, and difficult to find. This lack of reliable data frequently prevents individuals from engaging in activities they would otherwise enjoy, including visiting size-friendly and accessible businesses across the United States. Friendly Like Me is committed to changing this, benefiting everyone.
Through collaboration with reviewers, advocates, and business owners, Friendly Like Me strives to create more welcoming and accessible places. The platform facilitates interaction between people and businesses about specific accommodations needed to attract customers who prioritize accessibility. It’s worth noting that US adults with disabilities, including many individuals of higher weights, represent the third-largest market segment in the country. According to the American Institute for Research, the discretionary income for working-age persons with disabilities is $21 billion.
Businesses can claim their listings on Friendly Like Me to inform patrons about their amenities and any limitations. Transparency is key—it’s very friendly to let people know in advance if they cannot accommodate them. Friendly Like Me’s reviews focus on the presence or absence of specific accommodations, reducing the subjectivity often found in star-based review systems.
Links:
Friendly Like Me Website: https://www.friendlylikeme.com/
#accessible #accessibleliving #accessibleeducation #accessibility #accessibilityawareness
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In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Belma Islamovic, a double above-elbow amputee, community advocate, and proud member of the Dallas Amputee Network. Mike and Belma first met at Empower Fest in Arizona, and today she shares her remarkable story of survival, resilience, and hope. Belma recounts: • Surviving a devastating explosion during the Bosnian War • Her long medical journey from Bosnia to Italy and ultimately to the United States • Adapting to life without prosthetics and mastering daily tasks using her feet • The emotional and mental health struggles she overcame through support and therapy • Her connection with the Dallas Amputee Network and the power of community Belma’s story is a powerful reminder of human strength, compassion, and the importance of support networks for amputees and trauma survivors.
Civil rights advocate Marc Fishman joins host Mike Bolland to shed light on a critical but overlooked issue: the routine denial of disability accommodations in America’s family courts. After a devastating car accident left him with long-term disabilities and communication challenges, Marc entered a 49-month legal battle—not just for his parental rights, but for his basic ADA protections. He details how New York courts repeatedly refused accommodations like real-time transcription, the federal ADA victories he secured, and how Tennessee v. Lane shaped his fight for access. Marc also reveals the retaliation he faced from judges and public officials and discusses his successful advocacy during COVID helping disabled tenants obtain rent grants. With recent legislative wins offering hope, Marc emphasizes the urgent need for accountability and reform to protect disabled parents nationwide.
Today, I’m honored to sit down once again with Brooke Brown — an “ink weaver of life, faith, and fiction,” an honors graduate of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2022, and founder of Brooke’s Butterfly Touch, a ministry that helps individuals discover the power and purpose of their own stories. Brooke is also the author of Rolling in Grace: Volume 1 — A Foundation of Faith and Imagination, now available in audio format. Having read it myself, I can promise you: it’s full of relatable, uplifting, and beautifully practical stories. Living with cerebral palsy and using an augmentative communication app, Brooke demonstrates that every voice — every single one — can inspire hope, healing, and opportunity. This is her second appearance on the show, so after watching, don’t forget to visit WereNotStumped.com to catch her first episode.
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