Making Public Spaces and Transportation Accessible for Neurodivergent People. With Guest: Rebecca Tarrant, J.D.
What makes a city, a transit system, or a restaurant truly accessible for neurodivergent people? In episode 003 of Curb Cuts and Conversations, I sit down with Rebecca Tarrant, J.D. — American lawyer, global autism advocate, founder and CEO of Autistic Youth International, mom to an AuDHD son, and an AuDHD person herself — for one of the richest conversations the show has had yet. We talk about what makes public spaces and transportation accessible for neurodivergent people, bust some of the biggest myths about autism, and dig into why the social model of disability — the idea that it's hostile environments, not people, that create barriers — matters so much for how we design our cities. ----- Watch Episode 003 on YouTube! ----- About E003 Guest: Rebecca Tarrant, J.D. Late diagnosis is typical for autistic women, who are frequently overlooked. Rebecca's shares that experience. Rebecca's work centres lived experience. She donates inclusive children's books featuring Autistic and neurodivergent characters to schools and libraries, designs sensory-friendly community events, and collaborates with educators, businesses, and community leaders to create measurable social impact. She is the mom of Jackson, a nine-year- old AuDHD child. Rebecca has ADHD, and was herself diagnosed with Autism 2025. Her belief is simple: when children see themselves reflected in books and community spaces, it changes how they see themselves — and how the world sees them. Rebecca Tarrant, J.D. on LinkedIn ----- E003 Extended Show Notes e-Book pdf Full resource list — including all links mentioned in this episode — is available as a downloadable PDF: ----- About the Show Curb Cuts and Conversations is a Canadian podcast about accessibility, urbanism, and transportation — how cities around the world are designed, and who gets left out when we get it wrong. Hosted by Elizabeth (Liz) McCready, with regular cameos by her cats and co-hosts Boo and Maybel. Liz is a marketing and communications professional, designer (graphic design and knitting), content creator, and wheelchair user. Stay connected: Instagram: @GingerKiwiOnWheels YouTube: @GingerKiwiOnWheels LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmccready Merch: https://Shop.CurbCuts.fm Wheelie Awesome Socials, social events for wheelchair users: https://events.CurbCuts.fm Coming soon: Accessibility Across the Algorithm — Social media. Made accessible. Adaptively Dressed, the Adaptive Fashion Podcast Music licensed on TuneReel by Ikoliks: Beautiful Place, From Miles Away #Neurodiversity #Autism #AuDHD #AccessibleDesign #WheelchairLife #PublicTransit #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #Podcast #Toronto #UrbanDesign #Transit #LateAutismDiagnosis
