Dude Where’s My Ramp?

Medical, Charity, or Social Model? Rethinking Disability

In this episode of Dude, Where’s My Ramp?, Chandy and Emma dive deep into the different models of disability — the Medical Model, Charity Model, and Social Model — exploring how each one shapes society's treatment of disabled people.
From personal experiences with health systems, job interviews, and birthdays to Lilo & Stitch live-action critiques (yes, really), the episode blends real talk, laughs, and thoughtful analysis on what it means to be disabled in an often inaccessible world.
We explore:
What the Medical Model gets wrong — and what it misses
Why the Charity Model can feel patronising or disempowering
The liberation potential of the Social Model
Intersectionality, ableism, and lived experience
Why there’s no one way to understand disability
The power of language, autonomy, and access
Whether you're disabled, neurodivergent, an ally, or new to these conversations, this is a rich, honest, and affirming listen.
 
Mental Health Support Resources
If anything in this episode brings up difficult feelings or memories, please know you're not alone. There are people and organisations ready to listen and support you.
🇬🇧 UK Support Resources:
Samaritans – 24/7 emotional support: 📞 116 123 | samaritans.org
Shout – Text-based crisis support (24/7): 📱 Text SHOUT to 85258 | giveusashout.org
Mind – Mental health info & support: 📞 0300 123 3393 | mind.org.uk
Disability Rights UK – Advocacy & info: disabilityrightsuk.org
🇺🇸 USA Support Resources:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Free, 24/7 mental health support: 📞 Call or text 988 | 988lifeline.org
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – Helpline & peer support: 📞 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) | nami.org
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) – dredf.org
The Trevor Project – LGBTQ+ youth support: 📞 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 | thetrevorproject.org

Unpacking Ableism – The Many Faces of Discrimination

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Chandy and Emma explore the layered and often misunderstood realities of ableism—from external discrimination to internalised shame and lateral ableism within the disabled community.
They unpack how media stereotypes, childhood conditioning, assumptions in healthcare, and even well-meaning “inspiration porn” shape the way society and disabled people view themselves. Through real-life stories and raw reflection, they dig into what it means to navigate the world with dignity in a society not built with you in mind.
With moments of vulnerability, humour, and connection, this episode invites listeners to rethink what we’ve all been taught about “normal.”
🎧 Call to Action:What have you internalized as a personal failing that was actually structural?
🧠 Mental Health Support Resources
If anything discussed in this episode brought up difficult feelings or you’re in need of support, please know you’re not alone. Here are some places you can reach out to:
🇬🇧 UK Mental Health Support
Hub of Hope – A national mental health support database🌐 hubofhope.co.uk
Samaritans – 24/7 free support📞 Call 116 123
Mind – Information and mental health advocacy🌐 mind.org.uk | 📞 0300 123 3393
In an emergency? – Call 999 or go to A&E
🇺🇸 US Mental Health Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Free, 24/7 support📞 Call or text 988 | 🌐 988lifeline.org
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)🌐 nami.org | 📞 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Crisis Text Line – Text support from trained counselors📱 Text HELLO to 741741
You deserve support. Always.

Dude Where's My Ramp? Episode 1

In our very first episode, we lay it all out — who we are, why this podcast exists, and what it’s really like navigating life with a disability. From theory to lived experience, we kick off the convo on access, identity, and everything in between.