Changing What’s Possible Podcast

This podcast introduces you to cutting-edge research, technology, and innovation that make real-life impacts on people with cerebral palsy and the whole disability community. Scientists are tackling crucial questions for every age and stage — the earliest interventions for at-risk babies, how to screen and classify chronic pain for more than 13 million people with cerebral palsy of all ages, how to use technology to advance research, and more.

Startup founders around the world are creating new products to make technology more accessible and more affordable to more easily facilitate mobility, communication, and participation in everyday life.

To dovetail with its life-changing cerebral palsy research, CPARF runs the Remarkable US program — part of the global Remarkable program founded and run by Australia’s Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Through this work, CPARF supports the development of new assistive devices and technology to improve the lives of people with cerebral palsy and the broader disability community.

During our seasons, you’ll hear from scientists focused on cerebral palsy research, entrepreneurs and experts who help bring life-changing products to the market, people with disabilities who share their valuable perspectives and lived experience using these innovations each day, and additional prominent voices in the disability community.

Listen and subscribe to learn more about how you or someone you care about can benefit from today’s latest advances in cerebral palsy research and disability technology.

Changing What’s Possible: The Disability Innovation Podcast

Remarkable Stories of Life-Changing Science and Tech 

New Episodes

Season Two | Episode Twelve | Improve How You Move and More With Noninvasive Spinal Stimulation from SpineX

Cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and other neurological conditions can impact how information travels from your brain to other parts of your body. SpineX, a startup company in our 2023 Remarkable US Accelerator Program, develops noninvasive solutions that use painless electrical stimulation to change the nervous system’s activity to improve function and enhance quality of life. In this episode, you’ll hear more about the company and its innovative Spinal Cord Innovation in Pediatrics (SCiP™) device and Spinal Cord Neuromodulation (SCONE™) device from Kara Allanach, SpineX’s Director of Product. In the second part of our interview, you’ll meet Jessica, Van, and Annika Oldham. They discuss Annika’s cerebral palsy, their experiences with the SCiP™ device as part of two clinical research studies, and the improvements they’ve seen in Annika’s mobility. 

Please note: SCiP™ and SCONE™ are investigational devices and are limited by US federal law to investigational use only. The Food and Drug Administration has not yet reviewed the safety and effectiveness of SCIP™ or SCONE™. SpineX has not yet determined the most effective method of timing for therapy and is currently investigating these parameters in ongoing clinical trials. 

Season Two | Episode Eleven | Walk With Confidence Wearing Cutting-Edge Shoes from Cadense

Walking difficulties can lead to dangerous falls and limit mobility for people with many different conditions. While devices like ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), complex robotics, and walking aids like canes or walkers can help, they have their downsides. Usually, they’re not made with aesthetics in mind, often cost too much, and they can attract unwanted stares and questions from strangers. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Tyler Susko, Founder and CTO of Cadense, Inc., a company that aims to revolutionize the way people with walking difficulties experience movement. Tyler shares the story of multiple innovations, including the development of their Cadense shoes — stylish footwear made with variable friction technology for people who have difficulty swinging their foot forward during walking. They’ve created shoes to allow a person’s foot to discreetly slide over obstacles to prevent tripping.

Season Two | Episode Ten | Engage With Tech Your Way With Accessible Controls From Cephable — Part 2

Imagine being able to play a game, create an important presentation, or engage in a virtual class with just a series of simple words, gestures, and face expressions. This kind of freedom and flexibility to control technology can open doors and create opportunities for many people around the world who can’t easily use game consoles, computers, or other devices. With a free app from Cephable (formerly Enabled Play), speech, facial expressions, head positions, shaking, tilting, and virtual buttons can all be used to personalize how you control the technology in your life. In the second part of our two-part interview, Cephable Founder and CEO Alex Dunn talks more about how Cephable differs from other resources, how they continue to incorporate feedback from their community, and what users can expect in the future.

Season Two | Episode Nine | Engage With Tech Your Way With Accessible Controls From Cephable — Part 1

Technology can accelerate learning at school, enhance productivity at work, and create fun ways to play and engage with friends and family. But if you’re someone who has difficulty using traditional technology controls like a keyboard, mouse, or game controller, you might feel like you’re being left behind. Cephable, formerly known as Enabled Play, is dedicated to leveling the playing field when it comes to accessing technology, and we’re excited to support Cephable through our 2023 Remarkable US Accelerator Program. In the first part of our two-part interview, we’ll introduce you to Cephable Founder and CEO Alex Dunn. He shares his background, the story behind Cephable, and how the company is working to provide more flexibility around user interaction with technology through their innovative free app.

Season Two | Episode Eight | Say Goodbye to UTIs With Aurie’s No-Touch, Reusable Catheter System

Planning each day around going to the bathroom can make it difficult to do everything you want in life, and reusing a typical intermittent catheter can put you at high risk for potentially deadly urinary tract infections. For stroke survivors, people with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions, intermittent catheterization is the most common way to empty their bladders. 

In the first part of this episode, you’ll meet Souvik Paul, CEO and Founder of Aurie, a startup company in our 2023 Remarkable US Accelerator Program. Aurie is working to improve the health, freedom, and quality of life for the millions of people around the world who use intermittent catheters by developing a new no-touch, reusable catheter system. Our second guest, Carina Ho, sustained a spinal cord injury and inspired Souvik to start Aurie. She shares her story and personal perspective.

Season Two | Episode Seven | Grasp Your Goals With Assistive Tech from Hominid X – Part 2

From simple straps to complex robots, many products have been developed over the years to help people with hand disabilities. But most of them aren’t suitable for daily use because they’re too cumbersome, feel uncomfortable, require frequent charging, or are highly specialized to help with just one kind of task. In the second episode of our two-part interview, you’ll hear more about how Hominid X designs user-friendly assistive grasping tools that empower people with hand disabilities to achieve their goals. Hominid X Founder and CEO Thane Hunt joins us again to share more about the company and one of their products called The Modern Cuff. Our second guest is Megan Dloniak, a stroke survivor who has been using Hominid X’s products in her everyday life. She provides important perspectives from her lived experience and shares how Hominid X’s products are helping her achieve her own entrepreneurial dreams.

Season Two | Episode Six | Grasp Your Goals With Assistive Tech from Hominid X – Part 1

Limited hand function can make everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, or writing difficult for people around the world with cerebral palsy, stroke, and many other conditions. To address these challenges, Hominid X is developing and delivering wearable assistive products that can help people increase their independence and enhance their lives. In this episode, you’ll meet Thane Hunt, Founder and CEO of Hominid X — one of the startup companies in our 2023 Remarkable US Accelerator Program. In addition to this work, Thane is a Senior Systems Engineer at Desktop Metal. In the first episode of this two-part interview, Thane introduces himself, shares the story of how Hominid X came to be, and tells us more about Fiber — one of their innovative products that’s an easy-to-use assistive device for people with hand weakness or paralysis. 

Season Two | Episode Five | Jonathan Kaufman Shares How Disability Innovation Shapes Business and Culture

“Disability is the essence of diversity.” In this episode, Jonathan Kaufman shares valuable insights on how disabled perspectives enrich our culture, enhance businesses, and spark innovation. We also discuss challenges, changes, and opportunities for the future of disability innovation. Jonathan draws from his own personal experiences as an adult with cerebral palsy, as well as from decades of engagement with disabled individuals and communities. He is an executive coach, psychotherapist, and strategist; has a column in Forbes Magazine called “Mindset Matters,” and he was formerly a Policy Advisor to the White House on Diversity and Disability.

Season Two | Episode Four | Making Maps More Accessible with XR Navigation – Part 2

Traditional navigation solutions just don’t meet the needs of people with limited or no vision, but new innovations are making it easier for this community to access geographic information. Brandon Biggs, CEO of XR Navigation, joins us again for part two of our conversation about his company. XR Navigation is a startup in the 2023 Remarkable US Accelerator Program that is working to improve the accessibility of maps and other navigation solutions. Additionally, their products make it possible for blind users to access important information that’s often conveyed visually with map images, such as data on air quality, storm trajectories, and wildfire risk. This part of our interview focuses on the technology behind XR Navigation’s products, how the products work, what makes them unique, and what Brandon envisions for the future of the company.

Season Two | Episode Three | Making Maps More Accessible with XR Navigation – Part 1

For people with limited or no vision, getting to a new destination can be difficult and frustrating. XR Navigation, a startup in the 2023 Remarkable US Accelerator Program, is working to change this. In our two-part interview, Brandon Biggs, CEO of XR Navigation, talks about how they are using tactile 3D interactive maps, digital auditory maps, and turn-by-turn wayfinding to make navigation more accessible and intuitive for users. They’re also providing much-needed accessibility solutions for a wide variety of other map applications, including weather, disease prevalence, and political districting. In developing XR Navigation’s products and services, Brandon draws from his lived experience as a blind person, and he discusses how their products are addressing some of the pain points in his own life. This episode focuses on Brandon’s background and how XR Navigation came to be. 

Season Two | Episode Two | Springrose: Preserve Independence With Adaptive Intimate Apparel

Getting dressed shouldn’t have to be difficult or painful for anyone. In this episode, Nicole Cuervo, CEO of Springrose, shares how their adaptive intimates are transforming the way women get dressed. Springrose is one of the startups participating in the 2023 Remarkable US Accelerator Program. Listen to learn more about Springrose and their first product, a bra designed with a variety of features that make it comfortable, stylish, and easy for people with a wide range of conditions to put on and adjust.

Season Two | Episode One | Molly Levitt Shares How Remarkable US Drives Innovation

Innovation can change millions of lives around the world, and disability innovation often paves the way for new technology that can benefit both people with and without disabilities. In this episode, Remarkable US Director Molly Levitt kicks off season two of our show by highlighting the importance of disability innovation and the demand for affordable, accessible products. She explains Remarkable’s global presence, its origin and Australian leadership by Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and its expansion into the US. She also discusses how Remarkable US — run by US-based Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation — currently supports six outstanding startup companies that are each developing exceptional products and services with and for people with disabilities.

Season Two | Episode Zero | Jocelyn Cohen Gets Us Ready for Season Two of Changing What’s Possible 

CPARF is excited to release new episodes with outstanding guests this season! In this introductory episode, Jocelyn Cohen, CPARF’s Vice President of Communications and Engagement, shares updates about the 2023 Remarkable US Accelerator Program and what to expect in this season of the podcast, which starts on Friday, May 12th.

Catch up on Season One

Season One | Episode Eight | Increasing Access to Affordable High-Quality Wheelchairs With Participant Assistive Products 

The right wheelchair can transform someone’s life by allowing them to attend school, helping them participate in their community, and more. This episode’s guests share how their company Participant Assistive Products works to bring affordable, high-quality mobility products to children all over the world. Keoke King, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Participant Assistive Products, describes what makes their products unique and how they reach underserved communities. Next, Dave Calver, Participant’s Chief Clinical Officer and Co-Founder, shares stories from people in Mexico and Colombia who’ve used their new Cub wheelchair, and how it benefits people.

Season One | Episode Seven | Ease Your Mind Post-Stroke With Nuroflux’s Portable Brain Monitoring

Approximately 15 million people worldwide have a stroke each year, and clinical monitoring after a stroke is critical for early detection of secondary strokes. In this episode, we hear more about the start-up company Nuroflux from Sam van Bohemen, Co-founder, CEO, and CTO. Nuroflux is part of the Remarkable Accelerator Program, and they are creating a wearable system that provides continuous, quantitative monitoring of blood flow and activity in the brain for use in people after a stroke. Later in this episode, David Smith shares insights about his stroke and recovery before Nuroflux was created. He discusses his experience and how he thinks Nuroflux could help others who have a stroke in the future.

Season One | Episode Six | Travel Better With an Accessible Audio Guide to the World From Vacayit 

This episode features Vacayit, a Remarkable Accelerator Program (#RA22) startup company that created an accessible travel platform for blind and low-vision tourists. Vacayit CEO and Founder Hailey Brown tells us more about the company and how they use audio to share stories, soundscapes, and history from places all over the world. Next, we hear from Lisa McEwan, Head of Content at Vacayit, who draws from personal experience to bring the feeling of different destinations to life by creating and curating content tailored to people with low to no vision.

Season One | Episode Five | Make Walking Easier One Step at a Time With Wearable Robotics From Biomotum 

Around 30 million people around the world experience mobility challenges that impact their daily activities. We’re excited to introduce you to Biomotum, a start-up company dedicated to developing life-changing rehabilitation robotics to help improve mobility for people with cerebral palsy and a wide range of other conditions and disabilities. Biomotum Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Zach Lerner shares more about the company and their SPARK device in the first half of this episode. Nicole Hastings joins us in the second half of the episode to share her son’s experiences using the Biomotum SPARK over the past three years.

Season One | Episode Four | Personalize Your Health and Fitness with Accessercise: An Accessible Fitness App 

Take control of your own health and fitness with a new exercise app designed specifically for people with disabilities! In this episode, we introduce you to Accessercise, a start-up company in the Remarkable Accelerator Program (#RA22) that helps people with a wide range of disabilities independently achieve their fitness goals. Ali Jawad, four-time Paralympian Powerlifter and Co-Founder of Accessercise, shares the company’s story and how his experiences informed the development of their innovative exercise app. In the second half of the episode, Becky Porte shares how Accessercise has helped in her own fitness journey, as well as her work as a personal trainer for others with disabilities.

Season One | Episode Three | Bring Your Therapy Anywhere With RecoveryVR 

Virtual reality (VR) has many exciting applications. This episode highlights a start-up company in the Remarkable Accelerator Program (#RA22) that is using VR to enhance rehabilitation and therapy. RecoveryVR CEO and Founder Christian Doran describes how they are increasing engagement and enjoyment during therapy sessions for people with a wide variety of health conditions and disabilities. Our second guest, Ian Cheok, is an occupational therapist in Australia who uses RecoveryVR to personalize and augment the therapy he provides for his patients who experience chronic pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other conditions.

Season One | Episode Two | Empower Yourself at Home With Smart Tech from Homeable

In our conversations with Zoe Davies and Mel Le Bas, we discuss personalized and accessible smart home solutions from the Australian startup company Homeable, a participant in the 2022 Remarkable Accelerator Program (#RA22). As one of the co-founders, Zoe is dedicated to increasing independence and empowerment for people living with disabilities in their own homes. Mel Le Bas shares how she helps the team develop Homeable and uses it to customize her own home with accessible smart technology tailored specifically to her needs and priorities.

Season One | Episode One | Navigation Through Vibration: Using Haptics with WearWorks

In this episode, Keith Kirkland and Markeith Price join us to share the story of Wayband and the company WearWorks. As a Co-Founder of WearWorks, Keith talks about how Wayband is changing the way people who are blind or have visual impairments can navigate the world every day. In the second half of this episode, Markeith Price, an elite track and field athlete and two-time US Paralympian with limited vision, describes his experiences using WayBand. WearWorks is a US-based start-up company in the latest cohort (#RA22) of the Remarkable Accelerator Program. 

Season One | Episode Zero | Welcome to Changing What’s Possible with Jocelyn Cohen

In this episode, Jocelyn Cohen, Vice President of Communications and Engagement at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF), introduces you to CPARF and its mission. She shares why they created this exciting new podcast series focused on disability innovation and what to expect in upcoming episodes starting July 1, 2022.

Thanks for listening! We’d love to know what you think of Changing What’s Possible. Please leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform, share your favorite episode with your friends, and help spread the word on social media. 

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter