Brad Bartko: Trailblazing a positive path for persons with disabilities

Brad Bartko: Trailblazing a positive path for persons with disabilities

Meet Brad Bartko, a man whose life is a testament to resilience and advocacy. Born three months premature with Cerebral Palsy, Brad was given just 24 hours to live. Fast forward to today, and you'll find him not only surviving but thriving as a disability advocate and co-founder of Accessible by Design, alongside his wife, Jenn.

In this episode of 'Relentless-The Podcast', host Kyle Dubé sits down with Brad to discuss his incredible journey and relentless pursuit of creating a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Brad's story is one of defying odds—he played 15 years of Sledge hockey, even representing Team Alberta. But his mission goes beyond personal achievements. Brad wants to shift the focus from disabilities to abilities, urging society to hold higher standards for accessibility and universal design.

Throughout the episode, Brad opens up about his childhood, the support he received from his family and community, and the challenges he faced in spaces not designed for him. He passionately talks about the need for inclusive playgrounds and how everyone can contribute to making public spaces more accessible. Brad's advocacy work with Accessible by Design aims to create tangible changes and provide resources for those with disabilities.

The conversation also touches on the representation of disability in media, offering a nuanced perspective on how inclusivity can be better achieved. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the importance of accessibility and the power of relentless determination.