Becoming the Coolest Person I Know with Tiffany Yu, Disability Advocate | Ep. 16
In this episode, Hannah and Amy sit down with Tiffany Yu, disability advocate, founder of Diversability, and author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. If you are listening on the day this drops, the paperback version comes out tomorrow, October 13, 2026, and it is available in hardback, paperback, e-book, audiobook, and plain language editions.
Tiffany’s story begins at nine years old, on a car ride home with her dad and siblings. He lost control of the car. He passed away, and Tiffany acquired several disabilities including a permanently paralyzed arm and, diagnosed almost two decades later, PTSD. She calls what she experienced compounded grief: the grief of losing a loved one, the body grief of existing in a suddenly changed body, and the grief of lost childhood innocence. Naming those layers, she says, is what allowed her to begin healing through them.
The conversation covers what it means to use the word disability without euphemism, the difference between person-first and identity-first language, the cultural dimensions of disability within Asian families, the shift from pathology to culture, and what disability pride and disabled joy actually look like in practice. Tiffany also shares her five pillars of advocacy, community, education, economic empowerment, civic engagement, and joy, and talks about her current recovery era, navigating her first surgery in 30 years and the unexpected emotions it has surfaced.
Find Tiffany
Diversability — Tiffany’s community organization focused on helping disabled people self-actualize and become proud of who they are. The Anti-Ableism series on social media features guests sharing one way to show up better for the disability community.
The Anti-Ableist Manifesto by Tiffany Yu
Now available in paperback. Also available in hardback, e-book, audiobook, and plain language editions. The book is organized from me to we to us: what anti-ableism means for you, within your community, and at the societal level. Every chapter is seven to eight pages, the chapter title is the takeaway, and each closes with reflection questions. At the end of the book is the anti-ableist manifesto artwork, 30 statements corresponding to chapters, now available as merch through Diversability. Buy the book here.
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
VIA Character Strengths Assessment: A free quiz that identifies your top character strengths and values, originally introduced to Tiffany through the Science of Happiness course on Coursera. Take the assessment here.
The Science of Happiness Course (Coursera): Developed by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and Dr. Laurie Santos. Find it here.
Made of Millions A nonprofit working to destigmatize mental health disabilities. Tiffany references their finding that the average treatment gap for mental health conditions is approximately 10 years. madeofmillions.com
What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo: A memoir about healing through complex PTSD, recommended by Tiffany for listeners who want to understand the Asian immigrant experience and how mental health conditions are often hidden through achievement. Find it here.
Minds of All Kinds | Kaleidoscope Society Founded by Margo Joffe, a community for women with ADHD, now expanded into Minds of All Kinds, focused on neurodivergent inclusion.
Annie B's Homemade Ice Cream Shop A family-owned ice cream shop created so their daughter with disabilities would have employment after high school. They hire people with disabilities as their primary staff.
Cape Abilities An organization providing work training, work opportunities, and learning for adults with disabilities on Cape Cod. They run a store supporting local artists, operated by people with disabilities.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The law Tiffany references when explaining why the word disability matters. Knowing your rights starts here.
Disability Is Not a Bad Word Campaign The campaign running on buses and in LAX that Tiffany references.
CONNECT WITH US
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This podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health support. Please reach out to a qualified licensed provider if you need help.
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