The Advocacy Life Podcast & Blog

Author: Kevin Núñez

  • Common Sense

    Common Sense

    Podcast Episode

    “Disability and death are the only two strategies in life.”

    In this episode of The Advocacy Life, Kevin Nuñez tackles a topic that the major news outlets are missing: The Social Security Restoration Act. Most people don’t realize that the rules governing SSI and SSDI haven’t been significantly updated since the 1970s.

    Kevin breaks down the “Common Sense” reasons why this legislation is a necessity for all Americans, regardless of political alliance. He shares personal insights into the “marriage penalty” and the “poverty trap” that prevents disabled individuals from saving money or building a life with a partner.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The Resource Gap: Why the $2,000 asset limit is outdated and counterproductive.
    • Equality in Marriage: Understanding why the current system punishes people with disabilities for getting married.
    • Beyond ABLE Accounts: Why the Serious Injury Restoration Act offers a more logical path forward than current savings tools.
    • How to Take Action: Your voice matters—learn how to tell your legislators to support this package of bills.

    Podcast transcript

    TAL S4 E8 Common senseDownload

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  • Finding Focus

    Finding Focus

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  • Grdianship: A Slippery Slope

    Grdianship: A Slippery Slope

    In the world of disability advocacy, we often talk about “gaps”—the moments where the system fails to catch us. Recently, New Jersey took a step to close one of those gaps. As of April 1, 2026, a new law allows families to begin the guardianship petition process six months before a child turns 18. On the surface, this is a “commonsense and compassionate” reform. It aims to eliminate the terrifying period where a young adult with medically complex needs might be left legally unprotected because of court delays.For

    For many families, this isn’t just paperwork; it’s peace of mind. We need to have a real conversation about what guardianship actually is. As someone who has lived in the “disability limbo” of society, I know that equality is about status, rights, and opportunities. While I understand that some individuals require the support of a guardian for their safety, we must admit that guardianship is a slippery slope. When we talk about guardianship,

    We are talking about the legal removal of an individual’s right to make their own choices—where to live, how to spend their money, and even who to see. It is, in many ways, a “fancy name” for a loss of independence. If we aren’t careful, we risk turning a protective measure into a permanent ceiling on a person’s potential. Every person with a disability has a “different normal,” but we all have the same fundamental human needs. My needs are different from a peer on the autism spectrum or someone with Down syndrome—not better or worse, just different.

    This is why guardianship cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. We must prioritize supported decision-making models that allow individuals to retain their rights while receiving the help they need. Just because someone needs help balancing a checkbook doesn’t mean they shouldn’t decide who they date or where they work.The ultimate objective should always be to help the individual “flourish and be triumphant” within their community, not to isolate them behind a legal barrier. I’m just trying to leave the world a little better than I found it. This new law in New Jersey is a win for efficiency and protection, but it’s also a reminder to all of us in the community to stay vigilant. We must ensure that “easier” access to guardianship doesn’t lead to “faster” erosion of our rights. Keep on rolling, keep on living.

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  • Remembering Section 504

    Remembering Section 504

    First things first: I’m back. After taking time for reflection and renewal during the Lent season, I am energized and ready to dive back into the fight. As I shared in Confessions from Disability Limbo, life is a series of “limbo” moments, but we don’t have to stay stuck. We move forward.

    Today, we need to talk about the bedrock of our rights. While many know the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we cannot forget its predecessor: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

    Section 504 was the first federal civil rights protection for us. It essentially says that if an entity gets federal money, it cannot shut us out. It’s why we have access to schools, hospitals, and community programs today.

    There is exciting news close to home. Lawmakers in Delaware are taking a massive stand by introducing legislation (like Senate Bill 198) to codify Section 504 protections directly into state law. Why does this matter? Because federal protections can sometimes feel like they’re on shifting sand. By putting these rights into state code, Delaware is ensuring that no matter what happens in Washington, disabled Delawareans have broad, enforceable protections for equal access. Perhaps our wonderful Garden State would consider such an initiative.

    We have to stay vigilant. There are currently several states renewing attacks on Section 504’s “integration mandate”—the very rule that keeps us out of institutions and in our communities.

    Section 504 isn’t just a “legal thing”—it’s about our dignity and our right to be “equal and contributing members of society”. Let’s keep building that stronger future together.

    Stay tuned for the next podcast episode! Keep on rolling. Keep on living

  • Hill Visits

    Hill Visits

    Podcast Episode

    Disability doesn’t have political parties; it only has champions.” 🏛️✨In this episode of The Advocacy Life, Kevin Nuñez dives into the “real stuff” of legislative advocacy. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually get a meeting with your representative or why non-partisanship is the secret weapon for disability rights, this episode is for you.In this episode, we discuss:The “First Kiss” Fun Fact: A lighthearted look back at young love and summer vibes. ☀️❤️Champions vs. Parties: Why disability rights must transcend the aisle to succeed.The Legislative Visit Roadmap: Practical steps to schedule, prepare for, and execute a meeting with your elected officials.Accountability: Why complaining about Congress isn’t enough—and what you should do instead.Don’t just watch—participate. It’s time to bridge the gap between the “Limbo” and the halls of power.

    Chapters:0:00 – Intro: Disability and Death1:15 – Fun Fact: My First Kiss 💋3:30 – Why Non-Partisanship Matters7:45 – How to Plan a Legislative Visit12:20 – Holding Officials Accountable15:00 – Final Thoughts: Stop Scrolling, Start Acting.

    Show Notes Moments I Was Made For episode:https://youtu.be/82f6cLbb1Xw?si=

    EpisodeTranscripthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/18o7jpJ2eZx3NdIxxsfG7xizl3btw2nn47OM8hFuI5rc/edit?usp=drivesdk

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  • Good in the Bad

    Good in the Bad

    Podcast Episode

    Is disability a punishment? A blessing? An inspiration? Or a detriment to society? These are heavy questions that many people are too afraid to ask, but on The Advocacy Life, we don’t do “comfortable.”In this episode, Kevin Nunez explores the complex duality of living with a disability. Moving past the “sanitized” versions of advocacy, Kevin discusses the “Good in the Bad”—the idea that you cannot have success without struggle, and you cannot have the “good” without accepting the “bad.” From Star Trek science officers to the deep theological questions of why disability exists, this episode is a call to find balance, ignore the noise of negativity, and accept your full self.In this episode, we discuss:The Nerd Minute: Kevin’s secret time-waster and his new captaincy on the USS New Jersey in Star Trek Online.The Spectrum of Perspective: Is disability a curse, a benefit, or a moral resource?The Balance of Life: Why accepting the “bad” is the only way to truly experience the “good.”Survival vs. Success: Breaking down the mindset required to move from a state of “regressing” to a state of “progressing.”The Power of God’s Grace: How faith plays a role in finding positivity amidst life’s hardest certainties.“You’re not going to have the good without the bad. You’ve got to learn to accept both. Find the balance. Find success.

    Show Notes None for this episode.Episode Transcripthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1WUagj4u6dhH5ovD0IYK1K05IVjywgjMQ/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=111303226198366895898&rtpof=true&sd=true

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  • Television’s Portrayal of Disability

    Television’s Portrayal of Disability

    Podcast Episode

    Description:

    Why is it that in the movies we watch and the reality TV we consume, disability is only portrayed in a handful of ways? Why are we always the “inspiration” or the “tragedy,” but never just the person?

    In this episode of The Advocacy Life, Kevin Nunez delves into the “Exposure Method” to explore how American media sanitizes the disability experience. From the “cute” portrayals on TV to the harsh reality of “survival math” and the lack of “days off” from a diagnosis, Kevin bridges the gap between how the world sees us and how we actually live.

    Show Notes 

    None for this episode.

    Episode Transcript

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aHVJO0FY-t5MWVXC0KYNN_wmff1Ur9kL/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111303226198366895898&rtpof=true&sd=true
  • Returning to the Happy Place

    Returning to the Happy Place

    A community Blog

    It might not surprise those of you who follow my work regularly that I don’t get out into the physical world as much as I’d like. Since the pandemic in 2020, the rising cost of living and the complexities of coordinating care have made “getting out” a major operation.While 95% of my advocacy work happens virtually—which has certainly made things more accessible—I have to be honest: I miss the personal touch. There is no digital substitute for a firm handshake with a colleague, a hug from a friend, or seeing a meaningful smile in person rather than through a Zoom tile.

    That is why I am so energized to share that at the end of March, I am heading back to my “Happy Place”: Washington, D.C.To some, D.C. is just a place where politicians work. But as a child, I never wanted to be a baseball player or an astronaut. I wanted to be in Washington. I wanted to be where the laws are made, because I knew that was where someone like me could make the most difference.

    Rolling—my way through Capitol Hill is my dream job. Representing the state of New Jersey and the individuals with disabilities in our community is a privilege I do not take lightly. It humbles me every single time.Before I can get on the road, the real work happens here at home. I am currently spending my afternoons contacting legislative offices to schedule visits on behalf of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD).These meetings are where the “Exposure Method” meets the “Legislative Process.We

    We aren’t just going there to share stories; we are going there to ensure that when policy is written, our lives are not treated as an afterthought or a “survival math” equation.Some might say these seminars are just formalities and that nothing really gets done. I disagree. In advocacy, small things add up to big things. Every phone call to a staffer, every scheduled visit, and every face-to-face conversation on the Hill is a brick in the bridge between existence and a full life.

    At 39, I’ve learned that the natural rhythm of life can sometimes feel like things are being taken away. But my message to you today is this: Don’t ever stop trying. Don’t ever stop reaching. Don’t ever stop getting excited.What might feel like “nothing” to someone else is “everything” to us. I can’t wait to head to the nation’s capital to represent you, and I look forward to telling you all about the adventures when I return. Keep on rolling. Keep on living.

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  • Values

    Values

    Podcast Episode

    Description:What exactly makes people uncomfortable about disability? Often, it’s because society only sees the “cute and cuddly” version of our lives. In this episode of The Advocacy Life Podcast, we’re breaking that mold.I’m talking about the power of full exposure. To bridge the gap in understanding, people need to see the raw, unfiltered reality of disability—not just the triumphs, but the struggles, the financial hurdles, and the everyday resilience required to navigate a world that wasn’t built for us.In this episode, we discuss:New Year’s Resolutions: I’m sharing an update on my goal to finish my next book draft by March and have it out by December 2026! How are your resolutions holding up in mid-February?The Exposure Method: Why showing the “uncomfortable” parts of disability is the only way to create true empathy and change.Existence vs. A Full Life: There is a massive difference between just “experiencing” life and actually living it. We explore how to find value in every moment.The Price of Advocacy: Why being a leader means being willing to be the first one to step into the fire.Universal Truths: Disability and death are the only two certainties in life. It’s time we stop hiding from them and start talking about them.We are all part of the same human story. Let’s stop wasting time and start living with purpose.📍

    TIMESTAMPS:0:00 – Introduction: What makes people uncomfortable?1:50 – New Year’s Resolution Update (Book 2026!)4:10 – Why we need to “Expose” Disability9:30 – Moving past the “After-School Special” version of our lives14:00 – The burden and beauty of being an Advocate19:45 – Living a Full Life vs. Just Existing24:00 – Final thoughts: Don’t waste your life.

    Show Notes None for this episode

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sjRHwzK5lMXPdYPIzxvr_P9DtwRyiap8/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=111303226198366895898&rtpof=true&sd=true

  • Valentine’s Day paradox

    Valentine’s Day paradox

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