BABIES DOWN, BOTTLES UP

This episode is bigger than just a conversation, it's the start of something we're really excited about.
We're officially announcing our collaboration with AccessAbility Officer at the National Federation of the Blind National Convention in Austin, Texas, and this episode gives you a real look at why this partnership makes so much sense.
We're joined by Ellie from AccessAbility Officer, whose story is honestly hard to forget. Ellie takes us through her journey from being a client in the Certified Accessibility Testing program to becoming one of the instructors now helping others build careers in digital accessibility. But getting there was anything but easy.
She opens up about the Social Security nightmare that completely turned her family's life upside down, including a situation that forced her and her husband to live in separate states for an entire year while splitting up their children just to survive financially. At the same time, she was pushing through the CAT program, raising four children, and trying to rebuild stability for her family.
We also talk about the realities of working from home as a blind parent, balancing family life with a career, and why digital accessibility testing has become such a valuable employment path for blind and visually impaired people. Ellie breaks down what the CAT program actually teaches, the skills you need going in, and how the guaranteed job placement side of the program changes things for people trying to get their foot in the door.
There's also a lot of honest conversation about confidence, learning assistive tech at a high level, and the importance of finding work that gives you flexibility without sacrificing meaningful income.
If you've ever wondered what opportunities exist in accessibility, how remote work can fit into parenting, or what it looks like to completely rebuild after life knocks everything sideways, this one is going to stay with you.
And if you're heading to NFB National Convention in Austin, come find both Babies Down, Bottles Up and AccessAbility Officer. We're excited for what's coming next.
Get your hands on the Blind Parenting Guide and Toolkit Bundle: https://bdbushop.com
Find AccessAbility Officer
Website: https://accessabilityofficer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551205125629
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@accessabilityofficer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accessabilityofficer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessabilityofficer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AccessAbilityOfficer
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This one is one every parent needs to hear, even if you wish you didn’t.
We’re joined by Qudsiya Naqui, law professor, host of Down to the Struts, and a blind mom who breaks down what actually happens when parenting and the legal system collide. She gets into how disability is still being used against parents across the country, and why so many families are put in positions they never saw coming. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
We talk through the reality of CPS involvement, how easily situations can escalate, and what blind parents are up against on a daily basis. From understanding your state laws to building a support system, keeping documentation, and knowing your rights, this conversation is packed with information you hope you never need, but should have anyway.
Qudsiya also points to key research and resources that help make sense of all this, including Legal Ableism: A Systematic Review of State Termination of Parental Rights Laws and Disabling Families, which break down how these systems impact disabled families across the country.
Outside of the law, we get a glimpse into her personal life too, from meeting her husband on a dating app right before the world shut down, to building a family and raising her daughter while navigating a career in law.
If you're a disabled parent, thinking about starting a family, or trying to understand what your rights actually look like, take this one in.
Find Qudsiya and Down to the Struts
Down to the Struts
Getting Down to It Newsletter
LinkedIn
Instagram
Resources Mentioned
Legal Ableism: A Systematic Review of State Termination of Parental Rights Laws
Disabling Families
Get your hands on the Blind Parenting Guide and Toolkit Bundle: https://bdbushop.com
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We’re collaborating with Down to the Struts and featuring one of their episodes right here on Babies Down, Bottles Up.
In this crossover, Qudsiya is joined by NASA’s Denna Lambert for a conversation about the work she’s doing to push diversity, equity, inclusion, and access forward in space innovation and exploration. Denna shares her experience as part of the second disabled cohort to experience zero gravity and what that means for accessibility here on Earth.
She also talks about life as a single mom raising her four-year-old son, Kaleb, and how balancing motherhood with a career in a high-level space can feel like being in orbit some days.
Denna Lambert is a collaborator and advocate for inclusive innovation, with a focus on expanding access within space technology. Her work supports small businesses, underrepresented communities, and those looking to engage in NASA’s tech pipeline, all while building meaningful connections and opportunities in her community.
Find the full transcript here: Down to the Struts Transcript
Listen to Down to the Struts with Qudsiya here: Down to the Struts
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We’re getting ready for convention season, and you can feel the energy in this one.
We talk about what it’s like heading into a big convention, the excitement of being in the same space as the community, and finally getting to meet the people who listen every week. From past experiences to what we’re looking forward to this time around, this is a real look at why these events mean so much to us.
We also get into what it takes to actually make it work with kids. Traveling, navigating the crowds, keeping things organized, and still trying to enjoy the moment. If you’ve ever thought about going to a convention or you’re already planning your trip, there’s a lot here you’ll relate to.
Of course, we don’t stay on track the whole time. We somehow end up debating ideal pets and getting into the random superstitions we all still lowkey believe, because that’s just how these conversations go.
If you’re thinking about pulling up this year or you’ve been before, consider this your invite. Come find us, come say what’s up, and be part of it.
Get your hands on the Blind Parenting Bundle, a resource to help you feel more prepared for your journey as a blind parent: https://bdbushop.com
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We’re talking about something a lot of people still try to avoid, periods and puberty.
Terrin and Josselyn get into what it actually looks like to have these conversations with your kids, especially as blind moms raising girls who are trying to understand what’s happening to their bodies. From preparing for that first period to handling the emotions that come with it, this is one of those topics you can’t afford to ignore.
They share their own experiences, what worked, what didn’t, and how they approach it in a way that keeps things open instead of awkward or shame-filled. We talk hygiene, body changes, and the importance of making sure your kids feel comfortable asking questions without feeling embarrassed.
There’s also a real conversation around how these moments hit differently when you’re blind or raising a child who is, and why it matters to be intentional about how you explain things and build confidence early.
It’s honest, it’s needed, and it’s the kind of conversation more parents should be having out loud.
Get your hands on the Blind Parenting Bundle, a resource to help you feel more prepared for your journey as a blind parent: https://bdbushop.com
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