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November 14, 2025

Amplifying Access

Amplifying Access
# Accessibility
# Ally

The Fix Your Content Day Playlist

Katie Grennell, PhD.
Katie Grennell, PhD.
Amplifying Access

Setting the Tone

Ally's Fix Your Content Day is more than just a day of digital accessibility work—it's a celebration of inclusion, equity, and the power of small actions to make a big difference. And what better way to energize your team and set the tone than with a carefully curated playlist?
For some background: my colleague and I recently delivered a presentation to a group of institutions using Ally on suggestions for approaching Fix Your Content Day. Towards the end of the presentation, during our Q&A portion, we learned that one institution creates a Microsoft Teams meeting that runs all day long, allowing faculty to join in when they can and work alongside their colleagues. When an attendee jokingly suggested playing music throughout the team meeting, it sparked the idea of making a unique playlist specifically for FYCD.
Fortunately for me, music has always been central to my life. My mom was a jazz singer, my grandmother a concert pianist, and my brother played in a band—I grew up singing and playing piano myself. While I loved performing, what truly fascinated me was the history behind the songs, the lyrics, and the cultural movements they reflected. That passion led me to pursue history, and eventually I found a creative path through American Studies, which allowed me to combine music, history, and disability studies in an interdisciplinary way. Over 18 years of teaching, I’ve woven music into every class—sometimes by sharing songs tied to a theme, other times by exploring genres and their historical context. Protest music, in particular, has long exposed injustice and driven social change, making it a powerful lens for understanding history and culture.
Music has long been a powerful tool for social change, motivation, and mindfulness. That power isn’t just historical by nature, it is something we can tap into today. If music can fuel movements and connect communities, it can certainly energize our efforts to make learning more inclusive. And perhaps, it can make those efforts more enjoyable and melodic along the way.
This playlist is divided into three sections to support your day: songs about disability rights or the lived experiences of being disabled, motivational anthems, and instrumental focus tracks. Not every song needs to have a direct historical connection to disability rights, it can simply be a track that sparks joy or lifts your spirits. After all, music brings different kinds of happiness: sometimes it energizes us, sometimes it comforts us, and sometimes it helps us focus. Whether you're adding alternative text to images or addressing insufficient color contrast during FYCD, let these songs inspire and support your work.
The majority of the songs have been put into a public Spotify playlist, and for the few tracks that aren’t available on Spotify, they are available on YouTube. Those songs are marked with an asterisk (*) so you can easily find them in the list. To access the FYCD 2025 Playlist, visit Fix Your Content Day 2025 Spotify Playlist.
Please note: Some of the songs in this playlist may contain lyrics that are emotionally intense or address sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised, and we encourage you to choose tracks that feel comfortable and motivating for you.
I’d also like to extend a big thank you to my colleagues and Ally users for sharing their ideas and song suggestions—your contributions helped make this playlist truly collaborative and meaningful!

Songs about Disability Rights or the lived experiences of being disabled

These tracks reflect the spirit, history, and voices of disability rights, as both a movement and ongoing cause. Many of these songs have empowered generations to speak up and demand access and equity. Others included in the list are either directly related to or intimate common themes associated with the lived experiences of being disabled.
  • “Let me Shine” by various artists
  • This is an anthem for autism that features young people with severe autism and highlights the power of music to connect and communicate.
  • “Harder than you think” by Public Enemy
  • Used as the theme for the UK Paralympics and still used as the theme for The Last Leg (originally began as a companion show for the 2012 London Paralympic Games).
  • “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” by John Parr
  • Inspired by Rick Hansen’s cross-Canada wheelchair journey, celebrating determination and bringing attention to disability and accessibility.
  • “Song of Two Halves” by Robin Surgeoner*
  • A poignant reflection on disability identity and the journey toward self-acceptance.
  • “Don’t Laugh at Me” by Baby Jay
  • A heartfelt plea for empathy and understanding, often used in anti-bullying and inclusion campaigns.
  • “The Cripples’ Shield Wall” by Leslie Fish
  • A powerful folk anthem celebrating disabled people’s strength and solidarity, using the reclaimed term “cripple” to honor pride and resistance within the disability community.
  • “Turn It Up Louder” –by Beethoven’s Nightmare*
  • A Deaf rock band that performs in American Sign Language—this track is a celebration of Deaf culture and expression.
  • “The ADA Anthem”-Jeff Moyer*
  • Uplifting tribute celebrating the passage and impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act through music and advocacy. Very reminiscent of folk music from the 1960s and 1970s!
  • “Choices and Rights” by Johnny Crescendo
  • A classic from the UK disability rights movement, this song is a call for autonomy and equality.

Motivational Anthems

Many of these songs not only inspire perseverance and determination but also speak to themes of social change, often becoming anthems associated with larger cultural or social justice movements. Then there are the other songs on the list that have little to do with social change and are more about individual empowerment. In other words, they made the list because they have provided some type of joy or motivation for those that contributed to this playlist. That's the magic of music: it resonates uniquely with each of us. If none of these songs speak to you, think of some that do and take some time to listen to them. But until then, please consider the list of songs below.
  • “A Change Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
  • Considered one of the anthems of the Civil Rights Movement, this song has been used in other social movements as a stark reminder of the need for change. Cooke also happens to be my favorite male vocalist of all time, so it was mandatory he made the cut.
  • “Rise Up” by Andra Day
  • A modern anthem of resilience and hope, this song has become a favorite in disability rights spaces for its powerful message of perseverance.
  • “My Shot” from the Hamilton Soundtrack
  • An energizing about ambition, resilience, and seizing opportunity, capturing Alexander Hamilton’s relentless drive to make his mark on history.
  • “Changes” by David Bowie
  • Fun fact: I have a framed post with lyrics from this song in my dining room (turn and face the strange). This song reflects on personal growth, reinvention, and the inevitability of transformation throughout life.
  • “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” by the Beatles
  • A cheerful, upbeat pop song celebrating everyday life, love, and the simple joys of family and community. Interestingly enough, it was also the theme song for the show Life Goes On, which was one of the first prime-time TV shows to portray a main character with a disability as a fully realized, central member of the family and community.
  • “Enter Sandman” by Metallica
  • This may seem an odd choice, but this song plays on repeat daily at the Grennell household thanks to my 8-year-old son. He has declared that this song “really pumps him up!”
  • “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
  • An empowering anthem about finding inner strength and perseverance in the face of doubt and adversity. Multiple Anthologists recommended this song.
  • “Unstoppable” by Sia
  • A bold declaration of confidence and resilience, celebrating the power to face challenges and project strength.
  • “Running up that Hill” by Kate Bush
  • A colleague told me that any playlist that does not include Kate Bush immediately loses its legitimacy, so with this inclusion, I hereby declare this playlist legitimate! It is also featured heavily in season 4 of Stranger Things (IFKYK).
  • “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara
  • An uplifting song that challenges beauty standards and encourages self-acceptance and confidence.
  • “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga
  • Released in 2011, it became an anthem for disability rights by celebrating self-acceptance and empowering people to embrace who they are, challenging stigma and promoting pride in all forms of identity and difference. It is also associated heavily with the LGBTQIA+ movement.
  • “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
  • Featured in Rocky, this song has become synonymous with training, motivation, and hard work. Also great for a movie montage!
  • "Blue Skies” by Ella Fitzgerald
  • Fitzgerald’s rendition of Blue Skies is melodic, uplifting, and effortlessly beautiful. It radiates optimism and grace, perhaps when we need it the most.
  • “The James Bond Theme” by the City of Prague Philharmonic
  • I listened to this nonstop while writing my dissertation. There is something about it that makes me feel like I can do anything (including waiting for a woman to play the next James Bond, please don’t come after me for this wish).
  • “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk
  • An electronic anthem about self-improvement, progress, and pushing human potential through technology and determination.
  • “Orange Colored Sky” by Nat King Cole
  • Upbeat, powerful instrumentals coupled with Cole’s silky-smooth voice make this song a must when I need an extra boost.
  • “The Long Way Around” by The Chicks
  • I was obsessed with this song when I went to Europe for the first time. It took me two years to save for my trip, and I took on every additional babysitting job I could, and it paid off. Listening to it gave me comfort that sometimes our path might take winding turns, or take longer than we would have liked, but that’s okay.
  • “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
  • Similar to how my colleague feels about Kate Bush, is the way I feel about this song. I mean, is it even a playlist if at least one Whitney song isn’t on there?! This song is perfect to sing along to in the car or listen to before an important meeting or presentation to get you pumped up!
  • “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett
  • This song makes it next to impossible not to move to the beat!
  • “What’d I Say” by Ray Charles
  • A pioneering blind musician, Ray Charles not only broke barriers for the disabled and black communities but also reshaped American music history, with iconic songs like “What’d I Say” and a catalogue full of infectious melodies and thrilling energy that cemented his transformative legacy.
  • “Shout, Pts. 1&2” by the Isley Brothers
  • If you are from Buffalo, NY, you are acutely aware of the popularity and significance of this song, as it is played at every single Buffalo Bills game. In addition to its association with the Bills, it is also a high-energy song that challenges even the most cantankerous of individuals not to sing along and dance.
  • “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder
  • A strong advocate for the disabled community, particularly the blind, this song never fails to make me happy and get me motivated.
  • “Uptight” by Stevie Wonder
  • The outstanding instrumentals in the song, accompanied by the magic of Wonder’s voice have always served as a source of motivation and excitement for me.

Focus Tracks

When it’s time to focus, these tracks offer a calming backdrop for deep work. Because we all learn and work differently, choosing the right music is a deeply personal decision, and what helps one person concentrate might distract another. These selections are designed to minimize interruptions and maintain energy, whether through gentle instrumentals, lo-fi beats, or subtle ambient sounds that support your unique workflow and process.
  • “Star Wars Main Title” by John Williams
  • All of the John Williams songs listed here, not just the beloved “Star Wars Main Title”, hold a special place on the soundtrack of my childhood. When I want to enjoy music but not get lost in the lyrics, or when I want to be reminded of my childhood and parents, I play the scores from the films I grew up on.
  • “The Imperial March” (Darth Vader’s Theme) by John Williams
  • “Princess Leia’s Theme” by John Williams
  • “Hedwig’s Theme“ by John Williams
  • “Theme from Jurassic Park” by John Williams
  • ·“Raiders March” by John Williams
  • “Harry’s Wondrous World” by John Williams
  • “Dobby the House Elf” by John Williams
  • “Buckbeak’s Flight” by John Williams
  • “Water Music” by George Frideric Handel
  • Handel, who had a history of anxiety and depression and later developed what scholars believe was rheumatism in his right hand, affecting his ability to compose and conduct, created “Water Music” during a period when he regularly turned to the water for therapeutic relief, giving the work a meaningful connection to his experiences of disability and healing.
  • “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones
  • A soft, melodic tune that provides instant comfort and peace.
  • ¡ “Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77” by Johannes Brahms
  • “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig Beethoven
  • Easily considered as one of the greatest composers in the Western Music Canon, Beethoven has often been heralded as a creative genius despite being disabled, or worse, considered to have overcame his disability through his art. Both are extremely problematic and ableist views, steeped in the medical model of disability. I am of the belief that Beethoven should be revered and studies as a whole person, an artist whose deafness shaped his life and creativity, but remained just one part of a rich, complex identity that cannot be reduced to his disability alone.
  • “Symphony No. 6 Pastoral”, 1st & 2nd Movements by Ludwig Beethoven
  • "London" Symphony No. 104 by Joseph Haydn
  • Haydn’s bold use of sudden contrasts, unexpected twists, and innovative musical structures broke sharply from the musical conventions of his era, challenging traditional norms of the Classical period.
  • “Carnaval”, Op. 9 by Robert Schumann
  • Robert Schumann’s music subtly reflects his experiences with mental illness, particularly madness, using fragmented motifs, sudden mood shifts, and emotional intensity to convey an inner world shaped by disability.
Happy Fix Your Content Day!!!
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