A blind man. A woman who stutters and has learning disabilities. A wheelchair user. A little person. While this may sound like a description of a support group, it is, in fact, the lineup for the "Comedians with Disabilities Act," a comedy tour that the San Francisco Examiner called "The most unconventional comics to pop up in 2011." The foursome, all of them working northern California comedians, met each other through the comedy club circuit and decided to band together to treat audiences to a unique and unforgettable experience. "Lots of able-bodied comedians out there tell blind or wheelchair jokes and get the audience to laugh AT people with disabilities," said Michael O'Connell, the group's wheelchair representative. "But we thought wouldn't it be more fun for the crowd to laugh WITH people with disabilities instead? That's guilt-free fun right there." Since their sold-out debut show in Sacramento, the group has been in growing demand, getting booked at such lauded venues as the Laugh Factory in Hollywood and San Francisco's Punch Line. Their comedy comes from the lifetime of experiences each has had due to their individual challenges. They see the tour as not only a chance to entertain, but to educate people on disability issues. "We're all comedians first," said Napa native Steve Danner, who identifies as a little person, "and it's a comedy show. But who says you can't make people laugh and send them home with something to think about too?" Danner's comedy career began as an audience member at a club. The comedian on stage that night decided to have some fun at his expense, and Danner's skills in heckling back at him led the comic to approach Danner after the show and suggest he give comedy a try. Danner did so, and soon began a career as a prolific comedian and producer, delighting crowds at clubs and comedy rooms all over the west coast with hysterical tales centered heavily on his dwarfism. His comic journey keeps him on the road much of the time, but as Danner is fond of saying, "Shrimpin' ain't easy!" Michael O'Connell was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at two years old and began using a wheelchair in 1995. But it wasn't until years later that a friend dared him to try doing comedy at an open mic night at a Sacramento club, and after ending up winning the competition that first night on stage, he never looked back. He's played comedy clubs from Seattle to L.A. (including the Hollywood Improv and the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club), been featured in newspapers and on radio and television, and counts several Hollywood celebrities among his fans. His business card reads "100% Comedy, 0% Stand-Up." Sacramento's Eric Mee was only eighteen years old when, while protecting a young child from an attack, he was stabbed in the chest. Complications resulting from his injury led to the loss of his eyesight. Choosing not to let this drastic life change divert him from his goals, he began joking about his condition and giving speeches to groups that were always filled with humor. After many suggestions, he turned his talents to stand-up comedy, and now brings his high energy and outrageous tales to the stage, both at clubs and college campuses. Touting herself as "the America's only female comedian who stutters", Nina G. lives in Oakland and has spent a lifetime dealing with both speech and learning disability issues. A key note speaker, children's book author and disability activist, Nina turned her talents to the stand-up stage to help raise disability awareness through comedy, and performs her award-winning work at some of the industry's hottest clubs (the Hollywood Improv and the San Francisco Punchline) and has shared the stage with some of its biggest names. The Comedians with Disabilities Act are joined by their friends Queenie TT, Loren Kraut and Steve Lee. Each brings their unique perspectives on Lymphedema, OCD/ Depression and Physical Disabilities. The Comedians with Disabilities Act tours nationally and is a favorite at colleges for Disability Awareness events. Album notes: Dedication: The Comedians with Disabilities Act and Friends would like to dedicate this album to their families. Without their love and support we wouldn't have the courage to talk about our naughty parts on stage. Recorded at: Impact Hub in Oakland California Thank yous o' plenty! There are so many people who have supported us along the way. Special thanks goes out to Keith Lowell Jensen who hosted on this album and mentored us from the early stages of the group. Eric Shapiro is the sound engineer who mixed the album. Him and her crew were awesome to work with and great job. The Housing Consortium of the East Bay, in partnership with the City of Oakland Mayor's Commission on Persons with Disabilities hosted our night and the Impact Hub and have supported us year after year. We couldn't ask for a better city to be Disabled in than Oakland California.