http://www.rockymountainada.orgenNewsCopyright Rocky Mountain ADA Centerhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9d41b30f697cc59af44917a27d732831.jpghttp://www.rockymountainada.orgTue, 02 Jun 2026 16:36:45 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterRocky Mountain ADA Centeremail@rockymountainada.orgAmericans living with disabilities are often faced with obstacles when it comes to accessibility. These obstacles can lead to adventures and misadventures alike. Twice per month, an esteemed guest will share their story with the Rocky Mountain ADA...falseepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-91-lawrence-carter-long--72168230Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe091

This week's guest is Lawrence Carter-Long. Lawrence is Director of Engagement for ReelAbilities International, where he works at the intersection of disability, media, culture, and access. A longtime advocate, curator, commentator, and creator. He has worked with the National Council on Disability, Turner Classic Movies, Sundance, PBS, NPR, the BBC, and other organizations to expand how disability is represented, understood, and experienced. He also originated the Disabled #SayTheWord campaign, which helped reclaim disability as a term of identity, power, and pride.

Connect with Lawrence:


ReelAbilities International
Lawrence Carter-Long (@lcarterlong) • Instagram photos and videos
Lawrence Carter-Long - ReelAbilities Film Festival | LinkedIn

Email: lawrence@reelabilities.org.


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72168230Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe091 This week's guest is Lawrence Carter-Long. Lawrence is Director of Engagement for ReelAbilities International, where he works at the intersection of disability, media, culture, and access. A longtime advocate,...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe091

This week's guest is Lawrence Carter-Long. Lawrence is Director of Engagement for ReelAbilities International, where he works at the intersection of disability, media, culture, and access. A longtime advocate, curator, commentator, and creator. He has worked with the National Council on Disability, Turner Classic Movies, Sundance, PBS, NPR, the BBC, and other organizations to expand how disability is represented, understood, and experienced. He also originated the Disabled #SayTheWord campaign, which helped reclaim disability as a term of identity, power, and pride.

Connect with Lawrence:


ReelAbilities International
Lawrence Carter-Long (@lcarterlong) • Instagram photos and videos
Lawrence Carter-Long - ReelAbilities Film Festival | LinkedIn

Email: lawrence@reelabilities.org.


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2085accessibility,disabilitiesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-90-sam-schmidt--71893076Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe090

This week's guest is Sam Schmidt. Sam is a former IndyCar driver, championship team owner, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. A Pepperdine University graduate, he built successful businesses before launching a professional racing career, earning his first IndyCar victory in 1999 after competing in three Indianapolis 500s.

In the year 2000, a testing crash left him a quadriplegic. Determined to keep racing, he founded Sam Schmidt Motorsports, as well as his foundation driven, formerly Conquer Paralysis Now, which funds research and operates rehabilitation centers that provide physical and emotional support. Sam and his wife, Sheila, live in Las Vegas. They have two children, Savannah and Spencer, and two grandchildren.

Connect with Sam:
Sam Schmidt — Racer. Entrepreneur. Champion of the Possible.
Sam Schmidt – Driven Neurorecovery Center
Sam Schmidt (@sam.schmidt_) • Instagram photos and videos
No Finish Line by Sam Schmidt – Porchlight Book Company
No Finish Line: A Racer's Journey of Passion, Perseverance, and Purpose: Schmidt, Sam, Yaeger, Don: 9798895151617: Amazon.com: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71893076Wed, 20 May 2026 16:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe090 This week's guest is Sam Schmidt. Sam is a former IndyCar driver, championship team owner, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. A Pepperdine University graduate, he built successful businesses before launching a...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe090

This week's guest is Sam Schmidt. Sam is a former IndyCar driver, championship team owner, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. A Pepperdine University graduate, he built successful businesses before launching a professional racing career, earning his first IndyCar victory in 1999 after competing in three Indianapolis 500s.

In the year 2000, a testing crash left him a quadriplegic. Determined to keep racing, he founded Sam Schmidt Motorsports, as well as his foundation driven, formerly Conquer Paralysis Now, which funds research and operates rehabilitation centers that provide physical and emotional support. Sam and his wife, Sheila, live in Las Vegas. They have two children, Savannah and Spencer, and two grandchildren.

Connect with Sam:
Sam Schmidt — Racer. Entrepreneur. Champion of the Possible.
Sam Schmidt – Driven Neurorecovery Center
Sam Schmidt (@sam.schmidt_) • Instagram photos and videos
No Finish Line by Sam Schmidt – Porchlight Book Company
No Finish Line: A Racer's Journey of Passion, Perseverance, and Purpose: Schmidt, Sam, Yaeger, Don: 9798895151617: Amazon.com: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1680accessibility,disability,racingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-89-dr-kassy-lopez--71595899Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe089

Today's guest is Dr. Kassy Lopez. Dr. Lopez is the program director of ASPIRE Scholars at Pikes Peak State College, an inclusive higher education program designed to expand access for students with intellectual disabilities. She leads innovative efforts to create meaningful college experiences through academic access, peer mentorship, and career exploration, while also building partnerships with school districts to support concurrent enrollment opportunities.

With over 20 years of experience across early childhood education, mental health, and higher education, Kassy brings a systems level perspective to inclusion, focusing on removing barriers, rethinking traditional pathways, and creating spaces where all students belong. Her work is grounded in the belief that inclusive higher education is not a separate pathway, but a necessary evolution of college systems.

Connect with Dr. Lopez:

ASPIRE | Pikes Peak State College
Email: Kassy.Lopez@pikespeak.edu 

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71595899Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe089 Today's guest is Dr. Kassy Lopez. Dr. Lopez is the program director of ASPIRE Scholars at Pikes Peak State College, an inclusive higher education program designed to expand access for students with intellectual...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe089

Today's guest is Dr. Kassy Lopez. Dr. Lopez is the program director of ASPIRE Scholars at Pikes Peak State College, an inclusive higher education program designed to expand access for students with intellectual disabilities. She leads innovative efforts to create meaningful college experiences through academic access, peer mentorship, and career exploration, while also building partnerships with school districts to support concurrent enrollment opportunities.

With over 20 years of experience across early childhood education, mental health, and higher education, Kassy brings a systems level perspective to inclusion, focusing on removing barriers, rethinking traditional pathways, and creating spaces where all students belong. Her work is grounded in the belief that inclusive higher education is not a separate pathway, but a necessary evolution of college systems.

Connect with Dr. Lopez:

ASPIRE | Pikes Peak State College
Email: Kassy.Lopez@pikespeak.edu 

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1164accessibility,disabilities,educationfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-88-bella-mohn--70906625Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe088

This week's guest is Bella Mohn. Bella is a 22-year-old disability advocate and content creator from Seattle, Washington. At just 18 years old, Bella's life changed overnight after emergency surgery for a heart condition led to paralysis from the waist down. Soon after, she began sharing her recovery journey and spreading awareness about disability on social media. Her hope has always been to share her raw, and hopefully inspirational experience of navigating wheelchair life, while never giving up on her dream of walking again. Today, Bella is a full-time college student studying marketing and communications while living fully independently despite ongoing health challenges. She's also an athlete who plays on the Seattle Kraken Sled Hockey team, and loves to work out, swim, travel, and spend time outdoors, especially with her little rescue dog, Sugar, who is also partially disabled.

Bella's journey is one of recovery, resilience, and redefining independence. Through her platforms, she shares the realities of her day-to-day life with paralysis in an effort to educate, uplift, and challenge perceptions around disability, while at the same time encouraging others that no matter the circumstances, it's still possible to find the light and keep moving forward.

Connect with the Bella:

Bellawillwalkagain - YouTube
Bella (@bellawillwalkagain) • Instagram photos and videos
bella (@bellawillwalkagain) | TikTok
Bellawillwalkagain | Facebook

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70906625Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:30:04 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe088 This week's guest is Bella Mohn. Bella is a 22-year-old disability advocate and content creator from Seattle, Washington. At just 18 years old, Bella's life changed overnight after emergency surgery for a heart...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe088

This week's guest is Bella Mohn. Bella is a 22-year-old disability advocate and content creator from Seattle, Washington. At just 18 years old, Bella's life changed overnight after emergency surgery for a heart condition led to paralysis from the waist down. Soon after, she began sharing her recovery journey and spreading awareness about disability on social media. Her hope has always been to share her raw, and hopefully inspirational experience of navigating wheelchair life, while never giving up on her dream of walking again. Today, Bella is a full-time college student studying marketing and communications while living fully independently despite ongoing health challenges. She's also an athlete who plays on the Seattle Kraken Sled Hockey team, and loves to work out, swim, travel, and spend time outdoors, especially with her little rescue dog, Sugar, who is also partially disabled.

Bella's journey is one of recovery, resilience, and redefining independence. Through her platforms, she shares the realities of her day-to-day life with paralysis in an effort to educate, uplift, and challenge perceptions around disability, while at the same time encouraging others that no matter the circumstances, it's still possible to find the light and keep moving forward.

Connect with the Bella:

Bellawillwalkagain - YouTube
Bella (@bellawillwalkagain) • Instagram photos and videos
bella (@bellawillwalkagain) | TikTok
Bellawillwalkagain | Facebook

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>852accessibility,disability,influencer,wheelchairfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-87-alma-and-mike-loveland--70895200Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe087

This week's guests are Alma and Mike Loveland. Alma and Mike are the co-founders of Your Very Favorite, a creative educational publishing company based in Utah. Together, they design and produce engaging coloring and activity books that help kids and families learn about important topics from community services and public health, to science and environmental stewardship. Their work combines humor, clever puzzles, and thoughtful storytelling to turn complex subjects into experiences that are fun, memorable, and genuinely educational. Mike, who grew up in Orem, Utah, has had a lifelong passion for children's books and illustration. Known for his love of fascinating trivia and random facts, he brings a playful curiosity to every project. Becoming a children's book illustrator has always been his dream, but just as that dream was becoming a reality, Mike lost function in his dominant hand. His determination to continue creating has become an important part of his story and his work.

Alma grew up in Northern Ontario, Canada, and has spent her life working across writing, design, and teaching. She brings energy, human, and big picture creative vision to their projects. Together, Alma and Mike draw constant inspiration from their three kids, now tweens and teenagers, whose personalities and interests helped shape the unique format of their books. In fact, since their own kids never liked traditional coloring books, they set out to create activity books that would still capture the attention of curious kids who want something more engaging. When they're not working, Alma and Mike enjoy creative hobbies like sewing, gardening, collecting, tinkering, and making art, along with keeping up with their busy family life in what they jokingly call the taxi stage of parenting.

Connect with the Lovelands:

Your Very Favorite | Discover Custom Activity Books!
Your Very Favorite (@yourveryfavorite) | TikTok
Your Very Favorite (Books!) (@your.very.favorite) • Instagram photos and videos


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70895200Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe087 This week's guests are Alma and Mike Loveland. Alma and Mike are the co-founders of Your Very Favorite, a creative educational publishing company based in Utah. Together, they design and produce engaging coloring...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe087

This week's guests are Alma and Mike Loveland. Alma and Mike are the co-founders of Your Very Favorite, a creative educational publishing company based in Utah. Together, they design and produce engaging coloring and activity books that help kids and families learn about important topics from community services and public health, to science and environmental stewardship. Their work combines humor, clever puzzles, and thoughtful storytelling to turn complex subjects into experiences that are fun, memorable, and genuinely educational. Mike, who grew up in Orem, Utah, has had a lifelong passion for children's books and illustration. Known for his love of fascinating trivia and random facts, he brings a playful curiosity to every project. Becoming a children's book illustrator has always been his dream, but just as that dream was becoming a reality, Mike lost function in his dominant hand. His determination to continue creating has become an important part of his story and his work.

Alma grew up in Northern Ontario, Canada, and has spent her life working across writing, design, and teaching. She brings energy, human, and big picture creative vision to their projects. Together, Alma and Mike draw constant inspiration from their three kids, now tweens and teenagers, whose personalities and interests helped shape the unique format of their books. In fact, since their own kids never liked traditional coloring books, they set out to create activity books that would still capture the attention of curious kids who want something more engaging. When they're not working, Alma and Mike enjoy creative hobbies like sewing, gardening, collecting, tinkering, and making art, along with keeping up with their busy family life in what they jokingly call the taxi stage of parenting.

Connect with the Lovelands:

Your Very Favorite | Discover Custom Activity Books!
Your Very Favorite (@yourveryfavorite) | TikTok
Your Very Favorite (Books!) (@your.very.favorite) • Instagram photos and videos


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2211accessibility,art,disabilitiesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-86-gail-nehls--70554398Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe086

This week's guest is Gail Nehls. Gail is a nonprofit executive and social entrepreneur with over a decade of leadership advancing accessibility and inclusive service delivery. As CEO of Envida, she has led significant organizational growth while expanding transportation, healthcare access, and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities across Colorado. Gail brings deep experience in public administration, policy advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration, and is a frequent national speaker and board member focused on equitable access and community impact.

Connect with Gail:

Mobile: 719-660-2806
Transportation Line: 719-633-4677
Envida Cares – Colorado Springs - envida

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70554398Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:30:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe086 This week's guest is Gail Nehls. Gail is a nonprofit executive and social entrepreneur with over a decade of leadership advancing accessibility and inclusive service delivery. As CEO of Envida, she has led...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe086

This week's guest is Gail Nehls. Gail is a nonprofit executive and social entrepreneur with over a decade of leadership advancing accessibility and inclusive service delivery. As CEO of Envida, she has led significant organizational growth while expanding transportation, healthcare access, and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities across Colorado. Gail brings deep experience in public administration, policy advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration, and is a frequent national speaker and board member focused on equitable access and community impact.

Connect with Gail:

Mobile: 719-660-2806
Transportation Line: 719-633-4677
Envida Cares – Colorado Springs - envida

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>1489falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-85-sheridan-powell--70181964Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe085

This week's podcast guest is Sheridan Powell. Sheridan works as the communications manager at Visit Colorado Springs. She leads the organization's accessibility efforts, including an accessibility task force, a partnership with accessible travel company Wheel the World, and more. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and strategic communications in 2020, and shortly thereafter relocated to Colorado Springs where she's lived ever since.

Connect with Sheridan: 

Colorado Springs Official Vacation Guide - Visit Colorado Springs
Visit Colorado Springs (@visitcos) • Instagram photos and videos
Visit Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs CO | Facebook
Visit Colorado Springs - YouTube
TikTok - Make Your Day
Sheridan@VisitCOS.com

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70181964Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:30:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe085 This week's podcast guest is Sheridan Powell. Sheridan works as the communications manager at Visit Colorado Springs. She leads the organization's accessibility efforts, including an accessibility task force, a...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe085

This week's podcast guest is Sheridan Powell. Sheridan works as the communications manager at Visit Colorado Springs. She leads the organization's accessibility efforts, including an accessibility task force, a partnership with accessible travel company Wheel the World, and more. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and strategic communications in 2020, and shortly thereafter relocated to Colorado Springs where she's lived ever since.

Connect with Sheridan: 

Colorado Springs Official Vacation Guide - Visit Colorado Springs
Visit Colorado Springs (@visitcos) • Instagram photos and videos
Visit Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs CO | Facebook
Visit Colorado Springs - YouTube
TikTok - Make Your Day
Sheridan@VisitCOS.com

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1312accessibility,coloradospringsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-84-kaeia-perez--70041130Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe084

This week's podcast guest is Kaeia Perez. Kaeia writes dark witchy, young adult horror about eerie towns, haunting rituals, and girls who refuse to burn quietly. Author of Emberwomb, she blends lyrical prose with unsettling truths and just a touch of magic. She resides in New York state with her husband and two little support cats.

Connect with Kaeia: 

Magickalgirloccult • Instagram
KJ Tarot | FacebookMagickalGirl (@kjtarot) | TikTok
Amazon.com: Emberwomb: 9798292775638: Perez, Kaeia: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!


]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70041130Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe084 This week's podcast guest is Kaeia Perez. Kaeia writes dark witchy, young adult horror about eerie towns, haunting rituals, and girls who refuse to burn quietly. Author of Emberwomb, she blends lyrical prose with...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe084

This week's podcast guest is Kaeia Perez. Kaeia writes dark witchy, young adult horror about eerie towns, haunting rituals, and girls who refuse to burn quietly. Author of Emberwomb, she blends lyrical prose with unsettling truths and just a touch of magic. She resides in New York state with her husband and two little support cats.

Connect with Kaeia: 

Magickalgirloccult • Instagram
KJ Tarot | FacebookMagickalGirl (@kjtarot) | TikTok
Amazon.com: Emberwomb: 9798292775638: Perez, Kaeia: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!


]]>1868accessibility,author,disabilities,disability,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-83-katherine-macfarlane--69673197Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe083

This week's podcast guest is Kat Macfarlane. Professor Macfarlane serves as professor of law and director of the Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse University College of Law. She teaches and writes about disability law, civil rights litigation, and constitutional law. Her scholarship has been published in the Georgetown Law Journal, Fordham Law Review, Washington Law Review, North Carolina Law Review, Alabama Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal Forum, among others.

Professor Macfarlane recently served as special counsel to the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Prior to joining academia, Kat practiced law in Los Angeles and New York-based law firms and clerked for the District of Arizona and the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She received her BA, magna cum laude, from Northwestern University and her JD cum laude from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Connect with Kat: 

Kat Macfarlane (@katmacfarlane.bsky.social) — Bluesky
SSRN Home Page

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69673197Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe083 This week's podcast guest is Kat Macfarlane. Professor Macfarlane serves as professor of law and director of the Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse University College of Law. She teaches and writes about...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe083

This week's podcast guest is Kat Macfarlane. Professor Macfarlane serves as professor of law and director of the Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse University College of Law. She teaches and writes about disability law, civil rights litigation, and constitutional law. Her scholarship has been published in the Georgetown Law Journal, Fordham Law Review, Washington Law Review, North Carolina Law Review, Alabama Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal Forum, among others.

Professor Macfarlane recently served as special counsel to the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Prior to joining academia, Kat practiced law in Los Angeles and New York-based law firms and clerked for the District of Arizona and the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She received her BA, magna cum laude, from Northwestern University and her JD cum laude from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Connect with Kat: 

Kat Macfarlane (@katmacfarlane.bsky.social) — Bluesky
SSRN Home Page

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1900accessibility,disabilitiesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-82-annie-heathcote--68255811Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe082

This week's podcast guest is Annie Heathcote. Annie is a multi-business owner, social media influencer, author, Christian and lifelong disability advocate whose life and work embody the belief that disability does not mean inability. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at just 13 months old, Annie has spent her life breaking barriers, championing accessibility, and inspiring others with her message of resilience and faith. She was crowned Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin in 2023. Using her platform, Caring is Caregiving to reach more than 100,000 people through schools, conferences, organizations, and media appearances across the state.

Her advocacy took her to the Miss Wheelchair America national competition where she placed in the top five, earning second runner up and the best speech award. She has since been recognized as a woman of the year for Dane County for her leadership and community impact beyond advocacy. Annie is the founder of Annie Designs and Annie Speaks LLC, where she works as a freelance web and graphic designer and transformational speaker. She also brings creativity and joy into her everyday life through travel, art, music, and her past achievements as an elite athlete in the adaptive sport of power soccer. Annie's mission is simple but powerful. Love, serve God and others, work hard and never give up. 

Connect with Annie: 

Annie Speaks | Disability. Dignity. Destiny.
Annie's Portfolio – Intentional. Impactful. Invigorating.
Annie Speaks | Facebook
Annie Heathcote I Disability Advocate & Speaker (@annieheathcote) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68255811Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:30:09 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe082 This week's podcast guest is Annie Heathcote. Annie is a multi-business owner, social media influencer, author, Christian and lifelong disability advocate whose life and work embody the belief that disability does...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe082

This week's podcast guest is Annie Heathcote. Annie is a multi-business owner, social media influencer, author, Christian and lifelong disability advocate whose life and work embody the belief that disability does not mean inability. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at just 13 months old, Annie has spent her life breaking barriers, championing accessibility, and inspiring others with her message of resilience and faith. She was crowned Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin in 2023. Using her platform, Caring is Caregiving to reach more than 100,000 people through schools, conferences, organizations, and media appearances across the state.

Her advocacy took her to the Miss Wheelchair America national competition where she placed in the top five, earning second runner up and the best speech award. She has since been recognized as a woman of the year for Dane County for her leadership and community impact beyond advocacy. Annie is the founder of Annie Designs and Annie Speaks LLC, where she works as a freelance web and graphic designer and transformational speaker. She also brings creativity and joy into her everyday life through travel, art, music, and her past achievements as an elite athlete in the adaptive sport of power soccer. Annie's mission is simple but powerful. Love, serve God and others, work hard and never give up. 

Connect with Annie: 

Annie Speaks | Disability. Dignity. Destiny.
Annie's Portfolio – Intentional. Impactful. Invigorating.
Annie Speaks | Facebook
Annie Heathcote I Disability Advocate & Speaker (@annieheathcote) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1538accessibility,disabilities,inclusionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-81-jordan-burk--68120688Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe081

This week's podcast guest is Jordan Burk. Jordan is the author of the Kelly And Kelso Children's book series and the creator of Kelly and Friends, an animated series currently in development that's set to be the first US cartoon with a lead character who has Down syndrome. Inspired by his late Uncle Kelly, Jordan writes stories that celebrate kindness, friendship, and the value of every child. Known to students as, That Koala Guy, thanks to Professor Kelso, his six-foot plush sidekick, Jordan brings laughter and life lessons to schools, libraries, and stages across the country. He's been recognized nationally for his work, but at the heart of it all, his mission is simple to remind us that being different is something to celebrate

Connect with Jordan: 

Discover Kelly & Kelso Series - Inspiring Stories of Special Needs Advocacy by Jordan Burk
Kelly and Kelso | Facebook
Kelly & Kelso ™ (@kellyandkelso) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68120688Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe081 This week's podcast guest is Jordan Burk. Jordan is the author of the Kelly And Kelso Children's book series and the creator of Kelly and Friends, an animated series currently in development that's set to be the...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe081

This week's podcast guest is Jordan Burk. Jordan is the author of the Kelly And Kelso Children's book series and the creator of Kelly and Friends, an animated series currently in development that's set to be the first US cartoon with a lead character who has Down syndrome. Inspired by his late Uncle Kelly, Jordan writes stories that celebrate kindness, friendship, and the value of every child. Known to students as, That Koala Guy, thanks to Professor Kelso, his six-foot plush sidekick, Jordan brings laughter and life lessons to schools, libraries, and stages across the country. He's been recognized nationally for his work, but at the heart of it all, his mission is simple to remind us that being different is something to celebrate

Connect with Jordan: 

Discover Kelly & Kelso Series - Inspiring Stories of Special Needs Advocacy by Jordan Burk
Kelly and Kelso | Facebook
Kelly & Kelso ™ (@kellyandkelso) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1512accessibility,cartoons,disabilities,downsyndromefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-80-cindy-bentley--67975093Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe080

This episode's podcast guest is Cindy Bentley. For the last 25 years, Cindy has been Wisconsin's foremost voice for inclusion and civil rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1999, Cindy helped found People First Wisconsin, a statewide disability advocacy organization with a mission to provide opportunities for people with disabilities in Wisconsin to speak up and be heard about healthcare, voting, employment, housing, and transportation issues. Cindy began her work at People First Wisconsin as an advocacy specialist, but was promoted to executive director and is the only person with an intellectual disability leading an advocacy organization in Wisconsin. Cindy recently received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in recognition of her many years of advocacy.

Cindy serves on several boards, including the Governor's Committee for People with Disabilities, Life Navigators Board, and the Milwaukee County Combined Community Services Board. The Wisconsin Historical Society published a biography, which Cindy co-authored called Cindy Bentley: Spirit of a Champion. Choose the Pond, a short film about Cindy's life was recently shown at the 2025 Wisconsin Film Festival. Cindy is a highly decorated Special Olympics athlete and global messenger. She's currently training for the Special Olympic National Games in 2026 where she will play volleyball for Team Wisconsin.


Connect with People First Wisconsin: 

People First Wisconsin
People First Wisconsin | Facebook

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67975093Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:30:08 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe080 This episode's podcast guest is Cindy Bentley. For the last 25 years, Cindy has been Wisconsin's foremost voice for inclusion and civil rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1999,...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe080

This episode's podcast guest is Cindy Bentley. For the last 25 years, Cindy has been Wisconsin's foremost voice for inclusion and civil rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1999, Cindy helped found People First Wisconsin, a statewide disability advocacy organization with a mission to provide opportunities for people with disabilities in Wisconsin to speak up and be heard about healthcare, voting, employment, housing, and transportation issues. Cindy began her work at People First Wisconsin as an advocacy specialist, but was promoted to executive director and is the only person with an intellectual disability leading an advocacy organization in Wisconsin. Cindy recently received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in recognition of her many years of advocacy.

Cindy serves on several boards, including the Governor's Committee for People with Disabilities, Life Navigators Board, and the Milwaukee County Combined Community Services Board. The Wisconsin Historical Society published a biography, which Cindy co-authored called Cindy Bentley: Spirit of a Champion. Choose the Pond, a short film about Cindy's life was recently shown at the 2025 Wisconsin Film Festival. Cindy is a highly decorated Special Olympics athlete and global messenger. She's currently training for the Special Olympic National Games in 2026 where she will play volleyball for Team Wisconsin.


Connect with People First Wisconsin: 

People First Wisconsin
People First Wisconsin | Facebook

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2176accessibility,ada,advocacy,disabilitiesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-79-murray-siple--67899185Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe079

This episode's podcast guest is Murray Siple. Murray is a multimedia artist, filmmaker, and adapted surfer from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Trained at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, he began his career capturing the raw energy of Canadian snowboard and skateboard culture. He directed the acclaimed documentary Carts of Darkness. After his spinal cord injury left him quadriplegic, Siple turned to painting, sculpture, and murals, exploring resilience, adaptation, and the poetry in broken things.

Recently, adaptive surfing has become central to his life and work, offering a new form of movement, freedom, and expression. His upcoming feature documentary follows this journey, capturing the intersection of art, sport, and human determination. Siple's work is unflinching, electric, and demands that viewers look again and keep looking until they see what's truly there.

Connect with Murray: 

Murray Siple / WALLETMOTH STUDIOS
Murray Siple (@murraysiple) • Instagram photos and videos
Walletmoth (@walletmothstudios) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67899185Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe079 This episode's podcast guest is Murray Siple. Murray is a multimedia artist, filmmaker, and adapted surfer from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Trained at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, he began his...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe079

This episode's podcast guest is Murray Siple. Murray is a multimedia artist, filmmaker, and adapted surfer from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Trained at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, he began his career capturing the raw energy of Canadian snowboard and skateboard culture. He directed the acclaimed documentary Carts of Darkness. After his spinal cord injury left him quadriplegic, Siple turned to painting, sculpture, and murals, exploring resilience, adaptation, and the poetry in broken things.

Recently, adaptive surfing has become central to his life and work, offering a new form of movement, freedom, and expression. His upcoming feature documentary follows this journey, capturing the intersection of art, sport, and human determination. Siple's work is unflinching, electric, and demands that viewers look again and keep looking until they see what's truly there.

Connect with Murray: 

Murray Siple / WALLETMOTH STUDIOS
Murray Siple (@murraysiple) • Instagram photos and videos
Walletmoth (@walletmothstudios) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1842accessibility,adaptedsurfing,art,disabilities,disability,surfingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-78-the-holderness-family--67442008Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe078

This episode's podcast guests are Kim and Penn Holderness. They are award-winning content creators known for their original music song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over 3 billion views and over 9 million followers since they first went viral in 2013. Kim and Penn are authors of the New York Times bestselling book, ADHD is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD and their new children's book, All You Can Be with ADHD, is coming out this October.

Penn and Kim also host an award-winning weekly podcast called Laugh Lines every Tuesday, and they were winners of The Amazing Race Season 33 on CBS. Kim and Penn Live in Raleigh, North Carolina with their two kids and their dog, Sunny

Connect with the Holderness Family: 

ADHD is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD: Holderness, Penn, Holderness, Kim, Edward Hallowell: 9781400338610: Amazon.com: Books
All You Can Be With ADHD - The Holderness Family
Home - The Holderness Family
The Holderness Family (@theholdernessfamily) • Instagram photos and videos


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67442008Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:30:08 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe078 This episode's podcast guests are Kim and Penn Holderness. They are award-winning content creators known for their original music song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe078

This episode's podcast guests are Kim and Penn Holderness. They are award-winning content creators known for their original music song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over 3 billion views and over 9 million followers since they first went viral in 2013. Kim and Penn are authors of the New York Times bestselling book, ADHD is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD and their new children's book, All You Can Be with ADHD, is coming out this October.

Penn and Kim also host an award-winning weekly podcast called Laugh Lines every Tuesday, and they were winners of The Amazing Race Season 33 on CBS. Kim and Penn Live in Raleigh, North Carolina with their two kids and their dog, Sunny

Connect with the Holderness Family: 

ADHD is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD: Holderness, Penn, Holderness, Kim, Edward Hallowell: 9781400338610: Amazon.com: Books
All You Can Be With ADHD - The Holderness Family
Home - The Holderness Family
The Holderness Family (@theholdernessfamily) • Instagram photos and videos


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1842accessibility,contentcreators,holdernessfamily,influencersfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-77-gina-kavali-and-lyric-gillenwaters--67277850Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe077

This episode's podcast guests are Gina Kavali and Lyric Gillenwaters. Gina is a syndicated radio personality, YouTuber, podcaster, autism advocate, and sometimes actor and producer. With 30 years of experience behind the microphone, Gina hosts a show on YouTube called Life With The Spectrum. It's a show for families who live with and love someone with autism spectrum disorder, and is also available as a podcast. She's also the co-founder of the country's first premier speed dating event for young adults on the spectrum called Table Talk, which was featured on the hit Netflix show, Love on the Spectrum. Recently, her son, Lyric, who is neurodivergent, began hosting a speed-friending version of Table Talk for youth called Table Talk Jr.

Connect with Gina and Lyric:

Life With the Spectrum - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
Life With the Spectrum (@lifewiththespectrumllc) • Instagram photos and videos
Gina Kavali (@ginamariefm) • Instagram photos and videos
Life With The Spectrum

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67277850Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:30:08 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe077 This episode's podcast guests are Gina Kavali and Lyric Gillenwaters. Gina is a syndicated radio personality, YouTuber, podcaster, autism advocate, and sometimes actor and producer. With 30 years of experience...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe077

This episode's podcast guests are Gina Kavali and Lyric Gillenwaters. Gina is a syndicated radio personality, YouTuber, podcaster, autism advocate, and sometimes actor and producer. With 30 years of experience behind the microphone, Gina hosts a show on YouTube called Life With The Spectrum. It's a show for families who live with and love someone with autism spectrum disorder, and is also available as a podcast. She's also the co-founder of the country's first premier speed dating event for young adults on the spectrum called Table Talk, which was featured on the hit Netflix show, Love on the Spectrum. Recently, her son, Lyric, who is neurodivergent, began hosting a speed-friending version of Table Talk for youth called Table Talk Jr.

Connect with Gina and Lyric:

Life With the Spectrum - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
Life With the Spectrum (@lifewiththespectrumllc) • Instagram photos and videos
Gina Kavali (@ginamariefm) • Instagram photos and videos
Life With The Spectrum

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2117falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-76-squirmy-and-grubs--67057245Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe076

Shane and Hannah Burcaw are relationship bloggers on a mission to change the way society understands disability. On their YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs, which has gained almost 2 million subscribers, the couple shares an entertaining and authentic examination of what it's like to be in an inter-abled relationship.

In addition to their work on YouTube, the couple co-authored a non-fiction collection of love stories that involve people with disabilities. Shane and Hannah speak across the country from universities to elementary schools to Fortune 500 companies, and they live in Minneapolis, Minnesota with their fluffy Labradoodle, Chloe.

Connect with Shane and Hannah:

Squirmy and Grubs - YouTube
Squirmy and Grubs (@squirmyandgrubs) | TikTok
Hannah Burcaw (@hannahayl) • Instagram photos and videos
Shane Burcaw (@shaneburcaw) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67057245Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe076 Shane and Hannah Burcaw are relationship bloggers on a mission to change the way society understands disability. On their YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs, which has gained almost 2 million subscribers, the...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe076

Shane and Hannah Burcaw are relationship bloggers on a mission to change the way society understands disability. On their YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs, which has gained almost 2 million subscribers, the couple shares an entertaining and authentic examination of what it's like to be in an inter-abled relationship.

In addition to their work on YouTube, the couple co-authored a non-fiction collection of love stories that involve people with disabilities. Shane and Hannah speak across the country from universities to elementary schools to Fortune 500 companies, and they live in Minneapolis, Minnesota with their fluffy Labradoodle, Chloe.

Connect with Shane and Hannah:

Squirmy and Grubs - YouTube
Squirmy and Grubs (@squirmyandgrubs) | TikTok
Hannah Burcaw (@hannahayl) • Instagram photos and videos
Shane Burcaw (@shaneburcaw) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>2126accessibility,advocates,bloggers,disabilities,influencers,interabledfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-75-kathy-and-dana-woods--66421060Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe075


Kathy D. Champion Woods is a woman of faith and a devoted wife who has been married to Dana for 27 years this August, and the proud mother of Dana Michael Woods Jr. who is autistic. Kathy is a former caregiver with a passion for looking after the elderly. She's the first African-American to create a fashion line for little people and is also the CEO of Grace 4 Champions, a nonprofit organization that assists schools and families with students who have autism and other disabilities, as well as individuals who may need a hand up when funding is available.

Kathy believes giving is living. Kathy's dream is to tell untold stories along with her husband, Dana, through their production company. Kathy has the presence of someone who stands six feet tall, which is often misinterpreted. To know her is to love her.

Dana Michael Woods is a man of faith, married to Kathy and father to Dana Michael Woods Jr. And he has been working professionally for over 25 years as an actor and stunt double. During that time, Dana has worked on many projects, including film, television, and stage, portraying a variety of characters. He's had the pleasure of working with such megastars as David Schwimmer, Denzel Washington, and Glenn Close. He believes being an artist of unique size, that it's worth the challenge that entertainment industry presents and wants to change Hollywood's perception of performers that just happen to be little people due to a lack of roles that are not written for actors of short stature.

Dana and Kathy established Woods Family 3 Productions, developing projects of substance that bring stories to life through their experiences and highlight performers with different physicalities. Having said that, Dana and Kathy have recently completed a pilot for a one-hour drama series with Dana in mind as the lead and are seeking funding with the hope of partnering with a major production company or studio. Dana's dream is to work with the one and only Tyler Perry.

Connect with Kathy and Dana Woods:

Dana Michael Woods (@danamichaelwoods) • Instagram photos and videos
Kathy D. Woods (@kathydwoods) • Instagram photos and videos
HOME | Grace 4 Champions


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66421060Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe075 Kathy D. Champion Woods is a woman of faith and a devoted wife who has been married to Dana for 27 years this August, and the proud mother of Dana Michael Woods Jr. who is autistic. Kathy is a former caregiver...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe075


Kathy D. Champion Woods is a woman of faith and a devoted wife who has been married to Dana for 27 years this August, and the proud mother of Dana Michael Woods Jr. who is autistic. Kathy is a former caregiver with a passion for looking after the elderly. She's the first African-American to create a fashion line for little people and is also the CEO of Grace 4 Champions, a nonprofit organization that assists schools and families with students who have autism and other disabilities, as well as individuals who may need a hand up when funding is available.

Kathy believes giving is living. Kathy's dream is to tell untold stories along with her husband, Dana, through their production company. Kathy has the presence of someone who stands six feet tall, which is often misinterpreted. To know her is to love her.

Dana Michael Woods is a man of faith, married to Kathy and father to Dana Michael Woods Jr. And he has been working professionally for over 25 years as an actor and stunt double. During that time, Dana has worked on many projects, including film, television, and stage, portraying a variety of characters. He's had the pleasure of working with such megastars as David Schwimmer, Denzel Washington, and Glenn Close. He believes being an artist of unique size, that it's worth the challenge that entertainment industry presents and wants to change Hollywood's perception of performers that just happen to be little people due to a lack of roles that are not written for actors of short stature.

Dana and Kathy established Woods Family 3 Productions, developing projects of substance that bring stories to life through their experiences and highlight performers with different physicalities. Having said that, Dana and Kathy have recently completed a pilot for a one-hour drama series with Dana in mind as the lead and are seeking funding with the hope of partnering with a major production company or studio. Dana's dream is to work with the one and only Tyler Perry.

Connect with Kathy and Dana Woods:

Dana Michael Woods (@danamichaelwoods) • Instagram photos and videos
Kathy D. Woods (@kathydwoods) • Instagram photos and videos
HOME | Grace 4 Champions


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2024accessibility,actor,disabilities,disability,littlepeoplefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-74-arman-nobari--66313287Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe074

Arman Nobari is an entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and the co-founder and CEO of accessible games company, Good Trouble. Over his fifteen-year career, Arman has helped accessible products come to life at Google, Udemy, Modern Animal and more. Now with his startup, Good Trouble, Arman is working to revolutionize accessibility in the games industry through a free site called Able to Play.

Connect with Arman: 

AbleToPlay | Your Home for Accessible Gaming

Good Trouble

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66313287Wed, 28 May 2025 14:06:39 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe074 Arman Nobari is an entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and the co-founder and CEO of accessible games company, Good Trouble. Over his fifteen-year career, Arman has helped accessible products come to life at Google,...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe074

Arman Nobari is an entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and the co-founder and CEO of accessible games company, Good Trouble. Over his fifteen-year career, Arman has helped accessible products come to life at Google, Udemy, Modern Animal and more. Now with his startup, Good Trouble, Arman is working to revolutionize accessibility in the games industry through a free site called Able to Play.

Connect with Arman: 

AbleToPlay | Your Home for Accessible Gaming

Good Trouble

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

]]>2034accessibility,disability,gamingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-73-temple-grandin--65828678Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe073

Dr. Temple Grandin is an academic inventor and animal behavior scientist. She's a proponent of the humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and the author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior. Dr. Grandin is a consultant to the livestock industry, where she offers advice on animal behavior.

As an autistic person, Dr. Grandin did not talk until she was three and a half years old. Eventually, she became one of the first autistic people to document the insights she gained from her personal experiences with autism. Today she's a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior, and a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. She also has a successful career consulting on both livestock handling, equipment design, and animal welfare. Dr. Grandin has been featured on NPR and BBC and has appeared on national TV shows such as Larry King Live, 20/20, 60 Minutes, Fox and Friends, and she has a 2010 Ted Talk.

Articles about Dr. Grandin have appeared in Time Magazine, New York Times, Discover Magazine, Forbes and USA Today. HBO made an Emmy Award-winning movie about her life, and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016. When Dr. Grandin was young, she was considered weird and teased and bullied in high school. The only place she had friends were activities where there was a shared interest such as horses, electronics, or model rockets. Mr. Carlock, her science teacher, was an important mentor who encouraged her interest in science. When she had a new goal of becoming a scientist, she had a reason for studying. Today, half of the cattle in the United States are handled in facilities she has designed.


Connect with Temple: 

Welcome to Temple Grandin's Official Autism Website

Temple Grandin's Website

Temple Grandin - Books and DVDs

Amazon.com: Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions: 9780593418369: Grandin PhD, Temple: Books

Temple Grandin | Watch the Movie on HBO | HBO.com

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65828678Wed, 07 May 2025 16:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe073 Dr. Temple Grandin is an academic inventor and animal behavior scientist. She's a proponent of the humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and the author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior....Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe073

Dr. Temple Grandin is an academic inventor and animal behavior scientist. She's a proponent of the humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and the author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior. Dr. Grandin is a consultant to the livestock industry, where she offers advice on animal behavior.

As an autistic person, Dr. Grandin did not talk until she was three and a half years old. Eventually, she became one of the first autistic people to document the insights she gained from her personal experiences with autism. Today she's a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior, and a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. She also has a successful career consulting on both livestock handling, equipment design, and animal welfare. Dr. Grandin has been featured on NPR and BBC and has appeared on national TV shows such as Larry King Live, 20/20, 60 Minutes, Fox and Friends, and she has a 2010 Ted Talk.

Articles about Dr. Grandin have appeared in Time Magazine, New York Times, Discover Magazine, Forbes and USA Today. HBO made an Emmy Award-winning movie about her life, and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016. When Dr. Grandin was young, she was considered weird and teased and bullied in high school. The only place she had friends were activities where there was a shared interest such as horses, electronics, or model rockets. Mr. Carlock, her science teacher, was an important mentor who encouraged her interest in science. When she had a new goal of becoming a scientist, she had a reason for studying. Today, half of the cattle in the United States are handled in facilities she has designed.


Connect with Temple: 

Welcome to Temple Grandin's Official Autism Website

Temple Grandin's Website

Temple Grandin - Books and DVDs

Amazon.com: Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions: 9780593418369: Grandin PhD, Temple: Books

Temple Grandin | Watch the Movie on HBO | HBO.com

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1433accessibility,disabilities,disability,templegrandinfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-72-georgina-kleege--65613228Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe072

Georgina is a professor emerita of English at the University of California Berkeley, where she taught creative writing and disability studies. Her collection of personal essays, Sight Unseen, is a classic in the field of disability studies. Essays include an autobiographical account of Kleege's own blindness and a cultural critique of depictions of blindness in literature, film, and language. Many of these essays are required reading for students in disability studies, as well as visual culture, education, public health, psychology, philosophy, and ophthalmology.

Blind Rage: Letters to Helen Keller transcends the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction to reimagine the life and legacy of the celebrated disability icon. Kleege's latest book More Than Meets the Eye: What Blindness Brings to Art is concerned with blindness and visual art, how blindness is represented in art, how blindness affects the lives of visual artists, and how museums can make visual art accessible to people who are blind or low vision. Georgina has lectured and served as a consultant to art institutions around the world. She now lives in New York City. 

Connect with Georgina:

Georgina Kleege | English

Sight Unseen: Kleege, Georgina: 9780300076806: Amazon.com: Books

Blind Rage: Letters to Helen Keller - Kindle edition by Kleege, Georgina. Reference Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Amazon.com: More than Meets the Eye: What Blindness Brings to Art: 9780190604363: Kleege, Georgina: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65613228Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:30:08 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe072 Georgina is a professor emerita of English at the University of California Berkeley, where she taught creative writing and disability studies. Her collection of personal essays, Sight Unseen, is a classic in the...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe072

Georgina is a professor emerita of English at the University of California Berkeley, where she taught creative writing and disability studies. Her collection of personal essays, Sight Unseen, is a classic in the field of disability studies. Essays include an autobiographical account of Kleege's own blindness and a cultural critique of depictions of blindness in literature, film, and language. Many of these essays are required reading for students in disability studies, as well as visual culture, education, public health, psychology, philosophy, and ophthalmology.

Blind Rage: Letters to Helen Keller transcends the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction to reimagine the life and legacy of the celebrated disability icon. Kleege's latest book More Than Meets the Eye: What Blindness Brings to Art is concerned with blindness and visual art, how blindness is represented in art, how blindness affects the lives of visual artists, and how museums can make visual art accessible to people who are blind or low vision. Georgina has lectured and served as a consultant to art institutions around the world. She now lives in New York City. 

Connect with Georgina:

Georgina Kleege | English

Sight Unseen: Kleege, Georgina: 9780300076806: Amazon.com: Books

Blind Rage: Letters to Helen Keller - Kindle edition by Kleege, Georgina. Reference Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Amazon.com: More than Meets the Eye: What Blindness Brings to Art: 9780190604363: Kleege, Georgina: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2563accessibility,blind,disabilities,disability,georginakleege,professorfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-71-thomas-martin--65141224Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe071

Thomas is the executive director of the California Achieving a Better Life Experience Program, or CalABLE. Through his work with CalABLE, Thomas helps people with disabilities save and invest while protecting their access to benefits. Prior to joining CalABLE, he served in the California Department of Veterans Affairs and the office of the governor. Thomas is autistic and he is the proud father of two sons with autism and other developmental disabilities

Learn more about CalABLE:

ABLE today
Home - CalABLE
CalABLE
Colorado ABLE | Giving Those With Disabilities the Ability to Save
CalABLE (@wearecalable) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65141224Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe071 Thomas is the executive director of the California Achieving a Better Life Experience Program, or CalABLE. Through his work with CalABLE, Thomas helps people with disabilities save and invest while protecting their...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe071

Thomas is the executive director of the California Achieving a Better Life Experience Program, or CalABLE. Through his work with CalABLE, Thomas helps people with disabilities save and invest while protecting their access to benefits. Prior to joining CalABLE, he served in the California Department of Veterans Affairs and the office of the governor. Thomas is autistic and he is the proud father of two sons with autism and other developmental disabilities

Learn more about CalABLE:

ABLE today
Home - CalABLE
CalABLE
Colorado ABLE | Giving Those With Disabilities the Ability to Save
CalABLE (@wearecalable) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>1907access,accessibility,disabilities,disabilityfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-70-gaelynn-lea--64865442Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe070

Gaelynn won NPR's Tiny Desk Contest in 2016. Since then, she has captivated audience around the world with her haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. Over the years, she has collaborated and performed with many notable artists such as Michael Stipe from REM, The Decemberists, Wilco, Lowe, and the industrial rock supergroup Pigface. In early 2022, Gaelynn composed and performed the music for Macbeth on Broadway, which starred Daniel Craig. The following year, she wrote a musical fable for the stage called Invisible Fences with the disabled author and playwright Kevin Kling.

Music aside, Gaelynn Lea is a sought-after public speaker and disability advocate around the topics of disability culture, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts. In 2021, she co-founded the organization Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities with fellow artist-activist Lachi. In 2024, she was awarded both the Disability Futures Fellowship and the Whippoorwill Arts Fellowship for her music and disability advocacy. She is currently finishing up her debut book due out in 2026. Linger in the Sun will be a love letter to everybody, a warm, funny, and deeply felt memoir about disability, music, and the messy creativity of an artist's life.

Connect with Gaelynn Lea:

GAELYNN LEA – Musician & Public Speaker
Creative Living for Every Body with Gaelynn Lea | Substack
"I Wait" by Gaelynn Lea
Judith Heumann’s Fight for Disability Rights (feat. Ali Stroker) - Drunk History


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64865442Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe070 Gaelynn won NPR's Tiny Desk Contest in 2016. Since then, she has captivated audience around the world with her haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. Over the years, she has collaborated and...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe070

Gaelynn won NPR's Tiny Desk Contest in 2016. Since then, she has captivated audience around the world with her haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. Over the years, she has collaborated and performed with many notable artists such as Michael Stipe from REM, The Decemberists, Wilco, Lowe, and the industrial rock supergroup Pigface. In early 2022, Gaelynn composed and performed the music for Macbeth on Broadway, which starred Daniel Craig. The following year, she wrote a musical fable for the stage called Invisible Fences with the disabled author and playwright Kevin Kling.

Music aside, Gaelynn Lea is a sought-after public speaker and disability advocate around the topics of disability culture, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts. In 2021, she co-founded the organization Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities with fellow artist-activist Lachi. In 2024, she was awarded both the Disability Futures Fellowship and the Whippoorwill Arts Fellowship for her music and disability advocacy. She is currently finishing up her debut book due out in 2026. Linger in the Sun will be a love letter to everybody, a warm, funny, and deeply felt memoir about disability, music, and the messy creativity of an artist's life.

Connect with Gaelynn Lea:

GAELYNN LEA – Musician & Public Speaker
Creative Living for Every Body with Gaelynn Lea | Substack
"I Wait" by Gaelynn Lea
Judith Heumann’s Fight for Disability Rights (feat. Ali Stroker) - Drunk History


Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2366accessibility,disabilities,disability,gaelynnlea,inclusionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-69-sarah-todd-hammer--64481702Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe069

Sarah Todd Hammer is a three-time published author, speaker, and disability advocate. After becoming disabled when she was eight years old, she immersed herself in the disability advocacy space. She co-authored and published her first book about her disability journey at age 11, followed by two more books that follow along her life as a disabled teen at ages 14 and 17. Now at age 23, she's a graduate of Davidson College and a disability social media influencer, speaker, and consultant. With a following of over 300,000 collectively, she provides disability education in a fun, positive manner on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. She also speaks to schools and companies about her disability experience and the importance of accessibility.

Connect with Sarah Todd:

Sarah Todd Hammer
Sarah Todd Hammer - YouTube
Sarah Todd Hammer (@sarahtoddhammer) • Instagram photos and videos
ST Hammer (@sarahtoddhammer) | TikTok

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64481702Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe069 Sarah Todd Hammer is a three-time published author, speaker, and disability advocate. After becoming disabled when she was eight years old, she immersed herself in the disability advocacy space. She co-authored and...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe069

Sarah Todd Hammer is a three-time published author, speaker, and disability advocate. After becoming disabled when she was eight years old, she immersed herself in the disability advocacy space. She co-authored and published her first book about her disability journey at age 11, followed by two more books that follow along her life as a disabled teen at ages 14 and 17. Now at age 23, she's a graduate of Davidson College and a disability social media influencer, speaker, and consultant. With a following of over 300,000 collectively, she provides disability education in a fun, positive manner on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. She also speaks to schools and companies about her disability experience and the importance of accessibility.

Connect with Sarah Todd:

Sarah Todd Hammer
Sarah Todd Hammer - YouTube
Sarah Todd Hammer (@sarahtoddhammer) • Instagram photos and videos
ST Hammer (@sarahtoddhammer) | TikTok

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1912accessibility,awareness,disability,disabled,influencerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-68-emmett-lockwood--64346706Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe068

Emmett is a disability justice practitioner and student activist passionate about creating disabled, decolonial, and anti-oppressive communities. He's a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in political science and gender and women's studies, conducting research on how definitions of political personhood intersect with electoral access for disabled voters.

They have previously served as an intern for the American Association of People with Disabilities; the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and for the Department of Health Services for the state of Wisconsin. Lockwood helped organize the Disability Cultural Center Coalition at UW-Madison, which successfully established the UW-Madison Disability Cultural Center in 2023, the 13th such center in the United States.

Connect with Emmett:

Emmett Lockwood (@emmettlockwood.bsky.social) — Bluesky
Email: ewlockwood@wisc.edu 

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64346706Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:30:06 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe068 Emmett is a disability justice practitioner and student activist passionate about creating disabled, decolonial, and anti-oppressive communities. He's a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe068

Emmett is a disability justice practitioner and student activist passionate about creating disabled, decolonial, and anti-oppressive communities. He's a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in political science and gender and women's studies, conducting research on how definitions of political personhood intersect with electoral access for disabled voters.

They have previously served as an intern for the American Association of People with Disabilities; the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and for the Department of Health Services for the state of Wisconsin. Lockwood helped organize the Disability Cultural Center Coalition at UW-Madison, which successfully established the UW-Madison Disability Cultural Center in 2023, the 13th such center in the United States.

Connect with Emmett:

Emmett Lockwood (@emmettlockwood.bsky.social) — Bluesky
Email: ewlockwood@wisc.edu 

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1946accessibility,awareness,disability,disabledfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-67-delila-vasquez--63788451Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe067

Delila is a high school senior from Dallas, Texas who was born with a rare genetic disorder called CHARGE syndrome, which can affect a person's eyes, hearing, heart, growth, and more. As a deafblind individual, Delila has limited vision in one eye and relies on a bone anchored hearing auditory implant to hear. She communicates with confidence signing her words to ensure the deaf community feels included.

Delila authored a book titled In CHARGE of My Life, a book about her childhood growing up and discovering life through a deafblind lens. In her book, she talks about overcoming many trials and struggles such as shyness, feeling different, not fitting in and low self-esteem. She realizes that she can get help and she's not alone, and that it's okay to have those types of feelings through life's ups and downs. Delila proves herself time and time again with her determination and willpower.

Her life experience has helped her mature and become a remarkable person with a huge, caring heart. Delila sees a bright future for herself and wants to encourage other students that are feeling lost or frustrated to be confident and shine

Connect with Delila:

Delila Vasquez (@delila.incharge) • Instagram photos and videos
In CHARGE of My Life: Vasquez, Delila, Sapir, Crystal: 9781630665623: Amazon.com: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63788451Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:30:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe067 Delila is a high school senior from Dallas, Texas who was born with a rare genetic disorder called CHARGE syndrome, which can affect a person's eyes, hearing, heart, growth, and more. As a deafblind individual,...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe067

Delila is a high school senior from Dallas, Texas who was born with a rare genetic disorder called CHARGE syndrome, which can affect a person's eyes, hearing, heart, growth, and more. As a deafblind individual, Delila has limited vision in one eye and relies on a bone anchored hearing auditory implant to hear. She communicates with confidence signing her words to ensure the deaf community feels included.

Delila authored a book titled In CHARGE of My Life, a book about her childhood growing up and discovering life through a deafblind lens. In her book, she talks about overcoming many trials and struggles such as shyness, feeling different, not fitting in and low self-esteem. She realizes that she can get help and she's not alone, and that it's okay to have those types of feelings through life's ups and downs. Delila proves herself time and time again with her determination and willpower.

Her life experience has helped her mature and become a remarkable person with a huge, caring heart. Delila sees a bright future for herself and wants to encourage other students that are feeling lost or frustrated to be confident and shine

Connect with Delila:

Delila Vasquez (@delila.incharge) • Instagram photos and videos
In CHARGE of My Life: Vasquez, Delila, Sapir, Crystal: 9781630665623: Amazon.com: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1397accessibility,ada,awareness,deafblind,disabilities,disability,disabilityinclusion,inclusionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-66-nicole-cyrille--63344199Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe066

Nicole Cyrille is an actor, voice-over artist, and disability advocate focused on fostering inclusion and authentic representation in entertainment. With a diverse background on stage and screen, Nicole brings powerful performances to life across genres. As a voice-over artist, she lends her voice to characters and narrations with versatility and emotional depth. She also performs Audio Description for shows like Grey’s Anatomy and provides live Audio Description for high-profile events such as the Grammys and Tonys, making content more accessible to everyone.

Beyond her craft, Nicole is a committed advocate for breaking down barriers for performers with disabilities. She champions authentic casting, accessible production spaces, and fair treatment for disabled artists. Recognized for her leadership, Nicole collaborates with industry professionals to promote inclusion and expand opportunities for disabled talent. Through her art and advocacy, Nicole is reshaping narratives around disability and proving that diverse representation enhances storytelling for all.

Connect with Nicole:

Nicole Cyrille (@nicole.cyrille) • Instagram photos and videos
Nicole Cyrille (@nicole.cyrille) • Threads, Say more
Nicole Cyrille (@nicolecyrille.bsky.social) — Bluesky

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63344199Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:40:06 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe066 Nicole Cyrille is an actor, voice-over artist, and disability advocate focused on fostering inclusion and authentic representation in entertainment. With a diverse background on stage and screen, Nicole brings...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe066

Nicole Cyrille is an actor, voice-over artist, and disability advocate focused on fostering inclusion and authentic representation in entertainment. With a diverse background on stage and screen, Nicole brings powerful performances to life across genres. As a voice-over artist, she lends her voice to characters and narrations with versatility and emotional depth. She also performs Audio Description for shows like Grey’s Anatomy and provides live Audio Description for high-profile events such as the Grammys and Tonys, making content more accessible to everyone.

Beyond her craft, Nicole is a committed advocate for breaking down barriers for performers with disabilities. She champions authentic casting, accessible production spaces, and fair treatment for disabled artists. Recognized for her leadership, Nicole collaborates with industry professionals to promote inclusion and expand opportunities for disabled talent. Through her art and advocacy, Nicole is reshaping narratives around disability and proving that diverse representation enhances storytelling for all.

Connect with Nicole:

Nicole Cyrille (@nicole.cyrille) • Instagram photos and videos
Nicole Cyrille (@nicole.cyrille) • Threads, Say more
Nicole Cyrille (@nicolecyrille.bsky.social) — Bluesky

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>2475accessibility,actor,advocate,disability,voiceoverfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-65-rebecca-rosenberg--63190494Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe065

Rebecca Rosenberg is an engineer, entrepreneur, speaker, and a person with albinism. Growing up she struggled to find assistive technologies that supported her needs as a person with moderate vision impairment. In 2019, Rebecca founded ReBokeh to develop assistive technologies specifically for the albinism and moderate low vision communities.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Bucknell University, Rebecca began coursework at the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID) where she received her Master’s degree of the same title. Following her masters, she was awarded an Abell Foundation Fellowship to assist in developing and teaching the Biodesign curriculum to first year masters students. She also served as the project lead for VectorCam, a global health initiative aimed at using artificial intelligence to combat malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

Rebecca now devotes her full time to ReBokeh: having deployed the technology to a growing base of users in over 70 countries worldwide and speaking to various groups on the unique challenges of the moderate low vision community.

Connect with Rebecca:

Website: Home | ReBokeh
ReBokeh Vision Technologies, Inc. | LinkedIn
ReBokeh • Vision Assist Technology 📱 (@rebokehvision) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63190494Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:30:06 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe065 Rebecca Rosenberg is an engineer, entrepreneur, speaker, and a person with albinism. Growing up she struggled to find assistive technologies that supported her needs as a person with moderate vision impairment. In...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe065

Rebecca Rosenberg is an engineer, entrepreneur, speaker, and a person with albinism. Growing up she struggled to find assistive technologies that supported her needs as a person with moderate vision impairment. In 2019, Rebecca founded ReBokeh to develop assistive technologies specifically for the albinism and moderate low vision communities.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Bucknell University, Rebecca began coursework at the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID) where she received her Master’s degree of the same title. Following her masters, she was awarded an Abell Foundation Fellowship to assist in developing and teaching the Biodesign curriculum to first year masters students. She also served as the project lead for VectorCam, a global health initiative aimed at using artificial intelligence to combat malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

Rebecca now devotes her full time to ReBokeh: having deployed the technology to a growing base of users in over 70 countries worldwide and speaking to various groups on the unique challenges of the moderate low vision community.

Connect with Rebecca:

Website: Home | ReBokeh
ReBokeh Vision Technologies, Inc. | LinkedIn
ReBokeh • Vision Assist Technology 📱 (@rebokehvision) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1650accessibility,adventures,disabilities,disability,visiondisabilityfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-64-katherine-beattie--62362248Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe064

Katherine Beattie is a Los Angeles born television writer/producer and action sports enthusiast. While she has spent most of her professional career writing police procedurals, she considers herself a comedian at heart. But regardless of what she’s writing, Katherine is a champion for authentic and nuanced portrayals of Disabled People and other historically excluded communities on screen, and for their inclusion behind the scenes.

As one of the pioneers of wheelchair motocross (WCMX), Katherine was the first woman in the world to land a backflip on a wheelchair. She competes on the Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Tour, and is a member of USA Surfing’s parasurfing national team. She will represent Team USA at her 4th ISA World Parasurfing Championships this November in Huntington Beach.

Connect with Katherine:

Katherine Beattie (@ktbeattie) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62362248Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:30:01 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe064 Katherine Beattie is a Los Angeles born television writer/producer and action sports enthusiast. While she has spent most of her professional career writing police procedurals, she considers herself a comedian at...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe064

Katherine Beattie is a Los Angeles born television writer/producer and action sports enthusiast. While she has spent most of her professional career writing police procedurals, she considers herself a comedian at heart. But regardless of what she’s writing, Katherine is a champion for authentic and nuanced portrayals of Disabled People and other historically excluded communities on screen, and for their inclusion behind the scenes.

As one of the pioneers of wheelchair motocross (WCMX), Katherine was the first woman in the world to land a backflip on a wheelchair. She competes on the Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Tour, and is a member of USA Surfing’s parasurfing national team. She will represent Team USA at her 4th ISA World Parasurfing Championships this November in Huntington Beach.

Connect with Katherine:

Katherine Beattie (@ktbeattie) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
]]>1853accessibility,adaptivesports,inclusionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-63-kelly-twichel--62235676Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe063

Kelly Twichel is an occupational therapist and CEO of the award-winning accessibility startup Access Trax. At 12 years old, Kelly made the commitment to pursue a career in healthcare; her mom had suffered a massive stroke and she wanted to help others like those who helped her mom. Her journey to entrepreneurship began in 2016 at grad school.

As an occupational therapy student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Kelly was inspired by local SoCal adaptive surfers to co-invent portable mats that empower people with physical disabilities to easily traverse outdoor terrain like sand at the beach. In 2018, Kelly launched Access Trax which has since served families, nonprofits and governments across 18 countries. Kelly enjoys volunteering at adaptive sport events and encouraging the next generation of social impact entrepreneurs.

Connect with Kelly:

Access Trax - Access for Life (accesstraxsd.com)
Access Trax (@accesstrax) • Instagram photos and videos
Access Trax | LinkedIn
Email: kelly@accesstraxsd.com

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62235676Wed, 09 Oct 2024 16:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe063 Kelly Twichel is an occupational therapist and CEO of the award-winning accessibility startup Access Trax. At 12 years old, Kelly made the commitment to pursue a career in healthcare; her mom had suffered a massive...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe063

Kelly Twichel is an occupational therapist and CEO of the award-winning accessibility startup Access Trax. At 12 years old, Kelly made the commitment to pursue a career in healthcare; her mom had suffered a massive stroke and she wanted to help others like those who helped her mom. Her journey to entrepreneurship began in 2016 at grad school.

As an occupational therapy student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Kelly was inspired by local SoCal adaptive surfers to co-invent portable mats that empower people with physical disabilities to easily traverse outdoor terrain like sand at the beach. In 2018, Kelly launched Access Trax which has since served families, nonprofits and governments across 18 countries. Kelly enjoys volunteering at adaptive sport events and encouraging the next generation of social impact entrepreneurs.

Connect with Kelly:

Access Trax - Access for Life (accesstraxsd.com)
Access Trax (@accesstrax) • Instagram photos and videos
Access Trax | LinkedIn
Email: kelly@accesstraxsd.com

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1456accessibility,adaptive,adaptivesports,entreprenuerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-62-foster-andersen--62093902Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe062

Foster's journey took a dramatic turn at 17 during the summer between his junior and senior years of high school. An active and athletic young man, he was riding his motorcycle through the woods of upstate New York when a severe accident left him in a two-week coma. He recalls a near-death out-of-body experience when his heart stopped for six seconds. Despite his quadriplegia, Foster's determination to live fully never wavered. Seven months after the accident, he left the hospital with a clear goal, "I wanted to get outdoors again. I wanted to get unstuck."

Though unable to walk, he went on to bungee jump out of a hot air balloon, scuba dive, surf, chair ski, sail, and follow the Grateful Dead, invent a frisbee for quadriplegics, attend engineering school and drive across the country in his adaptive van. As an inventor and innovator, Foster's adventures were just beginning in ways he never imagined. His mission became sharing this spirit with others in the disability community. In 1985, he co-founded Shared Adventures with a sit ski program in Rochester, New York. For over 30 years, Foster has been running the program in Santa Cruz, inspiring countless others to embrace life after challenge.

Connect with Foster:

Shared Adventures
Access Santa Cruz County (scaccessguide.com)
Shared Adventures | Santa Cruz CA | Facebook
Shared Adventures - YouTube
Shared Adventures (@sharedadventuressc) • Instagram photos and videos
Phone: (831)-459-7201

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62093902Wed, 25 Sep 2024 16:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://rmad.ac/AIAe062 Foster's journey took a dramatic turn at 17 during the summer between his junior and senior years of high school. An active and athletic young man, he was riding his motorcycle through the woods of upstate New York...Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe062

Foster's journey took a dramatic turn at 17 during the summer between his junior and senior years of high school. An active and athletic young man, he was riding his motorcycle through the woods of upstate New York when a severe accident left him in a two-week coma. He recalls a near-death out-of-body experience when his heart stopped for six seconds. Despite his quadriplegia, Foster's determination to live fully never wavered. Seven months after the accident, he left the hospital with a clear goal, "I wanted to get outdoors again. I wanted to get unstuck."

Though unable to walk, he went on to bungee jump out of a hot air balloon, scuba dive, surf, chair ski, sail, and follow the Grateful Dead, invent a frisbee for quadriplegics, attend engineering school and drive across the country in his adaptive van. As an inventor and innovator, Foster's adventures were just beginning in ways he never imagined. His mission became sharing this spirit with others in the disability community. In 1985, he co-founded Shared Adventures with a sit ski program in Rochester, New York. For over 30 years, Foster has been running the program in Santa Cruz, inspiring countless others to embrace life after challenge.

Connect with Foster:

Shared Adventures
Access Santa Cruz County (scaccessguide.com)
Shared Adventures | Santa Cruz CA | Facebook
Shared Adventures - YouTube
Shared Adventures (@sharedadventuressc) • Instagram photos and videos
Phone: (831)-459-7201

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1892accessibility,adaptivesports,disabilityfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-61-kerry-magro--61312042Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe061

Dr. Kerry Magro , Ed.D. was nonspeaking till 2.5, diagnosed with autism at 4 and didn’t speak in complete sentences until 7 years old. Today as an adult he is an award-winning autistic professional speaker, best-selling author and autism consultant to the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher and the latest season of Netflix’s Emmy-Award Winning Series ‘Love on the Spectrum U.S.’ He started professional speaking 13 years ago via the National Speakers Association after he fell in love with theater as a child to help with his social and communication skills. Today he has spoken at over 1300 events during that time include 2 TEDxTalks and a 'Talks at Google' presentation. In addition, Kerry is CEO & President of KFM Making A Difference, a nonprofit organization that hosts inclusion events and has provided 150 scholarships for autistic students for college and counting since 2011.

He’s provided 27 small business grants for small businesses that hire people with disabilities and has played Santa Claus for autistic and special needs children for the past decade to give them an opportunity to meet Santa in a sensory-friendly environment. 

In his spare time, he hosts a Facebook Page called Kerry's Autism Journey that now has 278,000 Facebook followers where he does on-camera interviews highlighting people impacted by a diagnosis to help break down barriers in our community. His videos he’s produced have been watched over 35 million times.

Kerry’s best-selling books Defining Autism From The Heart, and Autism and Falling in Love, I Will Light It Up Blue and his latest, Autistics on Autism have reached Amazon Best-Seller Lists for Special Needs Parenting. His latest book ‘Supporting Your Autism Journey’ was released on April 2, 2024 for World Autism Awareness Day!

Connect with Kerry:

KM – Landing page - Kerry Magro
KM – Speaking Engagements - Kerry Magro
KFM Making A Difference

Kerry Magro (@kerrymagro) | TikTok
Kerry's Autism Journey | Facebook
Kerry Magro - Public Speaker & Autism Advocate (@Kerrymagro) / X
Kerry Magro (@autisticprofessionalspeaker) • Instagram photos and videos
Kerry's Autism Journey - YouTube
Kerry Magro - National Speaker Association | LinkedIn

Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams: Magro, Kerry: 9798780803713: Amazon.com: Books

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61312042Thu, 12 Sep 2024 16:30:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe061 Dr. http://www.kerrymagro.com , Ed.D. was nonspeaking till 2.5, diagnosed with autism at 4 and didn’t speak in complete sentences until 7 years old. Today as an adult he is an award-winning autistic professional...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe061

Dr. Kerry Magro , Ed.D. was nonspeaking till 2.5, diagnosed with autism at 4 and didn’t speak in complete sentences until 7 years old. Today as an adult he is an award-winning autistic professional speaker, best-selling author and autism consultant to the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher and the latest season of Netflix’s Emmy-Award Winning Series ‘Love on the Spectrum U.S.’ He started professional speaking 13 years ago via the National Speakers Association after he fell in love with theater as a child to help with his social and communication skills. Today he has spoken at over 1300 events during that time include 2 TEDxTalks and a 'Talks at Google' presentation. In addition, Kerry is CEO & President of KFM Making A Difference, a nonprofit organization that hosts inclusion events and has provided 150 scholarships for autistic students for college and counting since 2011.

He’s provided 27 small business grants for small businesses that hire people with disabilities and has played Santa Claus for autistic and special needs children for the past decade to give them an opportunity to meet Santa in a sensory-friendly environment. 

In his spare time, he hosts a Facebook Page called Kerry's Autism Journey that now has 278,000 Facebook followers where he does on-camera interviews highlighting people impacted by a diagnosis to help break down barriers in our community. His videos he’s produced have been watched over 35 million times.

Kerry’s best-selling books Defining Autism From The Heart, and Autism and Falling in Love, I Will Light It Up Blue and his latest, Autistics on Autism have reached Amazon Best-Seller Lists for Special Needs Parenting. His latest book ‘Supporting Your Autism Journey’ was released on April 2,...]]>1467accessibility,autism,disability,kerrymagrofalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-60-haley-moss--60718674Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe060

Haley is an attorney, author, artist, and advocate who was diagnosed with autism at age three. She's passionate about disability inclusion and neurodiversity, using her unique blend of personal and professional experiences to promote accessibility for people with disabilities. Haley is a keynote speaker and educator, finding fulfillment and sharing her story to make a difference in other people's lives. She also served as an adjunct professor at Taylor University in the psychology department.

As an author, Haley has written four books on various life stages and neurodiversity for professionals. Her work is featured in numerous media outlets and legal journals covering topics from personal experiences to media representation and politics. Haley believes in the importance of being heard and included, resonating with the disability community's motto, nothing about us with without us. She advocates for a future that is neurodiverse, accessible and inclusive of all people with disabilities.

Connect with Haley:

Haley Moss | ATTORNEY | ADVOCATE | THOUGHT LEADER | AUTHOR | SPEAKER
Haley Moss | Facebook
Haley Moss - YouTube
Haley Moss (@haley.moss) • Instagram photos and videos
Haley Moss, Esq. - Haley Moss | LinkedIn

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60718674Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:30:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe060 Haley is an attorney, author, artist, and advocate who was diagnosed with autism at age three. She's passionate about disability inclusion and neurodiversity, using her unique blend of personal and professional...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe060

Haley is an attorney, author, artist, and advocate who was diagnosed with autism at age three. She's passionate about disability inclusion and neurodiversity, using her unique blend of personal and professional experiences to promote accessibility for people with disabilities. Haley is a keynote speaker and educator, finding fulfillment and sharing her story to make a difference in other people's lives. She also served as an adjunct professor at Taylor University in the psychology department.

As an author, Haley has written four books on various life stages and neurodiversity for professionals. Her work is featured in numerous media outlets and legal journals covering topics from personal experiences to media representation and politics. Haley believes in the importance of being heard and included, resonating with the disability community's motto, nothing about us with without us. She advocates for a future that is neurodiverse, accessible and inclusive of all people with disabilities.

Connect with Haley:

Haley Moss | ATTORNEY | ADVOCATE | THOUGHT LEADER | AUTHOR | SPEAKER
Haley Moss | Facebook
Haley Moss - YouTube
Haley Moss (@haley.moss) • Instagram photos and videos
Haley Moss, Esq. - Haley Moss | LinkedIn

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1759accessibility,disability,haleymossfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-59-andrew-leland--59797482Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe059

Andrew Leland is the author of The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, named a best book of the year by The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and others. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, McSweeney’s Quarterly, and The San Francisco Chronicle, among other outlets. From 2013 to 2019, he hosted and produced The Organist, an arts and culture podcast, for KCRW; he has also produced pieces for Radiolab and 99 Percent Invisible. Leland has been an editor at The Believer since 2003.

Connect with Andrew:

Andrew Leland
The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland: 9781984881427 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
The Optacon Story - Part 1 of 2 (circa 1972) (youtube.com)

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59797482Wed, 24 Jul 2024 16:30:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe059 Andrew Leland is the author of The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, named a best book of the year by The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and others. His writing has appeared in The...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe059

Andrew Leland is the author of The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, named a best book of the year by The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and others. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, McSweeney’s Quarterly, and The San Francisco Chronicle, among other outlets. From 2013 to 2019, he hosted and produced The Organist, an arts and culture podcast, for KCRW; he has also produced pieces for Radiolab and 99 Percent Invisible. Leland has been an editor at The Believer since 2003.

Connect with Andrew:

Andrew Leland
The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland: 9781984881427 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
The Optacon Story - Part 1 of 2 (circa 1972) (youtube.com)

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2175accessibility,ada,author,blind,disabilityfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-58-erik-weihenmayer--59297460Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe058

Erik Weihenmayer is one of the most celebrated and accomplished athletes in the world. In 2001, he became the only blind person in history to climb Mount Everest. When he stood on top of Carstensz pyramid in 2008, he completed his quest to climb all of the seven summits, the tallest peak on each of the seven continents. 

Erik is the author of the bestselling memoir, Touch the top of the world, which was made into a feature film as well as the Adversity Advantage, which shows readers how to turn everyday struggles into everyday greatness. His latest book, No Barriers, A Blind Man's Journey to kayak The Grand Canyon is more than an adventure story. It illuminates how we move forward in our lives towards growth and purpose, despite the barriers that get in our way. He is an internationally recognized speaker and brings his message of living a no-barriers life to audiences around the world.

In September, 2014, Erik and blinded Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell kayaked the entire 277 miles of the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, considered one of the most formidable whitewater adventures in the world. Erik continually seeks out new adventures, focusing his efforts on empowering people traditionally swept to the sidelines of life. He founded an organization called No Barriers, which helps people with challenges tap into the human spirit, break through barriers, and contribute to the world.

Connect with Erik:

Erik Weihenmayer – Adventurer | Speaker | Author | Teacher
No Barriers | No Barriers - Resilience, Hope & Optimism For Youth And Adults (nobarriersusa.org)
Erik Weihenmayer (@erikweihenmayer) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59297460Wed, 10 Apr 2024 16:30:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe058 Erik Weihenmayer is one of the most celebrated and accomplished athletes in the world. In 2001, he became the only blind person in history to climb Mount Everest. When he stood on top of Carstensz pyramid in 2008,...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe058

Erik Weihenmayer is one of the most celebrated and accomplished athletes in the world. In 2001, he became the only blind person in history to climb Mount Everest. When he stood on top of Carstensz pyramid in 2008, he completed his quest to climb all of the seven summits, the tallest peak on each of the seven continents. 

Erik is the author of the bestselling memoir, Touch the top of the world, which was made into a feature film as well as the Adversity Advantage, which shows readers how to turn everyday struggles into everyday greatness. His latest book, No Barriers, A Blind Man's Journey to kayak The Grand Canyon is more than an adventure story. It illuminates how we move forward in our lives towards growth and purpose, despite the barriers that get in our way. He is an internationally recognized speaker and brings his message of living a no-barriers life to audiences around the world.

In September, 2014, Erik and blinded Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell kayaked the entire 277 miles of the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, considered one of the most formidable whitewater adventures in the world. Erik continually seeks out new adventures, focusing his efforts on empowering people traditionally swept to the sidelines of life. He founded an organization called No Barriers, which helps people with challenges tap into the human spirit, break through barriers, and contribute to the world.

Connect with Erik:

Erik Weihenmayer – Adventurer | Speaker | Author | Teacher
No Barriers | No Barriers - Resilience, Hope & Optimism For Youth And Adults (nobarriersusa.org)
Erik Weihenmayer (@erikweihenmayer) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1924accessibility,ada,athlete,blind,motivationalspeaker,mountainclimbingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-57-sommer-fox--59049367Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe057

Sommer is a 29 year old mental health advocate in the Denver area and the owner of Discreet Journal. She was diagnosed with severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and speaks out about her challenges and opportunities with mental health.

Connect with Sommer:

Discreet Journal - Therapy Workbook, Mindfulness Journal
Discreet Journal | Facebook
Discreet Journal (@discreetjournal) • Instagram photos and videos
Discreet Journal (DiscreetJournal) - Profile | Pinterest

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59049367Wed, 27 Mar 2024 16:00:06 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe057 Sommer is a 29 year old mental health advocate in the Denver area and the owner of Discreet Journal. She was diagnosed with severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and speaks out about her challenges and...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe057

Sommer is a 29 year old mental health advocate in the Denver area and the owner of Discreet Journal. She was diagnosed with severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and speaks out about her challenges and opportunities with mental health.

Connect with Sommer:

Discreet Journal - Therapy Workbook, Mindfulness Journal
Discreet Journal | Facebook
Discreet Journal (@discreetjournal) • Instagram photos and videos
Discreet Journal (DiscreetJournal) - Profile | Pinterest

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1489accessibility,ada,mentalhealth,mentalhealthawareness,ocdfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-56-cory-lee--58936614Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe056

After being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at the age of two, Cory Lee’s thirst for adventure never ceased. He has traveled across all seven continents in his powered wheelchair while managing to run his travel blog CurbFreeWithCoryLee.com, where he shares his accessible — and sometimes not so accessible — travel adventures with others. Cory also does annual group trips, where his followers can join him in international destinations, and in 2022, he launched The Curb Free Foundation. This nonprofit provides wheelchair users with travel grants to go on their dream trip. As always, Cory’s goal is to inspire other wheelchair users to roll out of their comfort zones and see all of the beauty our world has to offer.

Connect with Cory:

Curb Free with Cory Lee: A Wheelchair Travel Blog
Cory Lee | Wheelchair Travel Expert (@curbfreecorylee) • Instagram photos and videos
The Curb Free Foundation

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58936614Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:00:01 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe056 After being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at the age of two, Cory Lee’s thirst for adventure never ceased. He has traveled across all seven continents in his powered wheelchair while managing to run his...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe056

After being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at the age of two, Cory Lee’s thirst for adventure never ceased. He has traveled across all seven continents in his powered wheelchair while managing to run his travel blog CurbFreeWithCoryLee.com, where he shares his accessible — and sometimes not so accessible — travel adventures with others. Cory also does annual group trips, where his followers can join him in international destinations, and in 2022, he launched The Curb Free Foundation. This nonprofit provides wheelchair users with travel grants to go on their dream trip. As always, Cory’s goal is to inspire other wheelchair users to roll out of their comfort zones and see all of the beauty our world has to offer.

Connect with Cory:

Curb Free with Cory Lee: A Wheelchair Travel Blog
Cory Lee | Wheelchair Travel Expert (@curbfreecorylee) • Instagram photos and videos
The Curb Free Foundation

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1529accessibility,ada,disability,travel,wheelchairtravelfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-55-tom-wheaton--58603403Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe055

Tom Wheaton grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis. He decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy for many reasons, the most notable being that his grandfathers and dad served during World War II and the Vietnam War, respectively.

Wheaton began serving in the U.S. Navy in 1986 and is a plank owner (original crew member) of the USS Fort McHenry. In 1988, while on active duty in Perth, Australia, he sustained a spinal cord injury. After his initial treatment at the Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital, he was transferred to the Milwaukee VA Spinal Cord Injury Center.

In 1989, Wheaton became a member of the North Central Chapter of PVA in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1993, he became a member of the new Minnesota Chapter of PVA, where Wheaton was the chapter’s first director of sports and recreation, and also served as chapter treasurer. After moving to Golden, CO, Wheaton served on a regional basis as sports director, treasurer, hospital liaison, and executive director of the Mountain States Chapter of PVA. He also served as first vice president of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado.

For the last 24 years, Wheaton has served on PVA’s Executive Committee in various capacities, including as the organization’s senior vice president and parliamentarian. Serving alongside many dedicated leaders on the Executive Committee has had a profound effect on his life. Wheaton says, “Journeying together to determine how we can best assist in enhancing the lives of our nation’s heroes has been extremely rewarding.”

Wheaton was re-elected national treasurer of PVA in May 2022 during the organization’s 76th Annual Convention, to begin a new, one-year term on July 1, 2022. He wants people to know that “this is a significant time for us to continue to push forward and prove just how unstoppable we are.”

In addition to his responsibilities at PVA, Wheaton has served on various national veterans and disability advisory committees, including the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. Whenever he has spare time, Wheaton enjoys doing puzzles because they are a metaphor for facing life’s challenges and overcoming them. Within his community, he is an elder of Hillside Community Church and co-leads its children’s ministries with his wife, Angela. The Wheatons have been married for 21 years and are proud parents of two school-age children.

Connect with Tom:

Paralyzed Veterans of America
twheaton@pva.org

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58603403Wed, 14 Feb 2024 17:00:01 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe055 Tom Wheaton grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis. He decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy for many reasons, the most notable being that his grandfathers and dad served during World War II and the Vietnam War,...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe055

Tom Wheaton grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis. He decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy for many reasons, the most notable being that his grandfathers and dad served during World War II and the Vietnam War, respectively.

Wheaton began serving in the U.S. Navy in 1986 and is a plank owner (original crew member) of the USS Fort McHenry. In 1988, while on active duty in Perth, Australia, he sustained a spinal cord injury. After his initial treatment at the Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital, he was transferred to the Milwaukee VA Spinal Cord Injury Center.

In 1989, Wheaton became a member of the North Central Chapter of PVA in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1993, he became a member of the new Minnesota Chapter of PVA, where Wheaton was the chapter’s first director of sports and recreation, and also served as chapter treasurer. After moving to Golden, CO, Wheaton served on a regional basis as sports director, treasurer, hospital liaison, and executive director of the Mountain States Chapter of PVA. He also served as first vice president of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado.

For the last 24 years, Wheaton has served on PVA’s Executive Committee in various capacities, including as the organization’s senior vice president and parliamentarian. Serving alongside many dedicated leaders on the Executive Committee has had a profound effect on his life. Wheaton says, “Journeying together to determine how we can best assist in enhancing the lives of our nation’s heroes has been extremely rewarding.”

Wheaton was re-elected national treasurer of PVA in May 2022 during the organization’s 76th Annual Convention, to begin a new, one-year term on July 1, 2022. He wants people to know that “this is a significant time for us to continue to push forward and prove just how unstoppable we are.”

In addition to his responsibilities at PVA, Wheaton has served on various national veterans and disability advisory committees, including the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. Whenever he has spare time, Wheaton enjoys doing puzzles because they are a metaphor for facing life’s challenges and overcoming them. Within his community, he is an elder of Hillside Community Church and co-leads its children’s ministries with his wife, Angela. The Wheatons have been married for 21 years and are proud parents of two school-age children.

Connect with Tom:

Paralyzed Veterans of America
twheaton@pva.org

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1197accessibility,ada,disability,paralyzedveterans,veteransfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-54-shelby-and-nathen-maxwell--58321680Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe054-1

VOLORES’ debut album, AGES, explores universal themes of life, love, and death through dark indie rock, stylish post-punk motifs, and disarmingly frank lyricism. The Colorado-based couple – Flogging Molly bassist Nathen Maxwell and his singer-songwriter wife Shelby – lightheartedly dub their singular sound “mountain goth.”

Organic, haunting, and relentlessly authentic, VOLORES’ broad appeal lies in its raw channeling of the mortal condition, including mental health struggles, that they’ve not only experienced, but experienced together. Simple, yet effortlessly beautiful, AGES celebrates the shared musical passions that brought the Maxwells together – from Leonard Cohen and Elliot Smith to The Cure and Interpol – through unfiltered expressions that cast deeply personal shadows in plain sight, coated only in intuitive melody and elegant songcraft.

VOLORES (voloresband.com)
𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦 (@voloresband) • Instagram photos and videos
‎VOLORES - Apple Music
VOLORES - YouTube
Nathen Maxwell (@nathenmaxwell) • Instagram photos and videos
Flogging Molly

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58321680Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe054-1 VOLORES’ debut album, AGES, explores universal themes of life, love, and death through dark indie rock, stylish post-punk motifs, and disarmingly frank lyricism. The Colorado-based couple – Flogging Molly bassist...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe054-1

VOLORES’ debut album, AGES, explores universal themes of life, love, and death through dark indie rock, stylish post-punk motifs, and disarmingly frank lyricism. The Colorado-based couple – Flogging Molly bassist Nathen Maxwell and his singer-songwriter wife Shelby – lightheartedly dub their singular sound “mountain goth.”

Organic, haunting, and relentlessly authentic, VOLORES’ broad appeal lies in its raw channeling of the mortal condition, including mental health struggles, that they’ve not only experienced, but experienced together. Simple, yet effortlessly beautiful, AGES celebrates the shared musical passions that brought the Maxwells together – from Leonard Cohen and Elliot Smith to The Cure and Interpol – through unfiltered expressions that cast deeply personal shadows in plain sight, coated only in intuitive melody and elegant songcraft.

VOLORES (voloresband.com)
𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦 (@voloresband) • Instagram photos and videos
‎VOLORES - Apple Music
VOLORES - YouTube
Nathen Maxwell (@nathenmaxwell) • Instagram photos and videos
Flogging Molly

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1498accessibility,ada,awareness,mentalhealth,musicianfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-53-chris-murphy--58266472Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe053-01

Today’s guest is our very own Chris Murphy. Chris grew up having a disability but not understanding that it was a disability. He wasn’t allowed to participate in sports as a child, but was able to pursue music, taking up the trombone at age 12.

Chris majored in trombone performance at California State University Fullerton and earned a Bachelors of Music in 2002. He lived as a freelance musician in Southern California, having the opportunity to perform in multiple genres of music, including being a musician at Disneyland between 2007-2012. It was during this period that Chris began riding a bike as a commuter and began finding enjoyment in exercise.

He inadvertently learned about Paracycling while researching symptoms of overuse he began having on his unaffected arm. At this time, Chris began to understand that the medical condition he had all his life was a disability. Chris pursued Paracycling, which brought him to Colorado to train at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, eventually participating in 2 Paralympic Games, earning 9 world-level medals including 2 gold medals, breaking a word record two times, and winning around 30 national championships in a 10-year period.

Chris has worked at the RMADAC as an information specialist since 2017 and is now full-time, taking on a new role as a knowledge translation specialist.

Contact Chris: chris.muphy@unco.edu
Chris Murphy (@gofastmurph) • Instagram

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58266472Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:00:01 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe053-01 Today’s guest is our very own Chris Murphy. Chris grew up having a disability but not understanding that it was a disability. He wasn’t allowed to participate in sports as a child, but was able to pursue music,...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe053-01

Today’s guest is our very own Chris Murphy. Chris grew up having a disability but not understanding that it was a disability. He wasn’t allowed to participate in sports as a child, but was able to pursue music, taking up the trombone at age 12.

Chris majored in trombone performance at California State University Fullerton and earned a Bachelors of Music in 2002. He lived as a freelance musician in Southern California, having the opportunity to perform in multiple genres of music, including being a musician at Disneyland between 2007-2012. It was during this period that Chris began riding a bike as a commuter and began finding enjoyment in exercise.

He inadvertently learned about Paracycling while researching symptoms of overuse he began having on his unaffected arm. At this time, Chris began to understand that the medical condition he had all his life was a disability. Chris pursued Paracycling, which brought him to Colorado to train at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, eventually participating in 2 Paralympic Games, earning 9 world-level medals including 2 gold medals, breaking a word record two times, and winning around 30 national championships in a 10-year period.

Chris has worked at the RMADAC as an information specialist since 2017 and is now full-time, taking on a new role as a knowledge translation specialist.

Contact Chris: chris.muphy@unco.edu
Chris Murphy (@gofastmurph) • Instagram

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1552accessibility,ada,athlete,cycling,disability,paralympicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-52-charles-webb--57932611Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe052

Today’s guest is Charles Webb, founder of the Stoke for Life Foundation. The main goal of the Stoke for Life Foundation is to bring awareness to the rehabilitative benefits of adaptive water sports through clinics and education.

Charles Webb is a T 7-8 incomplete paraplegic, Charles is the first paraplegic to compete in an open water paddle race (2013 Battle of the Paddle). Charles is also the two time Western Surfing Association Adaptive Surfing Champion winning back to back titles in 2015 and 2016. He placed 2nd overall in the Surfing America 2016 U.S. National Adaptive Surfing Championship in his division.

Charles Webb is an experienced inspirational speaker on many levels, from motivational corporate presentations to inspirational speeches at the collegiate, high school, or elementary level, Charles has shared the stoke whenever possible. Charles has also written numerous published articles in various magazines telling the stories of everyday people that continue to overcome and achieve despite high level disabilities or ailments. Through adaptive competition, motivational speaking, and inspirational writing Charles has found avenues to bring awareness to the adaptive watersports movement.

Connect with Charles:

• Stoke for Life | SPREADING THE ALOHA SPIRIT THROUGH ADAPTIVE WATERSPORTS
• US Open Adaptive Surfing | Elite World Class Adaptive Surfing
• Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour
• Stoke for Life (@stokeforlife) • Instagram photos and videos
• AASP (@adaptivesurfingprofessionals) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57932611Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe052 Today’s guest is Charles Webb, founder of the Stoke for Life Foundation. The main goal of the Stoke for Life Foundation is to bring awareness to the rehabilitative benefits of adaptive water sports through clinics...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe052

Today’s guest is Charles Webb, founder of the Stoke for Life Foundation. The main goal of the Stoke for Life Foundation is to bring awareness to the rehabilitative benefits of adaptive water sports through clinics and education.

Charles Webb is a T 7-8 incomplete paraplegic, Charles is the first paraplegic to compete in an open water paddle race (2013 Battle of the Paddle). Charles is also the two time Western Surfing Association Adaptive Surfing Champion winning back to back titles in 2015 and 2016. He placed 2nd overall in the Surfing America 2016 U.S. National Adaptive Surfing Championship in his division.

Charles Webb is an experienced inspirational speaker on many levels, from motivational corporate presentations to inspirational speeches at the collegiate, high school, or elementary level, Charles has shared the stoke whenever possible. Charles has also written numerous published articles in various magazines telling the stories of everyday people that continue to overcome and achieve despite high level disabilities or ailments. Through adaptive competition, motivational speaking, and inspirational writing Charles has found avenues to bring awareness to the adaptive watersports movement.

Connect with Charles:

• Stoke for Life | SPREADING THE ALOHA SPIRIT THROUGH ADAPTIVE WATERSPORTS
• US Open Adaptive Surfing | Elite World Class Adaptive Surfing
• Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour
• Stoke for Life (@stokeforlife) • Instagram photos and videos
• AASP (@adaptivesurfingprofessionals) • Instagram photos and videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1663accessibility,ada,adaptive,beach,disability,sports,stoke,surf,surfingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-51-hoskie-benally-and-joseph-ray--57459486Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe051

Hoskie Benally Jr., is a Member of the Navajo Nation and is Legally Blind. He is currently employed with the Native American Disability Law Center as the Community and Government Liaison engaged in Disability Systems Advocacy with the Navajo Nation and other Native American Tribes. Benally is also involved with the National Congress of American Indians, Disability Sub-Committee. Prior to joining the Law Center, Benally was the CEO of a Residential Treatment Center for Native American Youth that successfully integrated Navajo culture into western-based mental health treatment. Benally is the current President of the Navajo Nation Advisory Council on Disabilities, a former Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and a former Member of the New Mexico Developmental Disability Planning Council. Grounded in Navajo tradition and fluent in Navajo, Benally is an experienced cultural instructor. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Brigham Young University.

For more than three decades, Joseph Ray has advocated for disability services in tribal communities, with a focus on independent living, elder care, and vocational rehabilitation services. Based in Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico, he is the Board Chair of the National Congress of American Indians Disability Subcommittee, one of the oldest advocacy organizations for native populations in the country. Joseph is also on the Board of Directors of Uniting Nursing Homes in Tribal Excellence (UNITE), and a member of the Pueblo People with Disabilities group. He has a special interest in strengthening support services for individuals with spinal cord injuries, particularly tribal youth, and is active in adaptative sports and long-term care programs.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57459486Wed, 01 Nov 2023 17:55:01 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: bit.ly/AIAe051 Hoskie Benally Jr., is a Member of the Navajo Nation and is Legally Blind. He is currently employed with the Native American Disability Law Center as the Community and Government Liaison engaged in Disability Systems...Transcript: bit.ly/AIAe051

Hoskie Benally Jr., is a Member of the Navajo Nation and is Legally Blind. He is currently employed with the Native American Disability Law Center as the Community and Government Liaison engaged in Disability Systems Advocacy with the Navajo Nation and other Native American Tribes. Benally is also involved with the National Congress of American Indians, Disability Sub-Committee. Prior to joining the Law Center, Benally was the CEO of a Residential Treatment Center for Native American Youth that successfully integrated Navajo culture into western-based mental health treatment. Benally is the current President of the Navajo Nation Advisory Council on Disabilities, a former Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and a former Member of the New Mexico Developmental Disability Planning Council. Grounded in Navajo tradition and fluent in Navajo, Benally is an experienced cultural instructor. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Brigham Young University.

For more than three decades, Joseph Ray has advocated for disability services in tribal communities, with a focus on independent living, elder care, and vocational rehabilitation services. Based in Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico, he is the Board Chair of the National Congress of American Indians Disability Subcommittee, one of the oldest advocacy organizations for native populations in the country. Joseph is also on the Board of Directors of Uniting Nursing Homes in Tribal Excellence (UNITE), and a member of the Pueblo People with Disabilities group. He has a special interest in strengthening support services for individuals with spinal cord injuries, particularly tribal youth, and is active in adaptative sports and long-term care programs.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1988accessibility,disability,indigenous,laguna,law,legal,navajo,policy,pueblo,rightsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-50-mark-jones--56718459
As the only hearing child born to Deaf parents (a CODA), Mark Jones was signing before he was speaking. In his 25th year working and now leading the Accessibility & Services for Guests with Disabilities team at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Mark uses his passion, skills, and background to create and support memorable experiences for Guests with disabilities visiting the from around the world. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee and is nationally certified as a professional Sign Language interpreter. In addition to his role, Mark also serves as the co-lead of the Enabled Florida Business Employee Resource Group which includes the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney divisions based in Florida.

DisneyWorld.com
disability.services@disneyparks.com

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56718459Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:05:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: bit.ly/AIAe050 As the only hearing child born to Deaf parents (a CODA), Mark Jones was signing before he was speaking. In his 25th year working and now leading the Accessibility & Services for Guests with Disabilities team at the Walt...
As the only hearing child born to Deaf parents (a CODA), Mark Jones was signing before he was speaking. In his 25th year working and now leading the Accessibility & Services for Guests with Disabilities team at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Mark uses his passion, skills, and background to create and support memorable experiences for Guests with disabilities visiting the from around the world. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee and is nationally certified as a professional Sign Language interpreter. In addition to his role, Mark also serves as the co-lead of the Enabled Florida Business Employee Resource Group which includes the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney divisions based in Florida.

DisneyWorld.com
disability.services@disneyparks.com

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1588accessibility,disability,disney,fun,recreation,travelfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-49-julie-dussliere--56416257
Julie (O’Neill) Dussliere currently serves as the Chief of Paralympics & Internally Managed Sports for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. In this position, Dussliere oversees the high-performance planning, strategy, support processes and sport development projects for all 28 Paralympic sports. In addition, she leads Paralympic international relations efforts and serves as a key member of the USOPC’s leadership team. Dussliere also directs the day-to-day operations for the 10 Olympic and Paralympic sports managed by the USOPC.

Connect with Julie:

1. USOPC.org
2. TeamUSA.com
3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieoneilldussliere/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56416257Wed, 09 Aug 2023 22:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: bit.ly/AIAe049 Julie (O’Neill) Dussliere currently serves as the Chief of Paralympics & Internally Managed Sports for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. In this position, Dussliere oversees the high-performance planning,...
Julie (O’Neill) Dussliere currently serves as the Chief of Paralympics & Internally Managed Sports for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. In this position, Dussliere oversees the high-performance planning, strategy, support processes and sport development projects for all 28 Paralympic sports. In addition, she leads Paralympic international relations efforts and serves as a key member of the USOPC’s leadership team. Dussliere also directs the day-to-day operations for the 10 Olympic and Paralympic sports managed by the USOPC.

Connect with Julie:

1. USOPC.org
2. TeamUSA.com
3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieoneilldussliere/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1228accessibility,ada,athlete,disability,olympics,paralympia,paralympics,sportsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-48-jeff-johnny-and-becki-agar--56201909
JOHNNY AGAR, 29 years old from Rockford, MI, gained international attention when he walked a mile in his church’s annual 5k. That sounds like an odd reason for fame, except for the reality of Johnny’s severe cerebral palsy. Even with a lifetime of physical therapy, before the 5k the longest distance he’d ever been able to walk was twenty-three steps! Since that incredible feat, Johnny and his father, Jeff, have partnered in hundreds of races, including the infamous Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, which was chronicled by NBC. Johnny has been featured on The Today Show, Inside Edition, People, USA Today, NBC Nightly News, Huffington Post, and ESPN’s Sportscenter. His tenacity and indelible spirit have caught the attention of Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps and the sports apparel company Under Armour—so much so that UA placed him in two of their commercials, one with Phelps and one with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Now Johnny gives motivational speeches to inspire others to overcome their challenges and chase their dreams. Among his other roles, Johnny serves as Athletic Ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. He’s proud to have earned a dual major BA in Sports Management and Business Administration from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

JEFF AGAR, more commonly referred to as “Johnny’s Dad”, was never an endurance athlete and only 12 or so years ago had never completed a 5K race. His main goal is helping Johnny achieve his dreams. Jeff is married to Becki and together they have three children: Johnny, Annie & Gracy.

BECKI AGAR fundraises and advocates for organizations that have been instrumental in helping special needs children be as independent as possible on their journeys through life. But she will tell you, her proudest accomplishment is being the mother to her three beautiful children, Johnny, Annie, and Gracy.

Read the book:
The Impossible Mile: The Power in Living Life One Step at a Time

Check out Johnny's Pass: Johnny's Pass (johnnyspass.com)

Connect with the Agars:
JOHNNY:
WEBSITE: TeamAgar.com
TWITTER: @agar_john
INSTAGRAM: @officialjohn_agar
FACEBOOK: Johnny Agar

JEFF:
WEBSITE: TeamAgar.com
TWITTER: @JeffAgar
INSTAGRAM: @agarjeff
FACEBOOK: Jeff Agar

BECKI:
WEBSITE: TeamAgar.com
TWITTER: @agarbecki
INSTAGRAM: @beckiagar
FACEBOOK: Becki Agar

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56201909Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:00:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe048 JOHNNY AGAR, 29 years old from Rockford, MI, gained international attention when he walked a mile in his church’s annual 5k. That sounds like an odd reason for fame, except for the reality of Johnny’s severe...
JOHNNY AGAR, 29 years old from Rockford, MI, gained international attention when he walked a mile in his church’s annual 5k. That sounds like an odd reason for fame, except for the reality of Johnny’s severe cerebral palsy. Even with a lifetime of physical therapy, before the 5k the longest distance he’d ever been able to walk was twenty-three steps! Since that incredible feat, Johnny and his father, Jeff, have partnered in hundreds of races, including the infamous Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, which was chronicled by NBC. Johnny has been featured on The Today Show, Inside Edition, People, USA Today, NBC Nightly News, Huffington Post, and ESPN’s Sportscenter. His tenacity and indelible spirit have caught the attention of Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps and the sports apparel company Under Armour—so much so that UA placed him in two of their commercials, one with Phelps and one with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Now Johnny gives motivational speeches to inspire others to overcome their challenges and chase their dreams. Among his other roles, Johnny serves as Athletic Ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. He’s proud to have earned a dual major BA in Sports Management and Business Administration from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

JEFF AGAR, more commonly referred to as “Johnny’s Dad”, was never an endurance athlete and only 12 or so years ago had never completed a 5K race. His main goal is helping Johnny achieve his dreams. Jeff is married to Becki and together they have three children: Johnny, Annie & Gracy.

BECKI AGAR fundraises and advocates for organizations that have been instrumental in helping special needs children be as independent as possible on their journeys through life. But she will tell you, her proudest accomplishment is being the mother to her three beautiful children, Johnny, Annie, and Gracy.

Read the book:
The Impossible Mile: The Power in Living Life One Step at a Time

Check out Johnny's Pass: Johnny's Pass (johnnyspass.com)

Connect with the Agars:
JOHNNY:
WEBSITE: TeamAgar.com
TWITTER: @agar_john
INSTAGRAM: @officialjohn_agar
FACEBOOK: Johnny Agar

JEFF:
WEBSITE: TeamAgar.com
TWITTER: @JeffAgar
INSTAGRAM: @agarjeff
FACEBOOK: Jeff Agar

BECKI:
WEBSITE: TeamAgar.com
TWITTER: @agarbecki
INSTAGRAM: @beckiagar
FACEBOOK: Becki Agar

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2453accessibility,ada,adaptive,althete,disability,disabled,ironman,marathon,motivation,sports,triathalonfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-47-lionel-wolberger--54828470https://bit.ly/AIAe047

Dr. Lionel Wolberger, is the Chief Compliance and Operating Officer of UserWay, the market leader in web accessibility technology.

With a prominent role in The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), he passionately advocates for the disability community. He contributes to W3C's Accessible Platforms Architectures Working Group, developing current and future digital accessibility standards.

Additionally, he is a Privacy by Design ambassador, Cisco Security Ninja, and a seasoned presenter both on stage and TV. Wolberger's expertise extends to global standards such as Verifiable Credentials and DID, with patents to his name.

Holding a PhD in ethnomusicology, he combines his diverse background to present on accessibility, Agile development, AI/ML systems, and blockchain. As a partner at TLV Startup Hub, Lionel advises and connects founders with investors and corporate partnerships.

His management and deployment of multi-million dollar systems for Fortune 100 companies have benefitted tens of millions worldwide. Dr. Wolberger earned his BS from Cornell University and his PhD from Wesleyan University.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54828470Thu, 22 Jun 2023 23:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe047 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lwolberg/, is the Chief Compliance and Operating Officer of https://userway.org/, the market leader in web accessibility technology. With a prominent role in The World Wide Web...https://bit.ly/AIAe047

Dr. Lionel Wolberger, is the Chief Compliance and Operating Officer of UserWay, the market leader in web accessibility technology.

With a prominent role in The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), he passionately advocates for the disability community. He contributes to W3C's Accessible Platforms Architectures Working Group, developing current and future digital accessibility standards.

Additionally, he is a Privacy by Design ambassador, Cisco Security Ninja, and a seasoned presenter both on stage and TV. Wolberger's expertise extends to global standards such as Verifiable Credentials and DID, with patents to his name.

Holding a PhD in ethnomusicology, he combines his diverse background to present on accessibility, Agile development, AI/ML systems, and blockchain. As a partner at TLV Startup Hub, Lionel advises and connects founders with investors and corporate partnerships.

His management and deployment of multi-million dollar systems for Fortune 100 companies have benefitted tens of millions worldwide. Dr. Wolberger earned his BS from Cornell University and his PhD from Wesleyan University.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2784accessibility,digital,disability,internet,lawsuit,wc3,wcagfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-46-ali-thompson--53834333bit.ly/3M6wtSy

Ali Thompson is a national speaker presenting continuing education training on numerous specialized investigation techniques and First Responder Interactions with People with Disabilities. Thompson served over 25 years in the field of Law Enforcement as a dispatcher, patrol officer, and a detective, focusing on crimes against at-risk individuals. In 2013, Thompson became a Criminal Investigator with the State of Colorado and later worked at the Attorney General’s Office where she investigated allegations of abuse and neglect of at-risk persons. In 2020, she started Pulse Line Collaborative Training and trains first responders on Interacting with People with Disabilities.

Thompson is also the proud mother of two children with significant disabilities. She is a coach with Colorado Special Olympics, and, in 2019, Colorado Governor Jared Polis appointed Thompson to the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council where she also serves on the Legislative and Public Policy Committee.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53834333Wed, 17 May 2023 12:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/3M6wtSy Ali Thompson is a national speaker presenting continuing education training on numerous specialized investigation techniques and First Responder Interactions with People with Disabilities. Thompson served over 25...bit.ly/3M6wtSy

Ali Thompson is a national speaker presenting continuing education training on numerous specialized investigation techniques and First Responder Interactions with People with Disabilities. Thompson served over 25 years in the field of Law Enforcement as a dispatcher, patrol officer, and a detective, focusing on crimes against at-risk individuals. In 2013, Thompson became a Criminal Investigator with the State of Colorado and later worked at the Attorney General’s Office where she investigated allegations of abuse and neglect of at-risk persons. In 2020, she started Pulse Line Collaborative Training and trains first responders on Interacting with People with Disabilities.

Thompson is also the proud mother of two children with significant disabilities. She is a coach with Colorado Special Olympics, and, in 2019, Colorado Governor Jared Polis appointed Thompson to the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council where she also serves on the Legislative and Public Policy Committee.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1874ada,disability,disabled,fire,firstresponders,inclusion,law,lawenforcement,police,trainingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-45-judge-anita-schutte-and-judge-sueanna-johnson--53653174bit.ly/41WQelG

Judge Anita Schutte was appointed to the Denver District Court in June of 2022 and currently presides over a domestic relations docket. Prior to her appointment, she represented the Colorado Department of Human Services at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, served as a municipal court judge, as a public defender, and represented children with disabilities.

Judge Schutte has a severe hearing loss and recently co-founded the Colorado Disability Bar Association alongside Judge Johnson. She received her law degree in 2003 from Whittier Law School and her bachelor’s from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2000. She is a first-generation college student.

Judge Sueanna P. Johnson was appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals in December 2019. Before her appointment, she was employed with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office first as an Assistant Attorney General, then as a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Business and Licensing Section. While at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, she also worked in the State Services Section and served on the internal Ethics and Fellowship Committees.

She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2003 and earned her bachelor’s in political science from Colorado College in 1997.

As a person with albinism and a visual impairment, she is also a member of the National Organization of Albinism and Hypopigmentation. Judge Johnson was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted when she was three years old.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53653174Wed, 03 May 2023 12:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/41WQelG Judge Anita Schutte was appointed to the Denver District Court in June of 2022 and currently presides over a domestic relations docket. Prior to her appointment, she represented the Colorado Department of Human...bit.ly/41WQelG

Judge Anita Schutte was appointed to the Denver District Court in June of 2022 and currently presides over a domestic relations docket. Prior to her appointment, she represented the Colorado Department of Human Services at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, served as a municipal court judge, as a public defender, and represented children with disabilities.

Judge Schutte has a severe hearing loss and recently co-founded the Colorado Disability Bar Association alongside Judge Johnson. She received her law degree in 2003 from Whittier Law School and her bachelor’s from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2000. She is a first-generation college student.

Judge Sueanna P. Johnson was appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals in December 2019. Before her appointment, she was employed with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office first as an Assistant Attorney General, then as a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Business and Licensing Section. While at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, she also worked in the State Services Section and served on the internal Ethics and Fellowship Committees.

She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2003 and earned her bachelor’s in political science from Colorado College in 1997.

As a person with albinism and a visual impairment, she is also a member of the National Organization of Albinism and Hypopigmentation. Judge Johnson was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted when she was three years old.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1515access,accessibility,ada,americanswithdisabilitiesact,coloradolaw,disability,disabilitylaw,inclusion,judgeanitaschutte,judgesueannajohnson,lawfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-44-nate-and-holly-simon--53452679bit.ly/3zzC0uT

Nate Simon is a 20-year-old young entrepreneur, and Holly is his mom. Nate is a gold medalist for the Special Olympics, a model, and has a role in an up-and-coming movie. With hundreds of thousands of followers, Nate, or @MakeNateTheGreat, is known as the King of TikTok. Nate is also the CEO of a clothing company called 21 Pineapples. Through 21 Pineapples, Nate and Holly's mission is to spread love and change the way others see disabilities one funky shirt at a time.

Follow Nate:
TikTok.com/@MakeNateTheGreat
Facebook.com/NateTheGreatAndLindsey
21Pineapples.com
Instagram.com/21PineapplesShirtCo

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53452679Wed, 12 Apr 2023 12:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/3zzC0uT Nate Simon is a 20-year-old young entrepreneur, and Holly is his mom. Nate is a gold medalist for the Special Olympics, a model, and has a role in an up-and-coming movie. With hundreds of thousands of followers,...bit.ly/3zzC0uT

Nate Simon is a 20-year-old young entrepreneur, and Holly is his mom. Nate is a gold medalist for the Special Olympics, a model, and has a role in an up-and-coming movie. With hundreds of thousands of followers, Nate, or @MakeNateTheGreat, is known as the King of TikTok. Nate is also the CEO of a clothing company called 21 Pineapples. Through 21 Pineapples, Nate and Holly's mission is to spread love and change the way others see disabilities one funky shirt at a time.

Follow Nate:
TikTok.com/@MakeNateTheGreat
Facebook.com/NateTheGreatAndLindsey
21Pineapples.com
Instagram.com/21PineapplesShirtCo

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>200221pineapples,ada,disability,downsyndrome,fashion,hollysimon,inclusion,natesimon,tiktokfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-43-christy-kinsey--53212664http://bit.ly/3ZM5qkS

Christy Kinsey (maiden name Wise) was born in Reno, Nevada and grew up with a twin sister and younger brother, spending all their time skiing and playing sports. For college, Christy attended the United States Air Force Academy where she ski raced and played club softball. In 2009, she commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and in 2011, she received her pilot wings to fly the HC-130. She spent the next couple years stationed in Valdosta Georgia, and deployed to Afghanistan and Italy.

On April 11, 2015, Christy was visiting her friends for the weekend in Destin, Florida and she was on her paddleboard in a protected cove behind her friends’ house when she was struck by a hit-and-run boat driver. Although Christy’s life was miraculously saved, she lost her right leg above the knee in the incident.

Christy was determined not to let this change her life so she fought to stay in the Air Force and continue flying. She became the sixth Air Force pilot (and first female) to return to flying after an amputation. Along the way, she won 11 medals in the DOD Warrior Games and competed in two international Invictus Games. Humbled by all the support she received since the first night in the hospital, Christy and her twin sister Jessica started a non-profit, One Leg Up On Life, that provides prosthetic limbs to patients in Haiti.

Christy’s courage and determination to continue her Air Force career while also using her experience to help others exemplifies tremendous resiliency and strength of character.

Learn more about the One Leg Up On Life Foundation:
http://www.oneleguponlife.org/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53212664Wed, 22 Mar 2023 12:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/3ZM5qkS Christy Kinsey (maiden name Wise) was born in Reno, Nevada and grew up with a twin sister and younger brother, spending all their time skiing and playing sports. For college, Christy attended the United States Air...http://bit.ly/3ZM5qkS

Christy Kinsey (maiden name Wise) was born in Reno, Nevada and grew up with a twin sister and younger brother, spending all their time skiing and playing sports. For college, Christy attended the United States Air Force Academy where she ski raced and played club softball. In 2009, she commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and in 2011, she received her pilot wings to fly the HC-130. She spent the next couple years stationed in Valdosta Georgia, and deployed to Afghanistan and Italy.

On April 11, 2015, Christy was visiting her friends for the weekend in Destin, Florida and she was on her paddleboard in a protected cove behind her friends’ house when she was struck by a hit-and-run boat driver. Although Christy’s life was miraculously saved, she lost her right leg above the knee in the incident.

Christy was determined not to let this change her life so she fought to stay in the Air Force and continue flying. She became the sixth Air Force pilot (and first female) to return to flying after an amputation. Along the way, she won 11 medals in the DOD Warrior Games and competed in two international Invictus Games. Humbled by all the support she received since the first night in the hospital, Christy and her twin sister Jessica started a non-profit, One Leg Up On Life, that provides prosthetic limbs to patients in Haiti.

Christy’s courage and determination to continue her Air Force career while also using her experience to help others exemplifies tremendous resiliency and strength of character.

Learn more about the One Leg Up On Life Foundation:
http://www.oneleguponlife.org/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1703ada,airforce,amputee,christykinsey,christywise,disability,disabled,pilotfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-42-judy-heumann--53159549bit.ly/3J6QMxx

This episode was recorded on February 15, 2023. Less than three weeks later, on March 4, 2023, we received with great sadness the news that Judy Heumann passed away.

As you will hear in this episode, Judy was fiercely and continually devoted to strengthening the disability rights movement and calling in others to do the same. She fought the good fight for disabled people throughout her entire life. She was instrumental in advancing and defending disability rights at the national and international levels—truly a powerhouse for our community. To say her contributions are lasting is an understatement.

She will be deeply missed, and we are so honored to have gotten to spend some time with her. We send our deepest condolences to Judy’s family, friends, and anyone who was affected by her work and feels her loss, which is many.

Learn more about Judy:
judithheumann.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53159549Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:00:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/3J6QMxx This episode was recorded on February 15, 2023. Less than three weeks later, on March 4, 2023, we received with great sadness the news that Judy Heumann passed away. As you will hear in this episode, Judy was...bit.ly/3J6QMxx

This episode was recorded on February 15, 2023. Less than three weeks later, on March 4, 2023, we received with great sadness the news that Judy Heumann passed away.

As you will hear in this episode, Judy was fiercely and continually devoted to strengthening the disability rights movement and calling in others to do the same. She fought the good fight for disabled people throughout her entire life. She was instrumental in advancing and defending disability rights at the national and international levels—truly a powerhouse for our community. To say her contributions are lasting is an understatement.

She will be deeply missed, and we are so honored to have gotten to spend some time with her. We send our deepest condolences to Judy’s family, friends, and anyone who was affected by her work and feels her loss, which is many.

Learn more about Judy:
judithheumann.com]]>1886accessibility,ada,disability,disabilityrights,inclusion,judyheumannfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-41-wilfred-romero--52769093
Wilfred Romero has been a resident of Colorado Springs since June 2001. He has 35 years of experience leading non-profit organizations that provide services to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Wil holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management in Human Resources.

In Wil’s previous position with Booz Allen Hamilton, he provided training and technical assistance to non-profit agencies’ management teams as a Grantee Specialist. Wil’s area of expertise is program Design and Management.

Wil considers one his greatest achievements to be the opening of a Boys & Girls Club of Cheyenne in the low-income neighborhood where he grew up. The Boys & Girls Club of Cheyenne now serves over 3,000 youth members in Cheyenne, WY.

Wil is now the Executive Director of The Arc Pikes Peak Region and is committed to leading the organization to new heights.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52769093Wed, 22 Feb 2023 13:00:01 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://www.rev.com/transcript-editor/shared/vkCP96L0X5pAjwFGzBMbQPTe9LSgAE_Nhnv5qeGLzfc6QYcKSPtGfAVmkrAG6HrLrSOZDocg3dqHeQO0cZApEw6Eo_k?loadFrom=SharedLink Wilfred Romero has been a resident of Colorado Springs since June 2001. He has 35...
Wilfred Romero has been a resident of Colorado Springs since June 2001. He has 35 years of experience leading non-profit organizations that provide services to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Wil holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management in Human Resources.

In Wil’s previous position with Booz Allen Hamilton, he provided training and technical assistance to non-profit agencies’ management teams as a Grantee Specialist. Wil’s area of expertise is program Design and Management.

Wil considers one his greatest achievements to be the opening of a Boys & Girls Club of Cheyenne in the low-income neighborhood where he grew up. The Boys & Girls Club of Cheyenne now serves over 3,000 youth members in Cheyenne, WY.

Wil is now the Executive Director of The Arc Pikes Peak Region and is committed to leading the organization to new heights.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1947ada,disabilities,disability,idd,inclusion,pikespeak,thearc,wilfredromero,wilromerofalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-40-mindy-scheier--52426572
Before starting the Runway of Dreams Foundation in 2014, Mindy spent 20 years working in fashion as a designer for the INC collection and as a stylist for Saks Fifth Avenue. Mindy was inspired to start Runway of Dreams after her son Oliver, who has Muscular Dystrophy, dreamed of wearing jeans like everyone else. After using her design skills to adapt jeans that met his needs and increased his confidence, she went on to conduct extensive research as to the modifications required to mainstream clothing to meet the needs of the largest minority in our world- people with disabilities.

In 2016, Mindy partnered with Tommy Hilfiger to make fashion history by creating the first mainstream adaptive clothing line in the market. Runway of Dreams was founded on the basis that clothing is a basic human need. The foundation develops, delivers, and supports initiatives providing a platform to broaden the reach of mainstream adaptive clothing and promote people with disabilities (PWDs) in the fashion industry. This year’s Runway of Dreams fashion show was recognized as one of the top seven NYFW shows by Forbes, highlighting the latest designs from the Adaptive category featuring brands such as Kohl’s, Target, JCPenney, Zappos.com and Tommy Hilfiger.

Due to the overwhelming amount of requests Mindy received at Runway of Dreams from a multitude of brands and industries for connection to PWDs, in 2019, Mindy created GAMUT Management. GAMUT is a trailblazing consulting and talent management company that represents people with disabilities (PWDs), across the fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment industries.

GAMUT exists to lead brands towards doing better, more inclusive business, helping to engage with, and develop new products for PWDs. GAMUT works with a diverse range of clients including Adidas, Victoria’s Secret, Footlocker, Kohls & QVC.

Mindy has been featured in Newsweek’s “The Creative Class of 2019: Innovators,” and People magazine’s “Heroes Among Us: Making the Fashion Industry More Inclusive”. She has also been featured in USA Today, Parents Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vogue Business, WWD, NBC’s Today, ABC’s Good Morning America & The View, Access, CNBC, Forbes, Hollywood Reporter and Fox News Channel.

An inspiring TED Talk speaker, Mindy has received numerous awards including Arc’s Catalyst Award for “Marketing Influencer of the Year”, Citrin Cooperman’s “Women at the Wheel Leadership Excellence Award”, the Association of Image Consultants “International Bravo Award” and Enable Inc.’s “Michael Graves Award for Creativity and Persistence”. Mindy has also been given the honor of ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange in recognition for her innovative work in the Adaptive space towards raising awareness and driving change for people with disabilities.

Mindy studied Fashion Design with a dual program at the University of Vermont and Fashion Institute of Technology.

TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/mindy_scheier_how_adaptive_clothing_empowers_people_with_disabilities?language=en

ABC The VIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9KA-ftCtng

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52426572Wed, 18 Jan 2023 13:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://www.rev.com/transcript-editor/shared/Yk8ZzAqMj8RkwPWrnDeD2ibMVVMjS7t0vqVjpPxoDH4jXaLZ2Fb7JEVDBL1uBZ8FM7u-mRzlf79V3Oy6_8Rn_20k0hQ?loadFrom=SharedLink Before starting the https://www.runwayofdreams.org/ in 2014, Mindy spent 20 years...
Before starting the Runway of Dreams Foundation in 2014, Mindy spent 20 years working in fashion as a designer for the INC collection and as a stylist for Saks Fifth Avenue. Mindy was inspired to start Runway of Dreams after her son Oliver, who has Muscular Dystrophy, dreamed of wearing jeans like everyone else. After using her design skills to adapt jeans that met his needs and increased his confidence, she went on to conduct extensive research as to the modifications required to mainstream clothing to meet the needs of the largest minority in our world- people with disabilities.

In 2016, Mindy partnered with Tommy Hilfiger to make fashion history by creating the first mainstream adaptive clothing line in the market. Runway of Dreams was founded on the basis that clothing is a basic human need. The foundation develops, delivers, and supports initiatives providing a platform to broaden the reach of mainstream adaptive clothing and promote people with disabilities (PWDs) in the fashion industry. This year’s Runway of Dreams fashion show was recognized as one of the top seven NYFW shows by Forbes, highlighting the latest designs from the Adaptive category featuring brands such as Kohl’s, Target, JCPenney, Zappos.com and Tommy Hilfiger.

Due to the overwhelming amount of requests Mindy received at Runway of Dreams from a multitude of brands and industries for connection to PWDs, in 2019, Mindy created GAMUT Management. GAMUT is a trailblazing consulting and talent management company that represents people with disabilities (PWDs), across the fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment industries.

GAMUT exists to lead brands towards doing better, more inclusive business, helping to engage with, and develop new products for PWDs. GAMUT works with a diverse range of clients including Adidas, Victoria’s Secret, Footlocker, Kohls & QVC.

Mindy has been featured in Newsweek’s “The Creative Class of 2019: Innovators,” and People magazine’s “Heroes Among Us: Making the Fashion Industry More Inclusive”. She has also been featured in USA Today, Parents Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vogue Business, WWD, NBC’s Today, ABC’s Good Morning America & The View, Access, CNBC, Forbes, Hollywood Reporter and Fox News Channel.

An inspiring TED Talk speaker, Mindy has received numerous awards including Arc’s Catalyst Award for “Marketing Influencer of the Year”, Citrin Cooperman’s “Women at the Wheel Leadership Excellence Award”, the Association of Image Consultants “International Bravo Award” and Enable Inc.’s “Michael Graves Award for Creativity and Persistence”. Mindy has also been given the honor of ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange in recognition for her innovative work in the Adaptive space towards raising awareness and driving change for people with disabilities.

Mindy studied Fashion Design with a dual program at the University of Vermont and Fashion Institute of Technology.

TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/mindy_scheier_how_adaptive_clothing_empowers_people_with_disabilities?language=en

ABC The VIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9KA-ftCtng

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1530accessibility,ada,adaptability,disabilities,disability,dystrophy,fashion,modeling,muscular,parentingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-39-beth-finke--52113668https://t.co/yMGsjRPUzg

Beth Finke loves to read and to write. She moderates the Easterseals national blog, and she writes books, too. Her book Writing Out Loud delves into the work she does leading memoir-writing classes for older adults in Chicago. Her first published book, a memoir called Long Time, No See, talks about her adjustment to blindness at age 26. Her second book, Safe and Sound, is a children’s book about seeing-eye dogs. Ever since it won an award for children’s literature from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Beth has kept busy visiting schools to talk with kids about disability awareness, service dogs, and teamwork with her guide dog, Luna.

In late 2021, Beth was busy writing textbooks for elementary school students. Those textbooks are part of a series of eight textbooks called “Understanding Disability” that was published by Cherry Lake Publishing Group. Each textbook is authored by a writer with a disability.

Connect with Beth:
https://bethfinke.com/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52113668Wed, 14 Dec 2022 12:25:01 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://t.co/yMGsjRPUzg Beth Finke loves to read and to write. She moderates the Easterseals national blog, and she writes books, too. Her book Writing Out Loud delves into the work she does leading memoir-writing classes for older...https://t.co/yMGsjRPUzg

Beth Finke loves to read and to write. She moderates the Easterseals national blog, and she writes books, too. Her book Writing Out Loud delves into the work she does leading memoir-writing classes for older adults in Chicago. Her first published book, a memoir called Long Time, No See, talks about her adjustment to blindness at age 26. Her second book, Safe and Sound, is a children’s book about seeing-eye dogs. Ever since it won an award for children’s literature from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Beth has kept busy visiting schools to talk with kids about disability awareness, service dogs, and teamwork with her guide dog, Luna.

In late 2021, Beth was busy writing textbooks for elementary school students. Those textbooks are part of a series of eight textbooks called “Understanding Disability” that was published by Cherry Lake Publishing Group. Each textbook is authored by a writer with a disability.

Connect with Beth:
https://bethfinke.com/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1761falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-38-nick-isenberg--51621941https://t.co/ucf7MzLLno

Nick Isenberg has had an impressive 54-year career as a radio, television, and print reporter in cities across America. He served as bureau chief for television stations in Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers, but the bulk of his reporting career has been spent in Colorado, lending his producing and reporting skills to dozens of news outlets in the state. Nick has also worked as a public information officer for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, and public relations for Colorado Mountain College, and he currently produces independent documentaries.

In case his resume wasn't already impressive enough, Nick currently hosts and produces a podcast called The Tactile Traveler that seeks to empower blind and low-vision people to explore the world, and helps sighted friends see the world in a new way. Nick is totally blind and considered Deaf-Blind. He has called being a Deaf-Blind reporter a whole new sport.

Connect with Nick:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tactile-traveler/id1474833991

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51621941Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:19:53 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://t.co/ucf7MzLLno Nick Isenberg has had an impressive 54-year career as a radio, television, and print reporter in cities across America. He served as bureau chief for television stations in Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers, but the...https://t.co/ucf7MzLLno

Nick Isenberg has had an impressive 54-year career as a radio, television, and print reporter in cities across America. He served as bureau chief for television stations in Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers, but the bulk of his reporting career has been spent in Colorado, lending his producing and reporting skills to dozens of news outlets in the state. Nick has also worked as a public information officer for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, and public relations for Colorado Mountain College, and he currently produces independent documentaries.

In case his resume wasn't already impressive enough, Nick currently hosts and produces a podcast called The Tactile Traveler that seeks to empower blind and low-vision people to explore the world, and helps sighted friends see the world in a new way. Nick is totally blind and considered Deaf-Blind. He has called being a Deaf-Blind reporter a whole new sport.

Connect with Nick:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tactile-traveler/id1474833991

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1465falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-37-beth-leleck--51430699https://bit.ly/AIAe037

Today’s guest is Beth Leleck. In 2008, Beth was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She was determined to maintain her mobility while living with the disease. Colorado, where Beth lives, is home to 58 mountains taller than 14,000 feet in height, known to locals as 14ers. In 14 summers, Leleck conquered all of Colorado’s 14ers and she raised more than $100,000 to fund multiple sclerosis research.

Connect with Beth:
https://mobile.twitter.com/bethleleck
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethleleck

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51430699Wed, 05 Oct 2022 19:45:01 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe037 Today’s guest is Beth Leleck. In 2008, Beth was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She was determined to maintain her mobility while living with the disease. Colorado, where Beth lives, is home to 58 mountains...https://bit.ly/AIAe037

Today’s guest is Beth Leleck. In 2008, Beth was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She was determined to maintain her mobility while living with the disease. Colorado, where Beth lives, is home to 58 mountains taller than 14,000 feet in height, known to locals as 14ers. In 14 summers, Leleck conquered all of Colorado’s 14ers and she raised more than $100,000 to fund multiple sclerosis research.

Connect with Beth:
https://mobile.twitter.com/bethleleck
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethleleck

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1066falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-36-chai-feldblum--50938563https://bit.ly/AIAe036

Chai Feldblum is a long-time civil rights advocate and scholar. As Legislative Counsel to the ACLU AIDS Project in the late 1980s, Chai played a leading role in drafting and negotiating the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. She later played the same role on the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. Chai also led the drafting and negotiating of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill to prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As a law professor at Georgetown Law, Chai created a Federal Legislation Clinic where she and her students helped non-profit organizations advance their legislative social justice goals. The Clinic’s clients included various disability organizations and Catholic Charities USA. Chai also founded and directed Workplace Flexibility 2010, an effort designed to bring employers and employees together on policy approaches to advance workplace flexibility.

Chai served as a Commissioner of the Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from 2010 to 2019 where she played a significant role in establishing the rights of LGBTQ employees under existing sex discrimination laws, enhancing the employment of people with disabilities, protecting the rights of pregnant workers, and leading a proactive effort to prevent harassment in the workplace. From 2019 to 2021, Chai was a Partner and Director of Workplace Culture Consulting at Morgan Lewis, where she helped employers create safe, respectful, diverse and inclusive workplaces. She continues to consult with Morgan Lewis on selected projects.

In 2021, Chai became a free-lance civil rights advocate. She assists with legislative and regulatory work regarding civil rights, particularly for LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities and women. She also serves as Vice Chair of the AbilityOne Commission, a federal agency devoted to the employment of people with significant disabilities.

Chai attended Barnard College and Harvard Law School and clerked for Judge Frank M. Coffin on the First Circuit Court of Appeals and for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun.

Connect with Chai:
https://www.chaifeldblum.com/
https://twitter.com/chaifeldblum
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chai-feldblum-8882894/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50938563Wed, 17 Aug 2022 11:01:54 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe036 Chai Feldblum is a long-time civil rights advocate and scholar. As Legislative Counsel to the ACLU AIDS Project in the late 1980s, Chai played a leading role in drafting and negotiating the Americans with...https://bit.ly/AIAe036

Chai Feldblum is a long-time civil rights advocate and scholar. As Legislative Counsel to the ACLU AIDS Project in the late 1980s, Chai played a leading role in drafting and negotiating the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. She later played the same role on the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. Chai also led the drafting and negotiating of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill to prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As a law professor at Georgetown Law, Chai created a Federal Legislation Clinic where she and her students helped non-profit organizations advance their legislative social justice goals. The Clinic’s clients included various disability organizations and Catholic Charities USA. Chai also founded and directed Workplace Flexibility 2010, an effort designed to bring employers and employees together on policy approaches to advance workplace flexibility.

Chai served as a Commissioner of the Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from 2010 to 2019 where she played a significant role in establishing the rights of LGBTQ employees under existing sex discrimination laws, enhancing the employment of people with disabilities, protecting the rights of pregnant workers, and leading a proactive effort to prevent harassment in the workplace. From 2019 to 2021, Chai was a Partner and Director of Workplace Culture Consulting at Morgan Lewis, where she helped employers create safe, respectful, diverse and inclusive workplaces. She continues to consult with Morgan Lewis on selected projects.

In 2021, Chai became a free-lance civil rights advocate. She assists with legislative and regulatory work regarding civil rights, particularly for LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities and women. She also serves as Vice Chair of the AbilityOne Commission, a federal agency devoted to the employment of people with significant disabilities.

Chai attended Barnard College and Harvard Law School and clerked for Judge Frank M. Coffin on the First Circuit Court of Appeals and for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun.

Connect with Chai:
https://www.chaifeldblum.com/
https://twitter.com/chaifeldblum
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chai-feldblum-8882894/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2135falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-35-andres-gallegos--50575282
Today’s guest is Andrés Gallegos. He is the Chairman of the National Council on Disability, appointed by President Biden. In addition, he is a shareholder at the law firm Robbins DiMonte (RD) and the Chair of their disability rights practice, where he concentrates on improving access to healthcare and wellness for persons with all types of disabilities, across the country. 

He is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago’s Center for Independent Living, and is a two-term past-member of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois, having been appointed by the governor. He is also a board member of ADA 25 Advancing Leadership Institute, a Chicago-based non-for profit whose mission is to increase civic engagement and diverse leadership in the Chicago region by developing and building a network of leaders with disabilities.

Mr. Gallegos is the 2015 recipient of the Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award from the American Association of People with Disabilities. He has written numerous articles for national and state professional healthcare and legal organizations on matters relating to the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. He is a highly-sought out lecturer on accessible healthcare and disability rights.

He graduated with Honors from the University of Southern Mississippi, with a B.S. in Business Administration, and he attained a Juris Doctorate from the St. Louis University School of Law. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving honorably for 14 years.

Connect with Andrés:
https://robbinsdimonte.com/our-attorneys/andres-j-gallegos/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50575282Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:40:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe035 Today’s guest is Andrés Gallegos. He is the Chairman of the National Council on Disability, appointed by President Biden. In addition, he is a shareholder at the law firm Robbins DiMonte (RD) and the Chair of their...
Today’s guest is Andrés Gallegos. He is the Chairman of the National Council on Disability, appointed by President Biden. In addition, he is a shareholder at the law firm Robbins DiMonte (RD) and the Chair of their disability rights practice, where he concentrates on improving access to healthcare and wellness for persons with all types of disabilities, across the country. 

He is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago’s Center for Independent Living, and is a two-term past-member of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois, having been appointed by the governor. He is also a board member of ADA 25 Advancing Leadership Institute, a Chicago-based non-for profit whose mission is to increase civic engagement and diverse leadership in the Chicago region by developing and building a network of leaders with disabilities.

Mr. Gallegos is the 2015 recipient of the Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award from the American Association of People with Disabilities. He has written numerous articles for national and state professional healthcare and legal organizations on matters relating to the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. He is a highly-sought out lecturer on accessible healthcare and disability rights.

He graduated with Honors from the University of Southern Mississippi, with a B.S. in Business Administration, and he attained a Juris Doctorate from the St. Louis University School of Law. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving honorably for 14 years.

Connect with Andrés:
https://robbinsdimonte.com/our-attorneys/andres-j-gallegos/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1685falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-34-keah-brown--49835552https://bit.ly/AIAe034

Today’s guest is Keah Brown. Keah is a journalist, author, studying actress and screenwriter. She is the recipient of Ulta Beauty’s Muse 100 award, Which is a celebration of 100 inspirational voices around beauty. She’s also one of The Root’s 100 most influential African Americans of 2018. Keah is the creator of the viral hashtag, #DisabledAndCute. Her work has appeared in Town & Country Magazine, Teen Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire UK, And The New York Times, among other publications. Her Debut essay collection, The Pretty One is out now. Her debut picture book, Sam’s Super Seats will be out Fall 2022 via Kokila books.

Connect with Keah:
https://keahbrown.com/
https://www.instagram.com/keah_maria/

The Pretty One: https://www.amazon.com/Pretty-One-Culture-Disability-Reasons/dp/1982100540/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1652820362&sr=8-2

Sam's Super Seats: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=keah+brown&crid=1Z1OLS3SDA4QY&sprefix=keah+br%2Caps%2C100&ref=nb_sb_ss_retrain-deeppltr_2_7

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49835552Wed, 18 May 2022 21:50:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe034 Today’s guest is Keah Brown. Keah is a journalist, author, studying actress and screenwriter. She is the recipient of Ulta Beauty’s Muse 100 award, Which is a celebration of 100 inspirational voices around beauty....https://bit.ly/AIAe034

Today’s guest is Keah Brown. Keah is a journalist, author, studying actress and screenwriter. She is the recipient of Ulta Beauty’s Muse 100 award, Which is a celebration of 100 inspirational voices around beauty. She’s also one of The Root’s 100 most influential African Americans of 2018. Keah is the creator of the viral hashtag, #DisabledAndCute. Her work has appeared in Town & Country Magazine, Teen Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire UK, And The New York Times, among other publications. Her Debut essay collection, The Pretty One is out now. Her debut picture book, Sam’s Super Seats will be out Fall 2022 via Kokila books.

Connect with Keah:
https://keahbrown.com/
https://www.instagram.com/keah_maria/

The Pretty One: https://www.amazon.com/Pretty-One-Culture-Disability-Reasons/dp/1982100540/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1652820362&sr=8-2

Sam's Super Seats: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=keah+brown&crid=1Z1OLS3SDA4QY&sprefix=keah+br%2Caps%2C100&ref=nb_sb_ss_retrain-deeppltr_2_7

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1288falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-33-scott-ready--49328179https://bit.ly/AIAe033

Today’s guest is Scott Ready. Scott has served the education industry for 20+ years and has worked for 35+ years in accessibility. Ready’s first language is American Sign Language, and he has been part of the deaf community through his parents, who were former teachers at the Missouri School for the Deaf.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49328179Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:40:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe033 Today’s guest is Scott Ready. Scott has served the education industry for 20+ years and has worked for 35+ years in accessibility. Ready’s first language is American Sign Language, and he has been part of the deaf...https://bit.ly/AIAe033

Today’s guest is Scott Ready. Scott has served the education industry for 20+ years and has worked for 35+ years in accessibility. Ready’s first language is American Sign Language, and he has been part of the deaf community through his parents, who were former teachers at the Missouri School for the Deaf.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1195falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-32-tiffany-yu--49009098https://bit.ly/AIAe032

Today’s guest is Tiffany Yu. Tiffany is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride. She’s also the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a monthly micro-grant that has awarded over $59,000 to 60 disability projects in 10 countries.

Tiffany is an influential content creator with over 160,000 followers across platforms. She serves on the San Francisco Mayor’s Disability Council and was a 2020 Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit.

At the age of 9, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father.

She started her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and has also worked at Bloomberg and Sean Diddy Combs' REVOLT Media & TV. She is a 3x TEDx speaker and spoke on 5 sessions at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. She has been featured in Marie Claire, the Guardian, and Forbes.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49009098Wed, 23 Mar 2022 11:00:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe032 Today’s guest is Tiffany Yu. Tiffany is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride. She’s also the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a...https://bit.ly/AIAe032

Today’s guest is Tiffany Yu. Tiffany is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride. She’s also the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a monthly micro-grant that has awarded over $59,000 to 60 disability projects in 10 countries.

Tiffany is an influential content creator with over 160,000 followers across platforms. She serves on the San Francisco Mayor’s Disability Council and was a 2020 Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit.

At the age of 9, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father.

She started her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and has also worked at Bloomberg and Sean Diddy Combs' REVOLT Media & TV. She is a 3x TEDx speaker and spoke on 5 sessions at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. She has been featured in Marie Claire, the Guardian, and Forbes.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2582access,ceo,disability,diversability,girlboss,inclusion,influencerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-31-rick-allen-and-lauren-monroe--48994186https://bit.ly/AIAe031

Today’s guests are Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe.

Rick Allen is the legendary drummer for the world-famous rock band, Def Leppard. Rick joined Def Leppard at the age of 15, right before the band signed their record contract. He lost his left arm in a car accident in 1984, but that didn’t stop him from being an incredible drummer with the help of a (semi-)electronic drum kit.

Raven Drum Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Rick, and his wife, Lauren Monroe, who is a musician, and healing arts educator.

Raven Drum's mission is to serve, educate, and empower Veterans dealing with PTSD and TBI, people in crisis, and other at-risk populations.

The Foundation engages drumming as a tool for healing, allowing participants to use rhythm, mindfulness, and energy-medicine techniques as an avenue for connection and healing.

Connect with Rick:
https://rickallen.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZRXBRaJ58TFT9YsqTlE1AA/feed
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theofficialrickallen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickallenlive
Instagram: @rickallenlive
https://www.instagram.com/rickallenlive/

Connect with Lauren:
https://laurenmonroe.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe6wZQN_bHOrn4n2g790eYg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenMonroeMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Iamlaurenmonroe
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4AMLhBHvIyC1wwMvKpirXR
Instagram: @laurenmonroelive
https://www.instagram.com/laurenmonroelive/

Learn about Raven Drum Foundation:
https://ravendrumfoundation.org/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48994186Wed, 09 Mar 2022 12:00:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe031 Today’s guests are Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe. Rick Allen is the legendary drummer for the world-famous rock band, Def Leppard. Rick joined Def Leppard at the age of 15, right before the band signed their...https://bit.ly/AIAe031

Today’s guests are Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe.

Rick Allen is the legendary drummer for the world-famous rock band, Def Leppard. Rick joined Def Leppard at the age of 15, right before the band signed their record contract. He lost his left arm in a car accident in 1984, but that didn’t stop him from being an incredible drummer with the help of a (semi-)electronic drum kit.

Raven Drum Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Rick, and his wife, Lauren Monroe, who is a musician, and healing arts educator.

Raven Drum's mission is to serve, educate, and empower Veterans dealing with PTSD and TBI, people in crisis, and other at-risk populations.

The Foundation engages drumming as a tool for healing, allowing participants to use rhythm, mindfulness, and energy-medicine techniques as an avenue for connection and healing.

Connect with Rick:
https://rickallen.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZRXBRaJ58TFT9YsqTlE1AA/feed
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theofficialrickallen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickallenlive
Instagram: @rickallenlive
https://www.instagram.com/rickallenlive/

Connect with Lauren:
https://laurenmonroe.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe6wZQN_bHOrn4n2g790eYg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenMonroeMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Iamlaurenmonroe
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4AMLhBHvIyC1wwMvKpirXR
Instagram: @laurenmonroelive
https://www.instagram.com/laurenmonroelive/

Learn about Raven Drum Foundation:
https://ravendrumfoundation.org/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1452celebrity,defleppard,disability,drummer,healing,music,ptsd,rickallen,rock,star,tbi,veteranfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-30-christy-gardner--48819709https://bit.ly/AIAe030

Today’s guest is Christy Gardner. Christy is a 39 year old retired Army veteran from Oxford, Maine. She was injured overseas in 2006 and spent nearly 5 rehabbing before she was finally able to live on her own again and started participating in adaptive sports, thanks to her Service Dog Moxie. She’s now an assistant captain of the US Women’s Para Ice Hockey Team and was an alternate for Tokyo 2020 in shot put and discus. She also represented the USA at the Para Surfing World Championships in 2020. Gardner has been training service dogs and therapy dogs for the past nine years but wanted to grow that dream to help more Mainers in need. Mission Working Dogs was founded in July 2020 as a local non-profit to do just that. The organization serves to train service dogs and therapy dogs for the local community and has started construction on a new training center in Maine.

Connect with Christy:
Website:

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48819709Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:15:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe030 Today’s guest is Christy Gardner. Christy is a 39 year old retired Army veteran from Oxford, Maine. She was injured overseas in 2006 and spent nearly 5 rehabbing before she was finally able to live on her own...https://bit.ly/AIAe030

Today’s guest is Christy Gardner. Christy is a 39 year old retired Army veteran from Oxford, Maine. She was injured overseas in 2006 and spent nearly 5 rehabbing before she was finally able to live on her own again and started participating in adaptive sports, thanks to her Service Dog Moxie. She’s now an assistant captain of the US Women’s Para Ice Hockey Team and was an alternate for Tokyo 2020 in shot put and discus. She also represented the USA at the Para Surfing World Championships in 2020. Gardner has been training service dogs and therapy dogs for the past nine years but wanted to grow that dream to help more Mainers in need. Mission Working Dogs was founded in July 2020 as a local non-profit to do just that. The organization serves to train service dogs and therapy dogs for the local community and has started construction on a new training center in Maine.

Connect with Christy:
Website:

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1381falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-29-jessica-cox--48439922https://bit.ly/AIAe029

Today’s guest is Jessica Cox. Jessica is recognized internationally as an inspirational keynote speaker. Born without arms, Jessica now flies airplanes, drives cars, and otherwise lives a normal life using her feet as others use their hands. She holds the title of the first person without arms to earn a black belt in ATA Martial Arts and the Guinness World Record for being the first armless person in aviation history to earn a pilot’s certificate. Convinced that the way we think has a greater impact on our lives than our physical constraints, Jessica chose to pursue a degree in psychology at the University of Arizona. Since then she has traveled to 26 countries on six continents sharing her inspirational message.

Connect with Jessica:
Website: https://jessicacox.com/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48439922Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:00:04 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe029 Today’s guest is Jessica Cox. Jessica is recognized internationally as an inspirational keynote speaker. Born without arms, Jessica now flies airplanes, drives cars, and otherwise lives a normal life using her...https://bit.ly/AIAe029

Today’s guest is Jessica Cox. Jessica is recognized internationally as an inspirational keynote speaker. Born without arms, Jessica now flies airplanes, drives cars, and otherwise lives a normal life using her feet as others use their hands. She holds the title of the first person without arms to earn a black belt in ATA Martial Arts and the Guinness World Record for being the first armless person in aviation history to earn a pilot’s certificate. Convinced that the way we think has a greater impact on our lives than our physical constraints, Jessica chose to pursue a degree in psychology at the University of Arizona. Since then she has traveled to 26 countries on six continents sharing her inspirational message.

Connect with Jessica:
Website: https://jessicacox.com/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1004accessibility,disability,disabled,flight,guinness,keynote,pilot,recordfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-28-dr-anjali-forber-pratt--48439741https://bit.ly/AIAe028

Today’s guest is Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt. She is a disability activist, a two-time Paralympian and the Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) in the Administration for Community Living. As a researcher, her primary area of work relates to disability identity development.

As a wheelchair-user for over 35 years, Dr. Forber-Pratt is nationally and internationally recognized as a disability leader and mentor. She was a White House Champion of Change in 2013 and the American Psychological Association awarded her the 2020 Citizen Psychologist Award for Advancing Disability as a Human Rights and Social Justice Issue Award.

Connect with Dr. Forber-Pratt:
Website: http://www.anjfp.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anjalifp
Email: Anjali.Forber-Pratt@acl.hhs.gov

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48439741Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:00:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe028 Today’s guest is Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt. She is a disability activist, a two-time Paralympian and the Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) in...https://bit.ly/AIAe028

Today’s guest is Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt. She is a disability activist, a two-time Paralympian and the Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) in the Administration for Community Living. As a researcher, her primary area of work relates to disability identity development.

As a wheelchair-user for over 35 years, Dr. Forber-Pratt is nationally and internationally recognized as a disability leader and mentor. She was a White House Champion of Change in 2013 and the American Psychological Association awarded her the 2020 Citizen Psychologist Award for Advancing Disability as a Human Rights and Social Justice Issue Award.

Connect with Dr. Forber-Pratt:
Website: http://www.anjfp.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anjalifp
Email: Anjali.Forber-Pratt@acl.hhs.gov

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1674access,accessibility,athlete,disability,government,identity,inclusion,paralympics,research,wheelchairfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-27-michael-kutcher--47622049https://bit.ly/AIAe027

Today’s guest is Michael Kutcher. From the moment of birth, Michael has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born as an unexpected twin, Michael met the first of many challenges at delivery. He was notably smaller than his twin at less than five pounds, was hardly responsive and struggled to take his first breath.

By age three, Michael was battling significant developmental delays and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy before he entered Kindergarten.

Michael is a keynote speaker, speaking internationally about diversity and inclusion and helping audiences to change their perspective of the disability community. He’s also a disability advocate and advisor. He is the creator of the Diffability brand and has recently finished his memoir to be released in the upcoming year.

Connect with Michael:
https://www.michaelkutcher.com/about

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47622049Wed, 22 Dec 2021 12:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe027 Today’s guest is Michael Kutcher. From the moment of birth, Michael has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born as an unexpected twin, Michael met the first...https://bit.ly/AIAe027

Today’s guest is Michael Kutcher. From the moment of birth, Michael has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born as an unexpected twin, Michael met the first of many challenges at delivery. He was notably smaller than his twin at less than five pounds, was hardly responsive and struggled to take his first breath.

By age three, Michael was battling significant developmental delays and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy before he entered Kindergarten.

Michael is a keynote speaker, speaking internationally about diversity and inclusion and helping audiences to change their perspective of the disability community. He’s also a disability advocate and advisor. He is the creator of the Diffability brand and has recently finished his memoir to be released in the upcoming year.

Connect with Michael:
https://www.michaelkutcher.com/about

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1136advocate,cerebral,dei,de&i,diffability,disabilities,disability,disabled,diversity,heart,inclusion,keynote,law,legal,palsy,transplantfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-26-cliff-devries--47622044https://bit.ly/AIAe026

Today’s guest is award-winning diver and diving coach, Cliff Devries. As a young man, Cliff was a diving prodigy and was on track to make the Olympics. While he was in college, it was discovered that Cliff had a tumor on his spinal cord, and he underwent surgery to have it removed. Complications from the surgery left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Cliff worked hard to regain as much mobility as possible, and then began his journey as a diving coach. Today, Cliff is a distinguished and beloved diving coach.

Among his many achievements: He’s won the Upper New York State Athletic Conference Diving Coach of the year six times. In 2018, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America made him the first diving coach to win the Richard E. Steadman Award.

Connect with Cliff:
https://ritathletics.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/cliff-devries/1858

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47622044Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe026 Today’s guest is award-winning diver and diving coach, Cliff Devries. As a young man, Cliff was a diving prodigy and was on track to make the Olympics. While he was in college, it was discovered that Cliff had a...https://bit.ly/AIAe026

Today’s guest is award-winning diver and diving coach, Cliff Devries. As a young man, Cliff was a diving prodigy and was on track to make the Olympics. While he was in college, it was discovered that Cliff had a tumor on his spinal cord, and he underwent surgery to have it removed. Complications from the surgery left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Cliff worked hard to regain as much mobility as possible, and then began his journey as a diving coach. Today, Cliff is a distinguished and beloved diving coach.

Among his many achievements: He’s won the Upper New York State Athletic Conference Diving Coach of the year six times. In 2018, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America made him the first diving coach to win the Richard E. Steadman Award.

Connect with Cliff:
https://ritathletics.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/cliff-devries/1858

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1141accessibility,coach,disability,diving,injury,paralyzed,perserverance,surgery,swimming,tumorfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-25-jim-speer--47621647https://bit.ly/AIAe025

Today’s guest is Jim Speer, founder of Mobility Roadside Assistance, which is the first provider of roadside assistance covering both the United States and Canada that focuses specifically on the needs of drivers with mobility disabilities, not just the disabled vehicle.

Mobility Roadside Assistance provides peace of mind through full-service roadside assistance, including accessible transportation pick-up for people with mobility disabilities, their families, vehicles, and equipment.

Jim is a Navy veteran with over 40 years of experience in the automotive, trucking and insurance industry. He has been in sales all his life and lives with multiple disabilities himself. He is a proud father to four children and has been married to his wife for 48 years.

Connect with Jim:
https://www.mobilityroadsideassistance.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-speer-27a6201/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47621647Wed, 24 Nov 2021 12:00:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe025 Today’s guest is Jim Speer, founder of Mobility Roadside Assistance, which is the first provider of roadside assistance covering both the United States and Canada that focuses specifically on the needs of drivers...https://bit.ly/AIAe025

Today’s guest is Jim Speer, founder of Mobility Roadside Assistance, which is the first provider of roadside assistance covering both the United States and Canada that focuses specifically on the needs of drivers with mobility disabilities, not just the disabled vehicle.

Mobility Roadside Assistance provides peace of mind through full-service roadside assistance, including accessible transportation pick-up for people with mobility disabilities, their families, vehicles, and equipment.

Jim is a Navy veteran with over 40 years of experience in the automotive, trucking and insurance industry. He has been in sales all his life and lives with multiple disabilities himself. He is a proud father to four children and has been married to his wife for 48 years.

Connect with Jim:
https://www.mobilityroadsideassistance.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-speer-27a6201/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1542assistance,business,disability,entrepreneur,navy,rescue,roadside,veteran,wheelchairfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-24-representative-david-ortiz--47395671https://bit.ly/AIAe024

Today’s guest is Colorado State Representative, David Ortiz. He is Colorado’s first lawmaker who uses a wheelchair, and the sponsor of a first-of-its-kind, state website accessibility Bill.

In 2012, Ortiz survived a helicopter crash while serving as a pilot in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.

David’s drive to serve others did not end with crash that left him injured, he has continued to advocate for his community, veterans, and more at the state Capitol and now, the Colorado House of Representatives.

Connect with Representative Ortiz:
https://www.davidortizcolorado.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-d-ortiz-hellonwheels/
https://www.facebook.com/daviddortizCO/
https://twitter.com/DavidDOrtizCO
https://www.instagram.com/daviddortizco/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47395671Wed, 10 Nov 2021 12:00:13 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe024 Today’s guest is Colorado State Representative, David Ortiz. He is Colorado’s first lawmaker who uses a wheelchair, and the sponsor of a first-of-its-kind, state website accessibility Bill. In 2012, Ortiz survived...https://bit.ly/AIAe024

Today’s guest is Colorado State Representative, David Ortiz. He is Colorado’s first lawmaker who uses a wheelchair, and the sponsor of a first-of-its-kind, state website accessibility Bill.

In 2012, Ortiz survived a helicopter crash while serving as a pilot in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.

David’s drive to serve others did not end with crash that left him injured, he has continued to advocate for his community, veterans, and more at the state Capitol and now, the Colorado House of Representatives.

Connect with Representative Ortiz:
https://www.davidortizcolorado.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-d-ortiz-hellonwheels/
https://www.facebook.com/daviddortizCO/
https://twitter.com/DavidDOrtizCO
https://www.instagram.com/daviddortizco/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1568army,colorado,disability,disabled,law,lawmaker,legal,legislator,legislature,paralysis,pilot,politician,politics,representative,veteran,wheelchairfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-23-tim-gore--46606192https://bit.ly/AIAe023

Content warning: this episode contains brief mentions of sexual assault and suicide. There are no graphic descriptions.

Today’s guest is Tim Gore. Tim is a U.S. Army Veteran who experienced homelessness and abuse when he was young. He recently came to understand that his experiences as a youth and a soldier contributed to his development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

Tim is an accomplished ultrarunner and is gearing up for a 150 mile trail run through the majestic North Dakota badlands. The run will raise awareness for veterans experiencing PTSD, and increase funding for veterans services.

Connect with Tim:
https://www.facebook.com/coloradorunner67
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mt-carmel-veterans-service-center/the-buck-50-challenge-to-end-veteran-suicide

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46606192Wed, 22 Sep 2021 11:00:08 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe023 Content warning: this episode contains brief mentions of sexual assault and suicide. There are no graphic descriptions. Today’s guest is Tim Gore. Tim is a U.S. Army Veteran who experienced homelessness and abuse...https://bit.ly/AIAe023

Content warning: this episode contains brief mentions of sexual assault and suicide. There are no graphic descriptions.

Today’s guest is Tim Gore. Tim is a U.S. Army Veteran who experienced homelessness and abuse when he was young. He recently came to understand that his experiences as a youth and a soldier contributed to his development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

Tim is an accomplished ultrarunner and is gearing up for a 150 mile trail run through the majestic North Dakota badlands. The run will raise awareness for veterans experiencing PTSD, and increase funding for veterans services.

Connect with Tim:
https://www.facebook.com/coloradorunner67
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mt-carmel-veterans-service-center/the-buck-50-challenge-to-end-veteran-suicide

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1494ada,awareness,disability,health,mental,ptsd,runner,running,suicide,ultramarathonfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-22-judy-heumann--46302899https://bit.ly/AIAe022

Today’s guest is Judy Heumann. Judy, who contracted polio in 1949 and uses a wheelchair for her mobility, is a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people.

She has played a role in the development and implementation of major legislation including
the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
the Americans with Disability Act and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Judy is an internationally recognized leader in the disability rights community. She served in the Clinton and Obama Administrations and was a Senior Fellow at the Ford Foundation.

Her recently released memoir called “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist,” was audio recorded by Ali Stroker who is the first wheelchair actor to perform on Broadway. Judy is also featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary film Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.

These days, among other things, Judy is the producer of The Heumann Perspective, a podcast and YouTube channel that aims to share the beauty of the disability community.

Connect with Judy:
Judy's Website: https://judithheumann.com/
Judy's Memoir: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/621090/being-heumann-by-judith-heumann/9780807002803/
Judy's Young Adult Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670588/rolling-warrior-by-judith-heumann/
Crip Camp: https://cripcamp.com/
Judy's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0CYpP8LB2wZ8vUM93DnINF
Social Media:
https://twitter.com/judithheumann
https://www.instagram.com/theheumannperspective/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-heumann-71b026122/
https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyHeumannTHP/videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46302899Wed, 01 Sep 2021 11:00:05 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe022 Today’s guest is Judy Heumann. Judy, who contracted polio in 1949 and uses a wheelchair for her mobility, is a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people. She has played a role in the development and...https://bit.ly/AIAe022

Today’s guest is Judy Heumann. Judy, who contracted polio in 1949 and uses a wheelchair for her mobility, is a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people.

She has played a role in the development and implementation of major legislation including
the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
the Americans with Disability Act and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Judy is an internationally recognized leader in the disability rights community. She served in the Clinton and Obama Administrations and was a Senior Fellow at the Ford Foundation.

Her recently released memoir called “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist,” was audio recorded by Ali Stroker who is the first wheelchair actor to perform on Broadway. Judy is also featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary film Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.

These days, among other things, Judy is the producer of The Heumann Perspective, a podcast and YouTube channel that aims to share the beauty of the disability community.

Connect with Judy:
Judy's Website: https://judithheumann.com/
Judy's Memoir: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/621090/being-heumann-by-judith-heumann/9780807002803/
Judy's Young Adult Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670588/rolling-warrior-by-judith-heumann/
Crip Camp: https://cripcamp.com/
Judy's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0CYpP8LB2wZ8vUM93DnINF
Social Media:
https://twitter.com/judithheumann
https://www.instagram.com/theheumannperspective/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-heumann-71b026122/
https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyHeumannTHP/videos

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2396accessibility,activist,ada,barrier,disability,disabled,future,intersectionality,legal,rights,wheelchairfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-21-chris-brock--45757653https://bit.ly/AIAe021

Today’s guest is Chris Brock. Chris is the Managing Attorney of Colorado Cross Disability Coalition’s Probate Power. Before that, Chris worked as a law clerk in Denver District Court and as a Dean's Fellow at the University of Colorado Law School.

He is admitted to the Colorado Bar and is a member of the Colorado and Arapahoe County Bar Associations, where he belongs to the Trust and Estate and Elder Law Sections. Chris focuses his practice in the areas of special needs planning, estate planning, and probate administration.

A paraplegic since college, Chris understands firsthand the issues that come with living with a disability. He now devotes his legal practice to ensuring families and individuals with disabilities carefully plan for the future.

Connect with Chris:
https://www.ccdcprobatepower.com/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45757653Wed, 21 Jul 2021 11:00:11 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe021 Today’s guest is Chris Brock. Chris is the Managing Attorney of Colorado Cross Disability Coalition’s Probate Power. Before that, Chris worked as a law clerk in Denver District Court and as a Dean's Fellow at the...https://bit.ly/AIAe021

Today’s guest is Chris Brock. Chris is the Managing Attorney of Colorado Cross Disability Coalition’s Probate Power. Before that, Chris worked as a law clerk in Denver District Court and as a Dean's Fellow at the University of Colorado Law School.

He is admitted to the Colorado Bar and is a member of the Colorado and Arapahoe County Bar Associations, where he belongs to the Trust and Estate and Elder Law Sections. Chris focuses his practice in the areas of special needs planning, estate planning, and probate administration.

A paraplegic since college, Chris understands firsthand the issues that come with living with a disability. He now devotes his legal practice to ensuring families and individuals with disabilities carefully plan for the future.

Connect with Chris:
https://www.ccdcprobatepower.com/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1705colorado,conservator,conservatorship,disability,disabled,guardian,guardianship,lawyer,legal,paraplegic,probatefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-20-caitlin-goerlich--45557011https://bit.ly/AIAe020

Today’s guest is Caitlin Goerlich. Caitlin is a contemporary romance writer whose debut novel, The Silent Summer, was published in May of 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on Creative Writing from Kean University.

At a young age, Caitlin was diagnosed with kyphoscoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature in the spine. Complications in surgery caused her to have a spinal cord injury and she became paraplegic.

When Caitlin is not writing, she is enjoying life by competing in adaptive sports, spending time with friends & family, recording videos for her YouTube channel. She is a motivational speaker and chairperson & board member of the Tri-State Wheelchair Athletic Association.

Connect with Caitlin:
www.caitlingoerlich.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheCGoerlich
Twitter: @CGoerlich
Instagram: @CGoerlich
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WriterCaitlinGoerlich
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/caitlingoerlich
TikTok: CGoerlich

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45557011Wed, 07 Jul 2021 11:00:17 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe020 Today’s guest is Caitlin Goerlich. Caitlin is a contemporary romance writer whose debut novel, The Silent Summer, was published in May of 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on Creative...https://bit.ly/AIAe020

Today’s guest is Caitlin Goerlich. Caitlin is a contemporary romance writer whose debut novel, The Silent Summer, was published in May of 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on Creative Writing from Kean University.

At a young age, Caitlin was diagnosed with kyphoscoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature in the spine. Complications in surgery caused her to have a spinal cord injury and she became paraplegic.

When Caitlin is not writing, she is enjoying life by competing in adaptive sports, spending time with friends & family, recording videos for her YouTube channel. She is a motivational speaker and chairperson & board member of the Tri-State Wheelchair Athletic Association.

Connect with Caitlin:
www.caitlingoerlich.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheCGoerlich
Twitter: @CGoerlich
Instagram: @CGoerlich
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WriterCaitlinGoerlich
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/caitlingoerlich
TikTok: CGoerlich

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2117adult,athlete,author,disability,disabled,diversity,inclusion,injury,spinal,wheelchair,woman,writer,youngfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-19-keri-gray--45249008https://bit.ly/AIAe019

Today’s guest is Keri Grey. As a child, Keri was diagnosed with bone cancer which resulted in an amputated leg.

Keri is the CEO and Founder of the Keri Gray Group, which centers on exploring the intersections of race, gender, and disability across the workplace. As a consultant, speaker, and facilitator, she works with companies and organizations, so they are prepared to leverage intersectionality as an organizational practice.

Keri is also the Founder and Executive Director of the National Alliance of Multicultural Disabled Advocates, which is a network of organizers across the country who invest in the livelihood and leadership of Black and Brown people with disabilities.

Through her various roles, Keri has recruited approximately 4,000 professionals for over 100 organizations and Fortune 500 companies. She has also designed and managed programs for over 1,000 professionals that has helped participants secure competitive employment, identify transferable skills, build an influential network, and gain notable opportunities.

Connect with Keri:
The Keri Grey Group: https://withkeri.com/
NAMD Advocates: https://withkeri.com/category/namd-advocates/
Keri's Email List: https://withkeri.com/email-list/
Social Media:
https://twitter.com/keri_gray
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keri-gray-7a33582b/
https://www.instagram.com/kerigray90/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45249008Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:00:04 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: https://bit.ly/AIAe019 Today’s guest is Keri Grey. As a child, Keri was diagnosed with bone cancer which resulted in an amputated leg. Keri is the CEO and Founder of the Keri Gray Group, which centers on exploring the intersections of...https://bit.ly/AIAe019

Today’s guest is Keri Grey. As a child, Keri was diagnosed with bone cancer which resulted in an amputated leg.

Keri is the CEO and Founder of the Keri Gray Group, which centers on exploring the intersections of race, gender, and disability across the workplace. As a consultant, speaker, and facilitator, she works with companies and organizations, so they are prepared to leverage intersectionality as an organizational practice.

Keri is also the Founder and Executive Director of the National Alliance of Multicultural Disabled Advocates, which is a network of organizers across the country who invest in the livelihood and leadership of Black and Brown people with disabilities.

Through her various roles, Keri has recruited approximately 4,000 professionals for over 100 organizations and Fortune 500 companies. She has also designed and managed programs for over 1,000 professionals that has helped participants secure competitive employment, identify transferable skills, build an influential network, and gain notable opportunities.

Connect with Keri:
The Keri Grey Group: https://withkeri.com/
NAMD Advocates: https://withkeri.com/category/namd-advocates/
Keri's Email List: https://withkeri.com/email-list/
Social Media:
https://twitter.com/keri_gray
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keri-gray-7a33582b/
https://www.instagram.com/kerigray90/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2948ada,bipoc,black,cancer,disability,disabled,diversity,equity,inclusion,race,rights,survivor,voting,womanfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-18-conor-o-meara-scott-applebaum--45005548http://bit.ly/AIAe018

Today's guests are Scott Applebaum and Connor O'Meara. Together, they host Conor's Corner, a radio show out of St. Paul, Minnesota, where they talk about sports, music, life, and whatever's on their minds. As an autistic person, it was Conor's dream to have his own radio show and he did it. Conor's joy for life has inspired many others to embrace their dreams and take a chance.

Connect with Conor:
https://twitter.com/conorscornerfr
https://www.facebook.com/ConorsCornerWFNU

Listen to Conor's Corner
https://www.frogtowntunedin.org/conors-corner
https://www.mixcloud.com/conorscorner/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45005548Wed, 26 May 2021 11:00:12 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe018 Today's guests are Scott Applebaum and Connor O'Meara. Together, they host Conor's Corner, a radio show out of St. Paul, Minnesota, where they talk about sports, music, life, and whatever's on their minds. As an...http://bit.ly/AIAe018

Today's guests are Scott Applebaum and Connor O'Meara. Together, they host Conor's Corner, a radio show out of St. Paul, Minnesota, where they talk about sports, music, life, and whatever's on their minds. As an autistic person, it was Conor's dream to have his own radio show and he did it. Conor's joy for life has inspired many others to embrace their dreams and take a chance.

Connect with Conor:
https://twitter.com/conorscornerfr
https://www.facebook.com/ConorsCornerWFNU

Listen to Conor's Corner
https://www.frogtowntunedin.org/conors-corner
https://www.mixcloud.com/conorscorner/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1774accessibility,autism,autistic,baseball,basketball,disabilities,disability,disabled,diversity,equity,hockey,inclusion,minnesota,radio,sportsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-17-oz-sanchez--44742758http://bit.ly/AIAe017

In this episode, we talk with Oscar "Oz" Sanchez. Sanchez grew up in Los Angeles and spent six years as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He became a part of the Special Forces unit, deploying twice to the Middle East. In 2001, while in the process of transferring to the Navy to become a Navy SEAL, Sanchez was involved in a motorcycle accident that injured his spinal cord. He started handcycling competitively five years after the accident. Today, he is one of the top handcyclists in the world.

Oz's website: https://www.knownolimits.com/index.html
Follow Oz on social media:
https://twitter.com/Oz_Sanchez
https://www.facebook.com/Sanchez.Oz
https://www.instagram.com/knlnation/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/44742758Wed, 12 May 2021 11:00:05 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe017 In this episode, we talk with Oscar "Oz" Sanchez. Sanchez grew up in Los Angeles and spent six years as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He became a part of the Special Forces unit, deploying twice to the Middle...http://bit.ly/AIAe017

In this episode, we talk with Oscar "Oz" Sanchez. Sanchez grew up in Los Angeles and spent six years as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He became a part of the Special Forces unit, deploying twice to the Middle East. In 2001, while in the process of transferring to the Navy to become a Navy SEAL, Sanchez was involved in a motorcycle accident that injured his spinal cord. He started handcycling competitively five years after the accident. Today, he is one of the top handcyclists in the world.

Oz's website: https://www.knownolimits.com/index.html
Follow Oz on social media:
https://twitter.com/Oz_Sanchez
https://www.facebook.com/Sanchez.Oz
https://www.instagram.com/knlnation/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2400accessibility,athlete,disability,disabled,identity,inclusion,injury,olympics,story,truefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-16-jim-abbott--42005412http://bit.ly/AIAe016

In this episode, we talk with Jim Abbott.

Jim Abbott was born September 19, 1967, in Flint, Michigan without a right hand. He was an All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987; was the pitcher for the Gold Medal Olympic Team in 1988; and threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees versus Cleveland (September 4, 1993). Jim played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams and ended his big league playing career in 1999.

Abbott has worked with The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) on several initiatives encouraging businesses to hire people with disabilities.

Today, in addition to often being a Guest Pitching Instructor during Spring Training for the Los Angeles Angels, Jim Abbott is a motivational speaker.

Jim's website: http://jimabbott.net/
Follow Jim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jabbottum3

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/42005412Wed, 18 Nov 2020 12:00:02 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe016 In this episode, we talk with Jim Abbott. Jim Abbott was born September 19, 1967, in Flint, Michigan without a right hand. He was an All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987; was the pitcher...http://bit.ly/AIAe016

In this episode, we talk with Jim Abbott.

Jim Abbott was born September 19, 1967, in Flint, Michigan without a right hand. He was an All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987; was the pitcher for the Gold Medal Olympic Team in 1988; and threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees versus Cleveland (September 4, 1993). Jim played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams and ended his big league playing career in 1999.

Abbott has worked with The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) on several initiatives encouraging businesses to hire people with disabilities.

Today, in addition to often being a Guest Pitching Instructor during Spring Training for the Los Angeles Angels, Jim Abbott is a motivational speaker.

Jim's website: http://jimabbott.net/
Follow Jim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jabbottum3

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1825accessibility,baseball,bias,coaching,disabilities,disability,employment,inclusion,mlb,pitcher,proball,sportsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-15-marla-runyan--41907087http://bit.ly/AIAe015

In this episode, we talk with Marla Runyan, who tells us about how she takes in the world by moving through it. Marla is an American track and field athlete, road runner and marathon runner who is legally blind.

In 2000, Marla Runyan became the first legally blind American track & field athlete to qualify and compete for the United States Olympic Team. A 5-time Paralympic Gold Medalist and holder of numerous world records among visually impaired athletes, Marla earned her status as one of America's top middle and long distance runners by winning three consecutive USATF National Championship titles at 5000 meters, and seven USATF Road Championship titles. Marla made her second Olympic Team in 2004, and was the USATF National Marathon Champion in 2006. To date, Marla remains the only visually impaired U.S. athlete to qualify and compete in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.

Marla's website: https://www.marlarunyan.net/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/41907087Wed, 11 Nov 2020 12:00:14 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe015 In this episode, we talk with Marla Runyan, who tells us about how she takes in the world by moving through it. Marla is an American track and field athlete, road runner and marathon runner who is legally blind. In...http://bit.ly/AIAe015

In this episode, we talk with Marla Runyan, who tells us about how she takes in the world by moving through it. Marla is an American track and field athlete, road runner and marathon runner who is legally blind.

In 2000, Marla Runyan became the first legally blind American track & field athlete to qualify and compete for the United States Olympic Team. A 5-time Paralympic Gold Medalist and holder of numerous world records among visually impaired athletes, Marla earned her status as one of America's top middle and long distance runners by winning three consecutive USATF National Championship titles at 5000 meters, and seven USATF Road Championship titles. Marla made her second Olympic Team in 2004, and was the USATF National Marathon Champion in 2006. To date, Marla remains the only visually impaired U.S. athlete to qualify and compete in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.

Marla's website: https://www.marlarunyan.net/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2912accessibility,ada,athlete,blind,champion,disabilities,disability,disabled,marathon,olympics,paralympics,runnerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-14-gail-hamilton--41329915http://bit.ly/AIAe014

In this episode, we talk with Gail Hamilton. Gail Hamilton is a highly acclaimed professional speaker, singer, musician, and author. She shares her message of bravery, empowerment, gratitude, and
positivity to audiences nationwide. Born ten weeks premature and weighing a mere 2.5 pounds, Gail Hamilton and her twin brother lived in separate incubators for six weeks with continual 100% pure oxygen. Though her twin was not affected, this high oxygen level damaged Gail’s eyes and left her with partial vision. It was during elementary school that her eyes developed cataracts; decreasing sight to total blindness. Becoming totally blind is when Gail’s imagination and inner vision took flight.

Gail's website: https://soaringintogreatness.com/
Connect with Gail on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/gail.hamilton.9231
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaillhamilton/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/41329915Wed, 07 Oct 2020 11:00:15 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe014 In this episode, we talk with Gail Hamilton. Gail Hamilton is a highly acclaimed professional speaker, singer, musician, and author. She shares her message of bravery, empowerment, gratitude, and positivity to...http://bit.ly/AIAe014

In this episode, we talk with Gail Hamilton. Gail Hamilton is a highly acclaimed professional speaker, singer, musician, and author. She shares her message of bravery, empowerment, gratitude, and
positivity to audiences nationwide. Born ten weeks premature and weighing a mere 2.5 pounds, Gail Hamilton and her twin brother lived in separate incubators for six weeks with continual 100% pure oxygen. Though her twin was not affected, this high oxygen level damaged Gail’s eyes and left her with partial vision. It was during elementary school that her eyes developed cataracts; decreasing sight to total blindness. Becoming totally blind is when Gail’s imagination and inner vision took flight.

Gail's website: https://soaringintogreatness.com/
Connect with Gail on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/gail.hamilton.9231
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaillhamilton/

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2431accessibility,blind,blindness,braille,disability,disabled,inspirationfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-13-arthur-renowitzky--40778372http://bit.ly/AIAe013

In this episode, we talk with Arthur Renowitzky. Arthur is the founder and executive director of the Life Goes On Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission to end senseless gun violence, spread spinal cord injury awareness and uplift our under-served youth. The foundation was founded after his injury in 2007, a gunshot wound to the chest led to a severe T3 complete spinal cord injury leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. The unknown assailant was never found. Arthur is also a member of the NWBA playing shooting guard for the Golden State Road Warriors wheelchair basketball team. Arthur doesn't stand alone, he is supported by his mother Michelle and two brothers Anthony and Andrew.

Life Goes On Foundation: https://www.lgof.org/
Connect with Arthur on social media:
https://twitter.com/AR510
https://www.facebook.com/Life-Goes-On-Foundation-200614006624525/
https://www.instagram.com/lifegoesonproject/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-goes-on-foundation

Listen to Arthur's Music:
youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_krZbSunKs5gcbhCB8toGkz-IalX9ZmmW4

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40778372Wed, 09 Sep 2020 11:00:16 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe013 In this episode, we talk with Arthur Renowitzky. Arthur is the founder and executive director of the Life Goes On Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission to end senseless gun violence, spread spinal...http://bit.ly/AIAe013

In this episode, we talk with Arthur Renowitzky. Arthur is the founder and executive director of the Life Goes On Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission to end senseless gun violence, spread spinal cord injury awareness and uplift our under-served youth. The foundation was founded after his injury in 2007, a gunshot wound to the chest led to a severe T3 complete spinal cord injury leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. The unknown assailant was never found. Arthur is also a member of the NWBA playing shooting guard for the Golden State Road Warriors wheelchair basketball team. Arthur doesn't stand alone, he is supported by his mother Michelle and two brothers Anthony and Andrew.

Life Goes On Foundation: https://www.lgof.org/
Connect with Arthur on social media:
https://twitter.com/AR510
https://www.facebook.com/Life-Goes-On-Foundation-200614006624525/
https://www.instagram.com/lifegoesonproject/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-goes-on-foundation

Listen to Arthur's Music:
youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_krZbSunKs5gcbhCB8toGkz-IalX9ZmmW4

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1864falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-12-haley-moss--25500712http://bit.ly/AIAe012
About Haley: https://haleymoss.net/
Connect with Haley on social media: @HaleyMossArt

Haley Moss is a South Florida native who was diagnosed with autism at age three. Upon receiving her autism diagnosis, her family was told that she would be fortunate to make a friend, graduate high school, or obtain her driver’s license.

Haley has defied the expectations set forth within her initial diagnosis.

Today, she is an attorney, author, artist, and autism advocate who writes and speaks publicly about her journey and gives hope for other autistic people and their families and friends.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/25500712Wed, 15 Apr 2020 11:00:05 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe012 About Haley: https://haleymoss.net/ Connect with Haley on social media: @HaleyMossArt Haley Moss is a South Florida native who was diagnosed with autism at age three. Upon receiving her autism diagnosis, her family...http://bit.ly/AIAe012
About Haley: https://haleymoss.net/
Connect with Haley on social media: @HaleyMossArt

Haley Moss is a South Florida native who was diagnosed with autism at age three. Upon receiving her autism diagnosis, her family was told that she would be fortunate to make a friend, graduate high school, or obtain her driver’s license.

Haley has defied the expectations set forth within her initial diagnosis.

Today, she is an attorney, author, artist, and autism advocate who writes and speaks publicly about her journey and gives hope for other autistic people and their families and friends.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1883ada,autism,disabilities,disability,law,lawyer,legal,neurodivergent,neurodiversity,schoolfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-11-john-register--23719160http://bit.ly/AIAe011
About John: https://johnregister.com/

Today’s Guest is John Register. John is a four-time All-American in track and field, a US Army Veteran and was named as a member of the 1996 Olympic Team as a hurdler. After John had a misstep during his Olympic Training, he went on to become a Paralympic Silver medalist in the 2000 Paralympic Games.

John uses his story as an inspirational speaker. He founded Inspired Communications and now spends his time traveling the world as an inspirational speaker. John joined the United States Olympic Committee in 2003 and developed the USOC Paralympic Military Program.

His leadership insights garnered him an appointment by the U.S. Secretary of State of Colin Powell, as one of eight members to advise the Secretary on Foreign policy issues regarding disability. He continued to serve under both Secretaries of State, Condoleeza Rice, and Hillary Clinton.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/23719160Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:00:03 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe011 About John: https://johnregister.com/ Today’s Guest is John Register. John is a four-time All-American in track and field, a US Army Veteran and was named as a member of the 1996 Olympic Team as a hurdler. After John...http://bit.ly/AIAe011
About John: https://johnregister.com/

Today’s Guest is John Register. John is a four-time All-American in track and field, a US Army Veteran and was named as a member of the 1996 Olympic Team as a hurdler. After John had a misstep during his Olympic Training, he went on to become a Paralympic Silver medalist in the 2000 Paralympic Games.

John uses his story as an inspirational speaker. He founded Inspired Communications and now spends his time traveling the world as an inspirational speaker. John joined the United States Olympic Committee in 2003 and developed the USOC Paralympic Military Program.

His leadership insights garnered him an appointment by the U.S. Secretary of State of Colin Powell, as one of eight members to advise the Secretary on Foreign policy issues regarding disability. He continued to serve under both Secretaries of State, Condoleeza Rice, and Hillary Clinton.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2000ada,amputee,athlete,disability,disabled,law,legal,olympics,paralympicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-10-senator-tammy-duckworth--23446177http://bit.ly/AIAe010
About Tammy: https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/

In this special episode, we talk with Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth about her perspective on the Americans with Disabilities Act and what the 30th anniversary means to her. She shares her advise on how to support full implementation of the ADA and what she thought of the law before acquiring a disability.

Senator Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient. She was the former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She was the first disabled woman elected into Congress in 2012, and in 2016 she was elected to the U.S. Senate, where she was the first female disabled senator. In addition, she became the first female senator to give birth while in office. In addition to the many issues for which Senator Duckworth fights, she's a strong supporter of civil rights for all Americans and is committed to advancing policies to protect Americans in all areas of society.

Recently she took on Amtrak, after the transportation company sought to charge two passengers an extraordinate amount of money to accommodate their wheelchairs on a one-way train ride. She also backed the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act, which included many disability focused provisions on the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. Her major contribution was a new rule requiring airlines to report information on the number of checked bags, wheelchairs, and motorized scooters they damage each month.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/23446177Wed, 04 Mar 2020 12:00:12 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe010 About Tammy: https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/ In this special episode, we talk with Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth about her perspective on the Americans with Disabilities Act and what the 30th anniversary means...http://bit.ly/AIAe010
About Tammy: https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/

In this special episode, we talk with Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth about her perspective on the Americans with Disabilities Act and what the 30th anniversary means to her. She shares her advise on how to support full implementation of the ADA and what she thought of the law before acquiring a disability.

Senator Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient. She was the former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She was the first disabled woman elected into Congress in 2012, and in 2016 she was elected to the U.S. Senate, where she was the first female disabled senator. In addition, she became the first female senator to give birth while in office. In addition to the many issues for which Senator Duckworth fights, she's a strong supporter of civil rights for all Americans and is committed to advancing policies to protect Americans in all areas of society.

Recently she took on Amtrak, after the transportation company sought to charge two passengers an extraordinate amount of money to accommodate their wheelchairs on a one-way train ride. She also backed the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act, which included many disability focused provisions on the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. Her major contribution was a new rule requiring airlines to report information on the number of checked bags, wheelchairs, and motorized scooters they damage each month.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>496ada,disability,disabled,law,legal,politics,senate,veteranfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-09-maria-town--21887864http://bit.ly/AIAe009
About Maria: https://www.aapd.com/about/maria-town/
Connect with Maria on Twitter @Maria_M_Town and Instagram @Maria_Town

This episode, we talk with Maria Town, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities or AAPD. Maria has previously served as the director of the City of Houston's Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, where she advocated for the rights and needs of citizens with disabilities. Maria is also the former senior associate director in the Obama White House Office of Public Engagement and she also served as an advisor at the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/21887864Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:00:15 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe009 About Maria: https://www.aapd.com/about/maria-town/ Connect with Maria on Twitter @Maria_M_Town and Instagram @Maria_Town This episode, we talk with Maria Town, President and CEO of the American Association of People...http://bit.ly/AIAe009
About Maria: https://www.aapd.com/about/maria-town/
Connect with Maria on Twitter @Maria_M_Town and Instagram @Maria_Town

This episode, we talk with Maria Town, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities or AAPD. Maria has previously served as the director of the City of Houston's Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, where she advocated for the rights and needs of citizens with disabilities. Maria is also the former senior associate director in the Obama White House Office of Public Engagement and she also served as an advisor at the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1921aapd,ada,cp,disabilities,disability,fashion,policy,shoesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-08-belo-cipriani--20828760http://bit.ly/AIAe008
Belo's website: https://belocipriani.com/

This week's guest is Belo Cipriani Ed.D. After an attack in 2007 left him blind, Belo had to rediscover his life's purpose. Today, Belo is a media entrepreneur, an award-winning author, a prize-winning journalist, and a teacher, nationally recognized for his contributions to the advocacy, employment diversity, and disability fields. He is the CEO and founder of Oleb Media – an ADA compliance firm – and the publishing house Oleb Books. He has served as an accessibility and recruiting consultant for Fortune 100 companies, including Apple, Google, Toyota, Facebook, and Wells Fargo, among others.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/20828760Wed, 18 Dec 2019 12:00:17 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe008 Belo's website: https://belocipriani.com/ This week's guest is Belo Cipriani Ed.D. After an attack in 2007 left him blind, Belo had to rediscover his life's purpose. Today, Belo is a media entrepreneur, an...http://bit.ly/AIAe008
Belo's website: https://belocipriani.com/

This week's guest is Belo Cipriani Ed.D. After an attack in 2007 left him blind, Belo had to rediscover his life's purpose. Today, Belo is a media entrepreneur, an award-winning author, a prize-winning journalist, and a teacher, nationally recognized for his contributions to the advocacy, employment diversity, and disability fields. He is the CEO and founder of Oleb Media – an ADA compliance firm – and the publishing house Oleb Books. He has served as an accessibility and recruiting consultant for Fortune 100 companies, including Apple, Google, Toyota, Facebook, and Wells Fargo, among others.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1841accessibility,blind,digital,disability,law,legal,lgbtq,rightsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-07-kayla-mckeon--19312686http://bit.ly/AIAe007
Kayla's website: http://kaylamckeon.com
Kayla's Korner podcast: https://soundcloud.com/national-down-syndrome-society-org
Kayla's social media:
https://www.facebook.com/kayla.mckeon.7
https://www.instagram.com/mckeonkay
https://twitter.com/kaylaMckeon2

This week's guest is Kayla McKeon. She's a motivational speaker, Special Olympics champion and the first registered lobbyist with Down Syndrome. She works at the National Down Syndrome Society as a Manager of Grassroots Advocacy.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/19312686Wed, 02 Oct 2019 11:00:07 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIAe007 Kayla's website: http://kaylamckeon.com Kayla's Korner podcast: https://soundcloud.com/national-down-syndrome-society-org Kayla's social media: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.mckeon.7...http://bit.ly/AIAe007
Kayla's website: http://kaylamckeon.com
Kayla's Korner podcast: https://soundcloud.com/national-down-syndrome-society-org
Kayla's social media:
https://www.facebook.com/kayla.mckeon.7
https://www.instagram.com/mckeonkay
https://twitter.com/kaylaMckeon2

This week's guest is Kayla McKeon. She's a motivational speaker, Special Olympics champion and the first registered lobbyist with Down Syndrome. She works at the National Down Syndrome Society as a Manager of Grassroots Advocacy.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1568disability,downsyndrome,legal,lobbyist,olympicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-06-monica-thomas--19217224http://bit.ly/AIA006
Monica's website: https://monicaenglethomas.com/
Follow Monica on Instagram @monicaenglethomas

This week's guest is Monica Thomas: social media influencer, writer and librarian, living in a small town in Indiana. Monica writes nonfiction pieces about her life with a progressive disability.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/19217224Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:00:04 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIA006 Monica's website: https://monicaenglethomas.com/ Follow Monica on Instagram @monicaenglethomas This week's guest is Monica Thomas: social media influencer, writer and librarian, living in a small town in Indiana....http://bit.ly/AIA006
Monica's website: https://monicaenglethomas.com/
Follow Monica on Instagram @monicaenglethomas

This week's guest is Monica Thomas: social media influencer, writer and librarian, living in a small town in Indiana. Monica writes nonfiction pieces about her life with a progressive disability.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1714disability,indiana,influencer,instagram,librarian,lifestyle,model,social,writerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-05-steve-way--19130531http://bit.ly/AIA005
Steves' website: TheSteveWay.com
Hulu's show Ramy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7649694/


This week's guest is Steve Way! Steve is a 28 year-old substitute teacher by day and a stand-up comedian by night. He was born with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy and is an advocate for disability awareness. You can also catch Steve guest starring on the Hulu show Ramy.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/19130531Wed, 18 Sep 2019 11:00:09 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIA005 Steves' website: TheSteveWay.com Hulu's show Ramy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7649694/ This week's guest is Steve Way! Steve is a 28 year-old substitute teacher by day and a stand-up comedian by night. He was born...http://bit.ly/AIA005
Steves' website: TheSteveWay.com
Hulu's show Ramy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7649694/


This week's guest is Steve Way! Steve is a 28 year-old substitute teacher by day and a stand-up comedian by night. He was born with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy and is an advocate for disability awareness. You can also catch Steve guest starring on the Hulu show Ramy.

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>1539advocate,comedy,disability,hulu,improv,ramy,representation,teacher,ullrichfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-04-yomi-wrong--19059259http://bit.ly/AIA004
Los Angeles Times - All Systems Go: https://lat.ms/2m2llgS

On this episode, Dana talks with Yomi Wrong. Yomi is a leader in the field of healthcare and disability access and she writes the All Systems Go column on disability and travel for the Los Angeles Times. Yomi was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. She shares her thoughts on symbolic annihilation, inspiration-porn, "ADA babies" and so much more!

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/19059259Wed, 11 Sep 2019 11:00:16 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIA004 Los Angeles Times - All Systems Go: https://lat.ms/2m2llgS On this episode, Dana talks with Yomi Wrong. Yomi is a leader in the field of healthcare and disability access and she writes the All Systems Go column on...http://bit.ly/AIA004
Los Angeles Times - All Systems Go: https://lat.ms/2m2llgS

On this episode, Dana talks with Yomi Wrong. Yomi is a leader in the field of healthcare and disability access and she writes the All Systems Go column on disability and travel for the Los Angeles Times. Yomi was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. She shares her thoughts on symbolic annihilation, inspiration-porn, "ADA babies" and so much more!

Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2210access,accessibility,disability,travel,wheelchairsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-03-lydia-xz-brown--18990563http://bit.ly/AIA003
Lydia's website: https://autistichoya.net/
"All the Weight of Our Dreams" anthology: https://autismandrace.com/
Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN): https://awnnetwork.org/
On this episode, Dana talks with Lydia XZ Brown, an Asian American autistic disability rights activist, writer, and public speaker. Lydia’s advocacy work focuses on violence against multiply-marginalized disabled people. Dana and Lydia discuss ableism, implicit bias, justice-focused advocacy, person-first vs. identity-first language and more.
Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/18990563Wed, 04 Sep 2019 11:00:12 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterTranscript: http://bit.ly/AIA003 Lydia's website: https://autistichoya.net/ "All the Weight of Our Dreams" anthology: https://autismandrace.com/ Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN): https://awnnetwork.org/ On this episode, Dana talks with Lydia...http://bit.ly/AIA003
Lydia's website: https://autistichoya.net/
"All the Weight of Our Dreams" anthology: https://autismandrace.com/
Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN): https://awnnetwork.org/
On this episode, Dana talks with Lydia XZ Brown, an Asian American autistic disability rights activist, writer, and public speaker. Lydia’s advocacy work focuses on violence against multiply-marginalized disabled people. Dana and Lydia discuss ableism, implicit bias, justice-focused advocacy, person-first vs. identity-first language and more.
Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2329ableism,access,advocacy,bias,disability,diversity,inclusion,justice,rightsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-02-chris-finn--18930929http://bit.ly/AIA002. In this episode, Dana talks to Chris Finn, who, at age 21, became quadriplegic as the result of an accidental fall. Chris had previously been an athlete who loved soccer. After his injury, he had to adjust to life as a wheelchair user and find a new outlet for his competitive spirit. He discovered power soccer and helped to develop the National Association and the International Federation of Power Soccer. Then he became the head coach of the US National Power Soccer Team. His teams won the 2007 and 2011 Power Chair Football World Cup competition, and his current club team has won the national championship for 2014 and 2017. Visit Chris' website: http://chrisfinn.com/
Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/18930929Wed, 28 Aug 2019 11:00:15 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterEpisode transcript: http://bit.ly/AIA002. In this episode, Dana talks to Chris Finn, who, at age 21, became quadriplegic as the result of an accidental fall. Chris had previously been an athlete who loved soccer. After his injury, he had to adjust to...http://bit.ly/AIA002. In this episode, Dana talks to Chris Finn, who, at age 21, became quadriplegic as the result of an accidental fall. Chris had previously been an athlete who loved soccer. After his injury, he had to adjust to life as a wheelchair user and find a new outlet for his competitive spirit. He discovered power soccer and helped to develop the National Association and the International Federation of Power Soccer. Then he became the head coach of the US National Power Soccer Team. His teams won the 2007 and 2011 Power Chair Football World Cup competition, and his current club team has won the national championship for 2014 and 2017. Visit Chris' website: http://chrisfinn.com/
Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>2809accessibility,achieve,believe,disability,hope,injury,quadriplegiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-01-haben-girma--18836487Buy Haben's book: https://amzn.to/2NibUFU
Visit us at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
View episode transcript: http://bit.ly/AIA001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/18836487Wed, 21 Aug 2019 11:00:15 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterDana interviews Haben Girma, the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School. Today, Haben advocates for equal opportunities for people with disabilities. President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change, she received the...Buy Haben's book: https://amzn.to/2NibUFU
Visit us at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!
View episode transcript: http://bit.ly/AIA001]]>1688accessibility,adventure,deafblind,disabilities,disability,habengirma,inclusionfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/introducing-adventures-in-accessibility--18622198http://bit.ly/AIA00. Visit us at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/18622198Tue, 23 Jul 2019 16:24:13 +0000Rocky Mountain ADA CenterA new podcast from the Rocky Mountain ADA Center! View episode transcript: http://bit.ly/AIA00. Visit us at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or...http://bit.ly/AIA00. Visit us at https://rockymountainada.org/ or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcasts!]]>162access,accessibility,disabilities,disability,disabled,inclusionfalsefull