Ability Radio

Coach Kie Ransom Mahler shares her lifelong journey as a swimmer and instructor, the importance of Black representation in aquatic education, and how swimming can boost brain development and confidence. She explains practical water-safety tips, the silent nature of drowning, local lifeguard resources, and community challenges like water quality and marine protection.

Learn about adaptive classes for children with sensory needs, how to contact Kai ([email protected] or Kie Kai Aquatics on Facebook), and where lessons are offered on St. Croix.

In this episode of Ability Radio, Dr. Julia Sheen, Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence, discusses the rising diabetes rates in the territory, prevention strategies, community outreach, and the Center’s services including mobile screenings, nutrition classes, medication management, pediatric care, and telemedicine.

She emphasizes cultural factors, the importance of regular testing, family awareness, healthy eating, daily physical activity, and how the Center supports patients with education, treatment, and transportation to improve outcomes. Home - VI Diabetes Center of Excellence

You are listening to Ability Radio with Amelia Headley Lamont and guests Angus Drigo, Kishma Francis, and Archie Jennings of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. They outline 2026 priorities for DRCVI and the VI Parent Training Institute (VIPTI), one of nearly 100 parent training and information centers in the United States. The plans include teen mental health initiatives, youth empowerment, IEP and 504 trainings, anti-bullying and art therapy programs, DARRI's Book Club, and more! The team also talks about DRCVI's affiliation with the Northeast ADA Center and upcoming collaborations with local organizations. 

In this episode, Amelia Headly-LaMont speaks with Monique Bute, Director of the Virgin Islands Association for Independent Living (Center for Independent Living), about the independent living movement and the center’s mission to promote civil rights and independence for people with disabilities.

They outline the center’s five core services—advocacy, independent living skills training, information and referrals, peer support/peer counseling/mentorship, and transition services from school or institutions—give real examples of peer support and accessible accommodations and emphasize person-first language and equal access.

Services are generally free; the center hosts regular mutual-aid MASH meetings and welcomes volunteers. Contact: St. Thomas 340-777-4978, St. Croix 340-778-7992, email [email protected], website independentlivingvi.org.

Hosts Amelia Headley-Lamont and guests Angus Drigo (Executive Director), Archie Jennings (Assistant Executive & Litigation Director), and Kishma Francis (Project Director) recap the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands’ work in 2025. The episode covers the center’s advocacy mission, ADA enforcement, monitoring visits, the mental health consent decree, employment initiatives, and community projects such as a little library and a hygiene program serving about 2,000 people.

Listeners hear about partnerships with local organizations, the State Rehab Council’s inclusive employment needs assessment, and youth and family-focused programs from the Parent Training and Information Center. The conversation highlights challenges, legal work, outreach, and plans for continuing community engagement in 2026.

Host Amelia Headly Lamont interviews Rebekah Kubla, communications manager at the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, about her role since joining in 2023.

They discuss social media algorithms and media bias, the power of plain language, recent advances in sign language access, and how AI and assistive technologies can both improve accessibility and raise privacy concerns. 

Amelia Headly Lamont interviews Rudean Leinaeng, a chemist, college professor, and author, about her life in science, her teaching and research (including work on lead in Bronx Zoo animals), and a film her son is making, "My Mother, the Scientist," to inspire more people of color to enter STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

They also discuss Rudean’s writing, including the novella "Cousin’s Sister" about an enslaved healer and "Coal, War, and Love," which describes her grandfather’s experiences with the Harlem Hellfighters. She also speaks about her years living with her husband in South Africa and her perspective on science, healing, and history.

Host Amelia Headley LaMont interviews Yvonne Petersen, Executive Director of Beyond Visions Foundation, about her decades of nonprofit leadership, grant writing and training, and efforts to build local capacity across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

They discuss practical tips for aligning missions with funders, preparing competitive grant applications, the importance of collaboration, and special education approaches (including IEPs and lessons from Finland). Beyond Visions Foundation is located on both St. Thomas and Croix, and their phone number is (340)-714-2830. 

Archie Jennings and Shammi Carr discuss National Disability Employment Awareness Month, explaining employer-focused resources such as ODEP, JAN, EARN, and EEOC guidance on reasonable accommodation and return-to-work strategies.

They also outline services for job seekers and beneficiaries — Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor, Ticket to Work, Island Therapy Solutions, and My Brother’s Workshop — and share how DRCVI supports employers and employees in the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information contact DRCVI or visit drcvi.org.

This episode features Cancer Support VI's Barb Michaud (President/CEO), Anna Holley (Director of Operations), and patient advocate Anique Harrigan discussing Pinktober awareness events, community outreach, volunteer efforts, and how listeners can get help or get involved. For assistance, contact the patient advocate at 340-514-8647 or visit cancersupportvi.org.

Over 450 new cancer cases are diagnosed in the U.S. Virgin Islands each year, and more than 30% of residents lack medical insurance, creating heavy financial and emotional burdens. Cancer Support VI provides rapid financial grants and local resources to help patients access care—$2,500 for insured patients, $4,000 for Medicaid recipients, and $5,000 for uninsured individuals—with 100% of local donations used to support territory residents.