October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In this episode of the You First podcast, we wanted to bring some awareness to a group right here in Florida that created some amazing resources to help people with disabilities find and keep quality employment. To talk much more about that are my guests: Danielle McGill, the founder of Empower Possibilities and a disability consultant, advocate, and public speaker; and Wendy Vance, an Advocate-Investigator at Disability Rights Florida. Resources:  A copy of the white paper will be posted soon on the  Employment First Florida website.  The presentation, Looking Beyond the Pandemic: Ways to Facilitate Growth and Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Seeking or Retaining Employment, will be posted soon on the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities website. 

Episode 31: Finding and Keeping Quality Employment

You First is a bi-weekly interview-based podcast hosted by Keith Casebonne and Maddie Crowley. In each episode, we delve into issues of national and global importance to people with disabilities, such as accessibility, identity, discrimination, rights protections, voting, and much more.

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Personal Journals

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Philosophy

Places & Travel

In this episode of You First, co-hosts Keith and Maddie speak with Indigenous activist and disability rights leader Vesper Moore about the Mad Movement, psychiatric survivorship, and envisioning a future of collective care. Vesper, deeply involved in mental health and disability rights activism, discusses their work in altering perceptions and legislation surrounding mental health both nationally and with international bodies. The conversation delves into the history of psychiatric survivor movements, the problematic nature of involuntary commitment, and the importance of community care over institutional care. Moore emphasizes the power of peer support and shares insights into the Kiva Centers, a peer respite group that offers an alternative to traditional psychiatric institutions. Furthermore, Vesper touches on their advocacy work against re-institutionalization and for more humane, community-focused approaches to mental health care, advocating for dialogue and solidarity within the disability rights movements. The episode concludes with a call for comprehensive community support systems and the significant role of peer-led initiatives in transforming mental health care.  Content Warning: This conversation includes instances of ableism, saneism, racism, involuntary incarceration, and mentions violence against BIPOC, disabled people, and houseless folks. Discretion is advised. Relevant Links:   Vesper Moore’s website: https://bit.ly/4aG6VpE  Bethlem/Bedlem Hospital: https://bit.ly/49m8Bnp  Lunatics' Friend Society: https://bit.ly/4aGxzPu  Rusk State Hospital Revolt: https://bit.ly/43IIzcQ  Drapetomania (YouTube video): https://bit.ly/4aFSP7P  Hiawatha Insane Asylum: https://bit.ly/43IIENG  Taíno people: https://on.natgeo.com/49mEs7h  Kiva Centers: https://bit.ly/49mEvQv  CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets): https://bit.ly/43JA1Co  Bandelier National Monument Kivas: https://bit.ly/43HCWf1  

Episode 65: History of the Mad Movement

In today's episode, we are joined by two international disability advocates, Rosangela Berman Bieler and Patricia Almeida. During our conversation, we discuss the importance and impact of global disability policy and rights work, including their work with the UN and UNICEF. They also discuss how other countries compare to the US regarding disability progress and inclusion, global accessibility initiatives, and the need for continued fighting for disability rights. Relevant Links    Disabled People's International for the Latin American Council  The Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment (GADIM)  Shutterstock Collaboration with GADIM   Simple as This Easy language Guide by Patricia Almeida  Dom Evans & FilmDis   United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD)  United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child  UNICEF Programme Children with Disabilities  World Bank Disability  I Protect Myself   The Zero Project  Inter-American Institute on Disability and Inclusive Development  UN Down syndrome day Brazilian Soap Opera “Pages of Life” and Cladine, actor with disability  

Episode 64: Global Disability Progress

In this week's episode, co-hosts Keith and Maddie talk with The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies' Co-Directors Shaylin Sluzalis & Germán Parodi. The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) is the only U.S. disability-led, 501(c)(3) organization that prioritizes equity, access, disability rights, disability justice, and full inclusion of people with disabilities, older adults, and people with access and functional needs before, during and after disasters and emergencies. We chat about how their work started, how Floridians with disabilities can stay safe during hurricanes, how other emergencies disproportionately impact disabled people, and resources to take precautions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and flu season. Relevant resources:  The Partnership’s website: https://bit.ly/3uUvobE  Disaster hotline: https://bit.ly/48y9b0Y 800-626-4959 Hotline@disasterstrategies.org  Weekly stakeholder call and events: https://bit.ly/3ImOryI  The Partnership’s resources, including your rights during a disaster: https://bit.ly/49SXGCk  Local weather alerts: https://bit.ly/3wxqj9E  Having a plan & emergency kit list: https://bit.ly/3eTEXgh  Find your local emergency management office and resources: https://bit.ly/49WBGqg  Special Needs Registry Shelter: https://bit.ly/3IjgW07  Disability Information and Access Line: https://bit.ly/3Ij5dPd  or by phone 888-677-1199 Find your local Center for Independent Living: https://bit.ly/48D0S3N  DRF vaccine clinics: https://bit.ly/3qVCve6  DRF vaccine assistance: https://bit.ly/3kAlqo2  Masking bloc – local support groups, free masks, guidance, etc.: https://bit.ly/3uWBSXz  

Episode 63: Inclusive Disaster & Emergency Strategies

In this episode of You First, we talk with Jen White Johnson (she/they), a renowned artist, educator, and disability activist who uses the arts as a medium to champion the life, joy, and experiences of the disabled and neurodivergent community. Jen discusses their journey as someone diagnosed with ADHD later in life, the barriers for disabled Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to getting a diagnosis, and the impact of their son being diagnosed with autism. They talk about the need for more disabled BIPOC representation in visual media, their efforts to bring disabled artists to the forefront, and how they work to deconstruct ableism in the classroom. Jen discusses their artwork that celebrates Disability Justice and celebrates Disability Joy through visual arts, digital design, zine-making, installations, and more. Episode 62 Relevant links mentioned:   Jen’s website Disrupt and Resist Exhibition  Critical Design Lab Disability Solidarity Statement  An Anthology of Blackness: The State of Black Design Disability Justice Culture Club   Anti-Ableist Art Educator Manifesto Homie House Press  Disability Visibility Krip Hop Nation Sins Invalid   Jen's Zine Workshops Black Feminist Future Collective 

Episode 62: Disability Activism Through Art

Two Disability Rights Florida education advocates, April Katine and Daysi Ortiz, join Keith in education planning for students with disabilities. The three discuss the importance of individual education plans (IEPs) and transition planning and offer tips on how parents can more effectively find success throughout the process. Tune in to learn about the various services available under IEP, how to prepare for IEP meetings, the significance of periodic re-evaluations, the importance of maintaining written records, and how to best collaborate with your child's IEP team. Relevant links:   Transition site   Education section of our website Find your P&A; (if out of state) Florida Vocational Rehabilitation Florida Agency for People with Disabilities Florida Division of Blind Services Family Network on Disabilities The Family Cafe  Blogs on education Previous podcast episodes 

Episode 31: Finding and Keeping Quality Employment

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