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The Rachel Shandler Interview
Rachel Shandler of SPAN Parent Advocacy Network joins Unstoppable Futures to discuss disability advocacy, healthcare transition, and self‑advocacy. Rachel shares her journey with cerebral palsy and offers real‑world insight on navigating systems, employment, community resources, and never giving up on adulthood goals.
💬 What’s one takeaway from Rachel’s story that inspired you?
🔗 Resources
Healthcare Transition to Adult Care for Youth with Disabilities: https://movingtoadulthealthcare.org
Contact Rachel Shandler: [email protected]
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network: https://spanadvocacy.org
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & welcome
00:09 – Meet Rachel Shandler
00:42 – What is healthcare transition?
01:39 – Youth advisory groups & creating resources
02:17 – Why healthcare transition is often overlooked
03:06 – Growing up with strong family support
04:46 – School, expectations & inclusion
07:23 – Job searching with a disability
09:06 – Career goals & graduate school reflections
10:19 – Volunteering as a pathway to employment
11:48 – Vocational rehabilitation: tips & lessons
14:28 – Disability services in college
15:06 – Turning volunteering into a job
16:49 – Treating volunteering like a real job
17:44 – From Center for Independent Living to SPAN
18:52 – Advocacy, leadership & legislative work
20:06 – Discovering parent centers & SPAN
22:07 – Learning through lived experience
23:06 – Finding resources & self‑advocacy
26:12 – Wishing for earlier access to supports
27:01 – Youth engagement & peer support work
28:42 – Advice for overwhelmed youth & families
30:53 – Advice to her younger self
33:20 – Key takeaway message
35:05 – Where to find SPAN & healthcare transition resources
35:55 – Final thoughts & sign‑off
🎧 Subscribe to Unstoppable Futures
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ripin_ri
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2uXTyhLM4da4XankkJYaUY?si=4ab9a10a02be4bbc
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unstoppable-futures/id1800815075
RSS Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/10d3602f0/podcast/rss
📩 Have a suggestion or comment? Email: [email protected]
🔗 Follow RIPIN
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ripin_ri
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RIPIN.ORG/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripin_ri/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ripin_ri
📧 Contact RIPIN: [email protected]
View all episodes
By RIPINRachel Shandler of SPAN Parent Advocacy Network joins Unstoppable Futures to discuss disability advocacy, healthcare transition, and self‑advocacy. Rachel shares her journey with cerebral palsy and offers real‑world insight on navigating systems, employment, community resources, and never giving up on adulthood goals.
💬 What’s one takeaway from Rachel’s story that inspired you?
🔗 Resources
Healthcare Transition to Adult Care for Youth with Disabilities: https://movingtoadulthealthcare.org
Contact Rachel Shandler: [email protected]
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network: https://spanadvocacy.org
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & welcome
00:09 – Meet Rachel Shandler
00:42 – What is healthcare transition?
01:39 – Youth advisory groups & creating resources
02:17 – Why healthcare transition is often overlooked
03:06 – Growing up with strong family support
04:46 – School, expectations & inclusion
07:23 – Job searching with a disability
09:06 – Career goals & graduate school reflections
10:19 – Volunteering as a pathway to employment
11:48 – Vocational rehabilitation: tips & lessons
14:28 – Disability services in college
15:06 – Turning volunteering into a job
16:49 – Treating volunteering like a real job
17:44 – From Center for Independent Living to SPAN
18:52 – Advocacy, leadership & legislative work
20:06 – Discovering parent centers & SPAN
22:07 – Learning through lived experience
23:06 – Finding resources & self‑advocacy
26:12 – Wishing for earlier access to supports
27:01 – Youth engagement & peer support work
28:42 – Advice for overwhelmed youth & families
30:53 – Advice to her younger self
33:20 – Key takeaway message
35:05 – Where to find SPAN & healthcare transition resources
35:55 – Final thoughts & sign‑off
🎧 Subscribe to Unstoppable Futures
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ripin_ri
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2uXTyhLM4da4XankkJYaUY?si=4ab9a10a02be4bbc
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unstoppable-futures/id1800815075
RSS Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/10d3602f0/podcast/rss
📩 Have a suggestion or comment? Email: [email protected]
🔗 Follow RIPIN
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ripin_ri
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RIPIN.ORG/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripin_ri/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ripin_ri
📧 Contact RIPIN: [email protected]