What's Your Y? Sharing stories beyond disability.

YAI's Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Joshua Trinidad, interviews Ariel Smart, a Special Education Teacher at our affiliate school, Manhattan Star Academy. Find out how Smart got started in the I/DD field and how she's brought representation to the forefront at the school.

In this final episode of this first season of YAI's podcast, Kamana Shrestha, YAI's Media Relations Manager, speaks with Evelyn Medera a Behavior Intervention Specialist Coordinator in Queens New York, about the coronavirus vaccine. 

When the vaccine became available to YAI staff, Medera’s first reaction was “no.” She shares about her cultural background and why it was hard for her to overcome her skepticism. 

Despite Medera's initial hesitation, conversations with friends, family, and colleagues made her change her mind and her perspective. Find out how she overcame her concerns and what ultimately helped her decide to get vaccinated. 

Today, Kamana Shrestha, YAI’s Media Relations Manager, speaks with Derreck Johnson, a Behavioral Intervention Specialist in Queens, about the coronavirus vaccine. Together they’ll uncover some of the cultural resistance to the vaccine as Derreck gets candid with Kamana about his hesitation and ultimate decision.

Please join us as Kamana Shrestha, YAI's Media Relations Manager, engages in an important conversation with Regional Director of The Bronx Yvonne Patrick about leading YAI through the pandemic and the power of covid-19 vaccinations. 

Learn more at www.yai.org