Category: Disability Advocacy

Episode 24: Phoebe Chestna and Ben Wimett

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In this episode, occupational therapist Phoebe Chestna interviews Ben Wimett.

Ben is a lifelong Vermonter, living down in Brandon, Vermont, with his dog, Pepper. Ben also has cerebral palsy, and works as an assistive technology provider with the Vermont Assistive Technology Project. And Ben’s here to share his stories of navigating Vermont schools (and snowbanks!), how power wheelchairs have changed over the years, and his advice to children with disabilities — and their parents. “The biggest advice I can give you is that if something happens, it’s not your fault. The biggest thing I can tell you is deal with the cards that you’re dealt. And I think the way my family did that is, yeah, I had to do things differently, but if I wanted to do something, we did it.”

Episode 23: Emerson Wheeler and Jan H.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:34 — 123.7MB)

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https://cdci.w3.uvm.edu/blog/cdciresources/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/Episode-23-Jan-and-Emerson-audio-with-bumpers.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:34 — 123.7MB)Get new episodes by email RSSJan H. lives in Southern…

Episode 21: Michele Streeter

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In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Michele Streeter to the show, to talk with show producer Audrey Homan. Michele Streeter is mom to Ocean and April Streeter, two siblings you met in Episode 20. Michele talks about what it’s been like to provide support and guidance for a child with a disability as they navigate the transition to adulthood, post-secondary education, and independent living.

Michele Streeter is also a Family Resource Consultant for the Vermont I-Team.

Episode 17: Winnie Looby & Nicole Villemaire

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Dr. Winnie Looby, director of the UVM Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies, connects with disability self-advocate and researcher Nicole Villemaire. Nicole has been working in Dr. Looby’s Disability Studies courses as a teaching assistant, and she shares what that experience has been like, along with more of her own story as a passionate self-advocate.

Episode 14: Adrienne Miao & Michael Shor

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In this episode of our podcast, CDCI Community Services Coordinator Adrienne Miao connects with Michael Shor. Shor is an autistic psychologist, an advocate for people with autism, and a member of the CDCI Community Advisory Council.

Episode 11: on ableism in medical training

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In this episode of the podcast, we welcome medical student Elizabeth “Biz” Barker, and Dr. Melissa Houser, who is also the executive director of the non-profit All Brains Belong VT. Dr. Houser also sits on the CDCI Community Advisory Council.

Both physicians identify as having a disability, and Dr. Houser also has a family member with a disability. They’re here to talk about ableism in the medical system, and how it begins in medical school: how we expect learners to perform as they learn medicine has a huge impact on keeping ableism going in healthcare.

Episode 10: Jesse C. Suter and Michael F. Giangreco

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On this episode of the podcast, CDCI Executive Director Jesse Suter is joined by UVM University of Vermont Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Education Michael F. Giangreco.

Giangreco shares memories, observations, and advice from his more than 30 years of service at CDCI. Dr. Giangreco is a widely published and respected innovator in the field of special education, as well as being the author of the much-loved cartoon series, Absurdities and Realities in Special Education.

Episode 9: Kaitlin Northey and Valerie Wood

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On this episode of the podcast, CDCI Research Assistant Professor Valerie Wood is joined by early childhood education professor Kaitlin Northey.

Wood and Northey are two of the three authors of a recent study on suspension and expulsion in early childcare education settings across Vermont. They talk about why the study was necessary, what they found, and how comparing Vermont’s data to that of Colorado and Arkansas helped them determine a larger portrait of how suspensions and expulsions in these settings affect Vermont families.