May 22, 2025 • 22 mins
In 2023, MI-DDI celebrated 40 years of service. To commemorate this milestone, we produced a three-part podcast series highlighting our organization’s past, present, and future. The series features interviews with key individuals who have shaped MI-DDI’s journey. In part two, we hear from Angela Martin, Elizabeth Janks, LuAnn Loy, and Michael Bray.
Transcript - https://tinyurl.com/yv4v86xk
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Roosevelt Belton Jr (00:12):
Welcome to another edition of possibilities. The official podcast of the
Michigan Developmental Disabilities institute, better known as MI-DDI.
I'm your host Roosevelt Belton Jr. The Dissemination Coordinator here at MI-DDI
(00:43):
Today we continue our series on the past present and future of our institute
In this episode we're focusing on the present, highlighting the important
work MI-DDI is doing right now in Michigan's disability community. We're going to start
(01:11):
this conversation with Angela Martin. MI-DDI's Senior Associate Director.
Angela explains how MI-DDI has evolved to meet the modern needs concerning those with disabilities
(01:45):
Angela:
40 years ago we were introduced MI-DDI. I'm also a family member (of someone with disabilities) and
the way that we became aware of what was then Developmental Disabilities Institute was because
of the supports that were provided or the things that MI-DDI was working on which was inclusive
(02:10):
education. And my sibling at the time was in a center-based program and so our family was
really looking to the institute for information. And I think that's been a steady piece of the
puzzle over time, is that where innovation or new ideas could be tested and research could be
(02:35):
shaped around a particular topic. Has been a present piece of everything that we've done
and then sharing our information and what we've learned with others in the community.
The thing that I think has changed is the topics of what we get to delve into now. I mean 40 years
ago thinking about apps that would be helping people navigate their life independently would
(02:59):
have been a farcical idea. We would never have thought that. I see for my own sibling,
who receives supports, and experiences disability, the invent of technology has
been a huge game-changer both for her to do things for herself, and I think also for her to work.
(03:23):
And for others it might be transportation, it could be equipment to live on your own,
it could be ways to communicate, I mean 40 years ago the invent of technology has really
accelerated that and helping in, how we've been able to help people see that, is possibilities of
(03:49):
increasing their community living, going to school, pursuing employment, that's changed a lot.
Roosevelt (03:57):
Now, Angela shares why MI-DDI's research focus has
shifted over time and what that means for the people we serve
Angela (04:11):
Right now we are doing a project, we've been invited by another
UCEDD ( University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) to be a part of a
six-state research project on assessing mental health, the experience of mental illness with
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities typically research and assessment
tools have not included people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they may have
(04:38):
missed the mark on accurately assessing for those needs so this is a research project that will
help develop a tool to better assess and identify the experience of mental illness for people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities we're one of six states participating in this project
but that ability to do research across states make sure that we're you know getting the most
(05:03):
rigorous research approach. Quality outcomes and findings that are are going to make a difference
in the lives of people with disabilities. Other projects that we've worked on we've had family
support projects in Michigan and there's been a network of family support projects across the
country and what one state can try to pilot and learn from being part of that network we can then
(05:29):
learn from that share information and obviously refine or adopt or not do what maybe didn't work
or what worked and that really does help states and helps us to learn from other places there's
also that benefit of knowing that what one state does is possible for another state to
(05:52):
you know to embrace or to adopt or maybe to take a different direction based on that experience
but that's where a strong network of learning together is really important and avoid mistakes
that others have done or you're basically taking what they what they learned and building on it
and going to the next level so you're asking the next questions or addressing the next level of the
(06:12):
issue that's huge and I mean resources are often limited so you can't always do everything you want
Roosevelt (06:19):
that was Angela Martin
now we're going to hear from Michael Bray MI-DDI's Associate Director for Training. Michael talks
about how communication efforts have evolved to better connect with the disability community.
Michael (06:39):
I actually left DDI for two years and for 2015 and 2016 worked for another
college and coming back it's changed a lot in the last in the last 20 years I think
(06:59):
the primary way is that we have we've become i think we've we've really recognized the impact
that technology is is you know the growing use of technology uh within the disability
community and the impact that has both positive and negative and it's something that we've had
(07:19):
to be really cognizant of uh in the services that we provide whether it's training whether
it's community support and just disseminating information and you know we we the big thing
is really being aware of how those we serve use technology um so that we don't put up any barriers
(07:43):
uh to between us and and the folks that we provide services to so i think the the biggest
change is is embracing technology because there was initially there was a big resistance within
um you know some some parts of the disability community and within our within by professionals
in our space as well um they thought it would be inaccessible in many ways in some ways it
(08:08):
is but i think for us the embracing it and really um you know showing how it can be
uh um have a positive impact showing how folks lives can really benefit from the adoption of
of different technologies um but just again really being careful on how that how it's used
(08:32):
so we're not so we're not excluding folks just by using you know different methods different
uh you know platforms so i think that's been probably the biggest change um
Roosevelt (08:44):
Now Michael reflects on how MI-DDI has stayed true to
it's message even as the tools and technology for outreach have changed
Michael (08:58):
The mission has never changed you know the mission has been from the
day i started working there and and i is to to really focus on individuals focus on
families and really valuing and putting their voice and their needs ahead of everything
(09:20):
so you know while we have experienced change in that in a lot of that technological space maybe in
the way we deliver training you know in different ways the mission has never changed so i would say
it's a it's a little bit of both i mean we keep growing but the mission has always been front and
center i don't think it's so much changed i think the methods of getting it getting that information
(09:44):
and getting that that mission out there has changed um but i think the the the message
has been the same um and the message continues to be the value that individuals add to their
communities all individuals um inclusion um i yeah i i i don't think the message has so much evolved
(10:08):
as much as our our mechanisms for getting that message out have evolved um you know i i think you
know the message it's hard to say it's hard to say i i don't think it's changed i think i think from
day one i know since i've been there for the last 20 years the mission has always been to promote
(10:31):
inclusion to support individuals to provide access to you know health care transportation the
community whatever it is and i think that message persists and i think it's still very strong
Roosevelt (10:45):
that was Michael Bray now we're going to hear from Elizabeth Janks our former
Director of Training and now current Research Technician Elizabeth talks about how our training
programs influence the next generation of health professionals and their perspectives on disability
Elizabeth (11:10):
we have several projects um and everyone has kind of their area of expertise
mine is family support um and also disability awareness training for health care professionals
um some people do inclusive education other people you know are working on post-secondary
opportunities for people with disabilities um but the biggest evolution i've seen in my area
(11:36):
um has been around the disability awareness training for health care professionals and you
know most parents of children with disabilities can tell a story of a very negative experience
they may have had with a physician or a healthcare provider either not understanding their child's
disability or making demands of them you know at appointments that are very difficult for them
(12:01):
and make them feel uncomfortable um so one area we've really i think done a lot of change in is
we were just invited Sharon, Dr. Milberger, and i were just invited to do a lecture at
the medical school with 300 residents there um medical students and you know we got to do the
(12:24):
disability awareness and and get get them a deeper understanding of what families are going through
um you know at medical appointments and understanding a little bit about the
history of disability and why parents may have or people with disabilities may have negative
connotations of medical experiences they've had because of institutionalization in the past and
(12:47):
the treatment that people with disabilities got historically so i've really seen the evolution
there they were very the students at wayne state medical school were very interested
in what we were saying um they asked great questions and i just i can feel really good
about you know that evolution that i feel like the healthcare providers are truly interested
(13:13):
in engaging people with disabilities in a really proactive and respectful way
Roosevelt (13:18):
now Elizabeth shares how MI-DDI's work
helps people with disabilities grow not just professionally but within their communities
Elizabeth (13:29):
well if i can use my son's example um you know Robert when he was born i i didn't
know we didn't know um if he would be able to ever live on his own or or you know what would happen
for him in the future um and he's living in his own home 10 minutes away from most of his family
(13:54):
he has a roommate he does have 24-hour care of course you know to help him with some things but
he loves it he's happy he comes home he visits he goes and gets his shoes after a while and
indicates he wants to go back home um you know he's an uncle now and you know the kids look up
(14:14):
to him and do things with him and you know so it's been i think that's that's an example of you know
where my work perhaps if i had not been exposed to the work at the institute i'm not sure that he
would have we would have had um the opportunity to realize that dream so for me that's a really
(14:35):
you know deeply personal success story um and i think my family would agree with that as well
and Robert he's he's quite happy um and i'm you know we have so many great stories that you know
people that have benefited from the the projects we've done but also we've benefited from them so
(14:58):
many of them have become advocates they come back they do lectures in my you know with the course i
teach on disability they're doing phenomenal work around the state i believe you may have
even done a possibilities video with a couple of the folks that do a lot of like Alex (Kimmel) and
some other folks that do a lot of great work for us that kind of came to us in projects we
(15:23):
did but then evolved past our work and you know kind of took charge and are are doing their own
thing out in the community and at policy level and making a difference and mentoring younger people
with disabilities as well so they can model that and hopefully we do some lasting systemic change
Roosevelt (15:46):
you just heard from Elizabeth Janks, to close this episode we're joined by LuAnn Loy,
a disability advocate and member of MI-DDI's Community Advisory Council
she explains how MI-DDI's research and support helps parents of
(16:09):
children with disabilities make informed decisions about their children's future
LuAnn (16:15):
uh yeah for me i had just finished partners in policy making um which is a group that helps
to train individuals about disabilities and the history of the disability movement and uh shortly
after that i became involved with DDI. DDI had a fantastic influence on our family um we were
(16:40):
struggling with the system not wanting Abby to be excluded from regular education and at the time
uh inclusive education was a hot topic and DDI is always relevant and forward-looking in terms
of what they're doing research on and what their findings are and so i look to them for guidance
(17:04):
the the research they're doing is always relevant and it it can help you as a parent
of a child with a disability you need to have relevant information and um and they provided
that uh they provided it not just in conferences but in smaller settings and they did training as
(17:26):
well which they continue to do well they have a finger on the pulse of what's going on in in
people's lives in a meaningful way and what they try to do is do the research to figure out what's
going on and then provide training to address that and i think that's their core strength
Roosevelt (17:44):
listen to LuAnn reflect as she explains how MI-DDI was helpful
in her own daughter's journey towards inclusion
LuAnn (17:53):
um yes we wanted Abby to be included in the regular education setting uh given the same
opportunities that a typical child would have and uh DDI helped to provide information to help us
achieve that DDI really makes a difference because their attitude is to full inclusion and that is
(18:13):
very inspiring when you're a parent and you have a child with a disability typically you don't have
any knowledge of that disability until your child is born and so you go out looking for resources
and information and DDI is pretty easy to find and that that's that's why they're so helpful
(18:38):
because parents just don't know this isn't a road that they've traveled before typically
Roosevelt (18:43):
That was LuAnn Loy as we come to a close we're going to hear once again from
Angela Martin as she reflects on how far MI-DDI has come and shares her vision for what lies ahead
Angela (19:00):
The best way i can say see it is there are some people um my friends with disabilities
who are a little bit older than i am they may not have experienced public education because
they were born before the public education rule um gave them access to public schools they may
have also lived in a institution separated from their family and i look at a generation a couple
(19:23):
generations after them those individuals went to public school and they may have had it you
know they have had jobs and the generation just beyond them are young people who've only gone
to public schools who have been um played on their local basketball team they've had
a job in their community they've learned you know they have a vehicle they learn to drive
(19:48):
um they live amongst they've only lived in their neighborhood in community they've never
been separated so with each generation we see progress i think the goal should be that the
progress gap should be much shorter and we shouldn't have to wait for somebody's full
lifetime for them to see progress in their lifetime i hope that changes and um we start
(20:11):
to have progress occur quicker i definitely know that younger people with disabilities
um have been encouraged to have their voice heard by others and um that is something that
has changed but it never would have happened if there wasn't um strong advocates with disabilities
before them or parents with disabilities showing other parents how to advocate for
(20:33):
their family member each generation needs to help the next and we need to continue progress for sure
Roosevelt:
that wraps up this edition of possibilities thanks
(20:54):
for listening and special thanks to our guests for sharing their insight
and experience. If you'd like to learn more about MI-DDI's work visit our website at:
ddi.wayne.edu
until next time keep exploring your possibilities
Welcome to another edition of possibilities. The official podcast of the
Michigan Developmental Disabilities institute, better known as MI-DDI.
I'm your host Roosevelt Belton Jr. The Dissemination Coordinator here at MI-DDI
(00:43):
Today we continue our series on the past present and future of our institute
In this episode we're focusing on the present, highlighting the important
work MI-DDI is doing right now in Michigan's disability community. We're going to start
(01:11):
this conversation with Angela Martin. MI-DDI's Senior Associate Director.
Angela explains how MI-DDI has evolved to meet the modern needs concerning those with disabilities
(01:45):
Angela:
40 years ago we were introduced MI-DDI. I'm also a family member (of someone with disabilities) and
the way that we became aware of what was then Developmental Disabilities Institute was because
of the supports that were provided or the things that MI-DDI was working on which was inclusive
(02:10):
education. And my sibling at the time was in a center-based program and so our family was
really looking to the institute for information. And I think that's been a steady piece of the
puzzle over time, is that where innovation or new ideas could be tested and research could be
(02:35):
shaped around a particular topic. Has been a present piece of everything that we've done
and then sharing our information and what we've learned with others in the community.
The thing that I think has changed is the topics of what we get to delve into now. I mean 40 years
ago thinking about apps that would be helping people navigate their life independently would
(02:59):
have been a farcical idea. We would never have thought that. I see for my own sibling,
who receives supports, and experiences disability, the invent of technology has
been a huge game-changer both for her to do things for herself, and I think also for her to work.
(03:23):
And for others it might be transportation, it could be equipment to live on your own,
it could be ways to communicate, I mean 40 years ago the invent of technology has really
accelerated that and helping in, how we've been able to help people see that, is possibilities of
(03:49):
increasing their community living, going to school, pursuing employment, that's changed a lot.
Roosevelt (03:57):
Now, Angela shares why MI-DDI's research focus has
shifted over time and what that means for the people we serve
Angela (04:11):
Right now we are doing a project, we've been invited by another
UCEDD ( University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) to be a part of a
six-state research project on assessing mental health, the experience of mental illness with
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities typically research and assessment
tools have not included people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they may have
(04:38):
missed the mark on accurately assessing for those needs so this is a research project that will
help develop a tool to better assess and identify the experience of mental illness for people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities we're one of six states participating in this project
but that ability to do research across states make sure that we're you know getting the most
(05:03):
rigorous research approach. Quality outcomes and findings that are are going to make a difference
in the lives of people with disabilities. Other projects that we've worked on we've had family
support projects in Michigan and there's been a network of family support projects across the
country and what one state can try to pilot and learn from being part of that network we can then
(05:29):
learn from that share information and obviously refine or adopt or not do what maybe didn't work
or what worked and that really does help states and helps us to learn from other places there's
also that benefit of knowing that what one state does is possible for another state to
(05:52):
you know to embrace or to adopt or maybe to take a different direction based on that experience
but that's where a strong network of learning together is really important and avoid mistakes
that others have done or you're basically taking what they what they learned and building on it
and going to the next level so you're asking the next questions or addressing the next level of the
(06:12):
issue that's huge and I mean resources are often limited so you can't always do everything you want
Roosevelt (06:19):
that was Angela Martin
now we're going to hear from Michael Bray MI-DDI's Associate Director for Training. Michael talks
about how communication efforts have evolved to better connect with the disability community.
Michael (06:39):
I actually left DDI for two years and for 2015 and 2016 worked for another
college and coming back it's changed a lot in the last in the last 20 years I think
(06:59):
the primary way is that we have we've become i think we've we've really recognized the impact
that technology is is you know the growing use of technology uh within the disability
community and the impact that has both positive and negative and it's something that we've had
(07:19):
to be really cognizant of uh in the services that we provide whether it's training whether
it's community support and just disseminating information and you know we we the big thing
is really being aware of how those we serve use technology um so that we don't put up any barriers
(07:43):
uh to between us and and the folks that we provide services to so i think the the biggest
change is is embracing technology because there was initially there was a big resistance within
um you know some some parts of the disability community and within our within by professionals
in our space as well um they thought it would be inaccessible in many ways in some ways it
(08:08):
is but i think for us the embracing it and really um you know showing how it can be
uh um have a positive impact showing how folks lives can really benefit from the adoption of
of different technologies um but just again really being careful on how that how it's used
(08:32):
so we're not so we're not excluding folks just by using you know different methods different
uh you know platforms so i think that's been probably the biggest change um
Roosevelt (08:44):
Now Michael reflects on how MI-DDI has stayed true to
it's message even as the tools and technology for outreach have changed
Michael (08:58):
The mission has never changed you know the mission has been from the
day i started working there and and i is to to really focus on individuals focus on
families and really valuing and putting their voice and their needs ahead of everything
(09:20):
so you know while we have experienced change in that in a lot of that technological space maybe in
the way we deliver training you know in different ways the mission has never changed so i would say
it's a it's a little bit of both i mean we keep growing but the mission has always been front and
center i don't think it's so much changed i think the methods of getting it getting that information
(09:44):
and getting that that mission out there has changed um but i think the the the message
has been the same um and the message continues to be the value that individuals add to their
communities all individuals um inclusion um i yeah i i i don't think the message has so much evolved
(10:08):
as much as our our mechanisms for getting that message out have evolved um you know i i think you
know the message it's hard to say it's hard to say i i don't think it's changed i think i think from
day one i know since i've been there for the last 20 years the mission has always been to promote
(10:31):
inclusion to support individuals to provide access to you know health care transportation the
community whatever it is and i think that message persists and i think it's still very strong
Roosevelt (10:45):
that was Michael Bray now we're going to hear from Elizabeth Janks our former
Director of Training and now current Research Technician Elizabeth talks about how our training
programs influence the next generation of health professionals and their perspectives on disability
Elizabeth (11:10):
we have several projects um and everyone has kind of their area of expertise
mine is family support um and also disability awareness training for health care professionals
um some people do inclusive education other people you know are working on post-secondary
opportunities for people with disabilities um but the biggest evolution i've seen in my area
(11:36):
um has been around the disability awareness training for health care professionals and you
know most parents of children with disabilities can tell a story of a very negative experience
they may have had with a physician or a healthcare provider either not understanding their child's
disability or making demands of them you know at appointments that are very difficult for them
(12:01):
and make them feel uncomfortable um so one area we've really i think done a lot of change in is
we were just invited Sharon, Dr. Milberger, and i were just invited to do a lecture at
the medical school with 300 residents there um medical students and you know we got to do the
(12:24):
disability awareness and and get get them a deeper understanding of what families are going through
um you know at medical appointments and understanding a little bit about the
history of disability and why parents may have or people with disabilities may have negative
connotations of medical experiences they've had because of institutionalization in the past and
(12:47):
the treatment that people with disabilities got historically so i've really seen the evolution
there they were very the students at wayne state medical school were very interested
in what we were saying um they asked great questions and i just i can feel really good
about you know that evolution that i feel like the healthcare providers are truly interested
(13:13):
in engaging people with disabilities in a really proactive and respectful way
Roosevelt (13:18):
now Elizabeth shares how MI-DDI's work
helps people with disabilities grow not just professionally but within their communities
Elizabeth (13:29):
well if i can use my son's example um you know Robert when he was born i i didn't
know we didn't know um if he would be able to ever live on his own or or you know what would happen
for him in the future um and he's living in his own home 10 minutes away from most of his family
(13:54):
he has a roommate he does have 24-hour care of course you know to help him with some things but
he loves it he's happy he comes home he visits he goes and gets his shoes after a while and
indicates he wants to go back home um you know he's an uncle now and you know the kids look up
(14:14):
to him and do things with him and you know so it's been i think that's that's an example of you know
where my work perhaps if i had not been exposed to the work at the institute i'm not sure that he
would have we would have had um the opportunity to realize that dream so for me that's a really
(14:35):
you know deeply personal success story um and i think my family would agree with that as well
and Robert he's he's quite happy um and i'm you know we have so many great stories that you know
people that have benefited from the the projects we've done but also we've benefited from them so
(14:58):
many of them have become advocates they come back they do lectures in my you know with the course i
teach on disability they're doing phenomenal work around the state i believe you may have
even done a possibilities video with a couple of the folks that do a lot of like Alex (Kimmel) and
some other folks that do a lot of great work for us that kind of came to us in projects we
(15:23):
did but then evolved past our work and you know kind of took charge and are are doing their own
thing out in the community and at policy level and making a difference and mentoring younger people
with disabilities as well so they can model that and hopefully we do some lasting systemic change
Roosevelt (15:46):
you just heard from Elizabeth Janks, to close this episode we're joined by LuAnn Loy,
a disability advocate and member of MI-DDI's Community Advisory Council
she explains how MI-DDI's research and support helps parents of
(16:09):
children with disabilities make informed decisions about their children's future
LuAnn (16:15):
uh yeah for me i had just finished partners in policy making um which is a group that helps
to train individuals about disabilities and the history of the disability movement and uh shortly
after that i became involved with DDI. DDI had a fantastic influence on our family um we were
(16:40):
struggling with the system not wanting Abby to be excluded from regular education and at the time
uh inclusive education was a hot topic and DDI is always relevant and forward-looking in terms
of what they're doing research on and what their findings are and so i look to them for guidance
(17:04):
the the research they're doing is always relevant and it it can help you as a parent
of a child with a disability you need to have relevant information and um and they provided
that uh they provided it not just in conferences but in smaller settings and they did training as
(17:26):
well which they continue to do well they have a finger on the pulse of what's going on in in
people's lives in a meaningful way and what they try to do is do the research to figure out what's
going on and then provide training to address that and i think that's their core strength
Roosevelt (17:44):
listen to LuAnn reflect as she explains how MI-DDI was helpful
in her own daughter's journey towards inclusion
LuAnn (17:53):
um yes we wanted Abby to be included in the regular education setting uh given the same
opportunities that a typical child would have and uh DDI helped to provide information to help us
achieve that DDI really makes a difference because their attitude is to full inclusion and that is
(18:13):
very inspiring when you're a parent and you have a child with a disability typically you don't have
any knowledge of that disability until your child is born and so you go out looking for resources
and information and DDI is pretty easy to find and that that's that's why they're so helpful
(18:38):
because parents just don't know this isn't a road that they've traveled before typically
Roosevelt (18:43):
That was LuAnn Loy as we come to a close we're going to hear once again from
Angela Martin as she reflects on how far MI-DDI has come and shares her vision for what lies ahead
Angela (19:00):
The best way i can say see it is there are some people um my friends with disabilities
who are a little bit older than i am they may not have experienced public education because
they were born before the public education rule um gave them access to public schools they may
have also lived in a institution separated from their family and i look at a generation a couple
(19:23):
generations after them those individuals went to public school and they may have had it you
know they have had jobs and the generation just beyond them are young people who've only gone
to public schools who have been um played on their local basketball team they've had
a job in their community they've learned you know they have a vehicle they learn to drive
(19:48):
um they live amongst they've only lived in their neighborhood in community they've never
been separated so with each generation we see progress i think the goal should be that the
progress gap should be much shorter and we shouldn't have to wait for somebody's full
lifetime for them to see progress in their lifetime i hope that changes and um we start
(20:11):
to have progress occur quicker i definitely know that younger people with disabilities
um have been encouraged to have their voice heard by others and um that is something that
has changed but it never would have happened if there wasn't um strong advocates with disabilities
before them or parents with disabilities showing other parents how to advocate for
(20:33):
their family member each generation needs to help the next and we need to continue progress for sure
Roosevelt:
that wraps up this edition of possibilities thanks
(20:54):
for listening and special thanks to our guests for sharing their insight
and experience. If you'd like to learn more about MI-DDI's work visit our website at:
ddi.wayne.edu
until next time keep exploring your possibilities
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