Disability News You Can Use

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Angela Amado. Former Research Associate at the University of Minnesota with 40 years of experience in looking at ways to foster friendships, belonging, and inclusive communities. We discuss her manual Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community Members, and her experience in the field, conducting research, developing government policy, and leading international training programs.

Re...

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Adiaha (pronounced /ah dee YAH/) I. A. Spinks-Franklin, MD, MPH, FAAP. 

Dr. Spinks-Franklin is a Board-certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, lifelong anti-oppression/pro-liberation social justice warrior, and Black/African American woman. She is the owner of DBP Doc, PLLC, a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Consultation, Education, and Training practice. She is the immediate past ...

Join us as we interview Kevin Savage, Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities. We talk about what the Division has focused on, what has gone well, and what still needs some work from this year. We also touch on what the Division's plans are for 2026 and some goals Kevin has for himself in the New Year. 

Contact Information:

• For the Division:
  • Phone: 401-462-3421 (main line)
  • Email: BHDDH.AskDD@bhddh.ri.gov
  ...

Join us as we interview Sue Babin, Special Projects Coordinator at The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council. She has been the founder and Project Director for Rhode Island's Self-Employment Business Incubator since 2018. We discuss the details about the Self-Employment Business classes, support, and opportunities provided to entrepreneurs.

Contact for Sue Babin:

• Phone: 401-523-2300
• Email: suebabin@riddc.org

...

Join us as we talk with Amy Stone about the RI Sibs. Rhode Island's Sibling Chapter is part of the national Sibling Leadership Network. 

RI Sibs' mission is to empower siblings of individuals with disabilities with the support, tools, and opportunities to advocate, collaborate, and engage with their brothers and sisters. They aim to promote the issues that matter most to families.

Sibling chapters provide the state and local connec...

July is Fragile X Awareness Month, and July 22nd is National Fragile X Awareness Day as designated by the 106th US Congress. Join us as we speak with Barbara and Charles as they raise awareness about Fragile X, build community, and share how you can support someone living with Fragile X.

• Foundation - Fragilex.org
• RIPIN Communit...

Join us as we have a candid conversation with Joanne Malise, Director of Living Innovations, Judy Niedbala, the recently retired Chief Executive Officer of Perspectives Corporation, and David Reiss, the Chief Executive Officer of The Fogarty Center. We discuss their days at the Ladd School, the impact they have had on the Developmental Disability (DD) system since then, how to build a good life, and their thoughts for the fu...

Join us for our interview with Anne LeClerc, Associate Director of Program Performance at the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and learn more about individual budgets, service changes, and more.
You can contact the division with questions by emailing (BHDDH.AskDD@bhddh.ri.gov). You can check out their website for more about these changes and updates. To get the latest updates, consider joining to receive the DD (Devel...

Listen to our co-produced episode of Disability News You Can Use with RIPIN's Susan Donovan and Sharon Kochan and learn more about their new Self-Directed Supports Program (SDSP). You can contact RIPIN about this program by calling the main number at 401-270-0101 or email (info@ripin.org) mentioning the Self-Directed Program. You can check out their website at https://ripin.org/selfdirectedsupport/.

We want to thank RIPIN, especial...

Enjoy this exclusive interview with the RI Director of Medicaid, Kristin Sousa. Director Sousa provides listeners with information, tips, and techniques for navigating RI's Medicaid renewal process. Links to resources referenced in the episode: Healthy Rhode RI website (https://healthyrhode.ri.gov/HIXWebI3/DisplayHomePage), Healthy Rhode RI iOS and Android apps (https://healthsourceri.com/healthyrhode-mobile-app/), Health Source RI...