Ability Radio

Join hosts Dawn Dyer and Attorney Archie Jennings from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands as they welcome Dr. Ramona Moss, Chair of the U.S. Virgin Islands Board of Psychology Examiners, for an insightful discussion on mental health.

Explore the vital importance of ensuring mental health professionals are licensed, the role of the Board of Psychology Examiners, and the challenges of accessing psychiatric care in the...

Dawn Dyer hosts Casey Payton, Executive Director of the VI Justice Initiative, to discuss how this innovative nonprofit is providing crucial legal support across the territory, from the successful "Clean Slate" expungement program to the "Know Your Rights" campaign, which helps youth understand their legal rights and consequences. Attorney Payton shares inspiring stories of outreach and education, explaining how the Initiative aims...

(Part 2 of 2) In this engaging episode of Ability Radio, host Amelia Headley-LaMont welcomes Paula Whatley Matabane, a retired professor from Howard University and an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Together, they delve into Matabane's profound family legacy, exploring her grandparents' journey from slavery to higher education and their influence on her spiritual and personal path. Discover how Matabane's ...

Amelia Hedley-Lamont introduces Gerad Evelyn, an assistive technology specialist at the Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD), which serves a broader range of individuals beyond students. This episode explores the world of assistive technology, showcasing its diverse applications beyond electronic devices, ranging from wheelchairs to voice-over-equipped smartphones.

Discover how Ger...

Amelia Headly-LaMont is joined by Archie Jennings, the Director of Advocacy at the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, to discuss information relevant to the disability community, including the proposed ABLE Act, which aims to ease the financial burdens of individuals with disabilities by establishing tax-advantaged savings accounts. The episode also highlights the formation of the Virgin Islands Psychological Board, en...

Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands and two pioneering artists, Elisa McKay and Pedra Chaffers, who showcased their two-woman art exhibition "Fabric and Silhouettes: Generational Synergy". The discussion highlights their artistic evolution, the inspiration they draw from the Virgin Islands, and their journey from educators to celebrated artists.

Elisa McKay narrates her journey from New Yor...

(Part 1 of 2) Join Amelia Headley LaMont on Ability Radio as she engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Paula Whatley Matabane, exploring the compelling life story of her grandmother, Ione Davis, and the memoir she penned in 1948 detailing the resilience and struggles from the sharecropping farms of South Georgia. As the granddaughter of formerly enslaved people, Davis’s narrative unfolds against the backdrop of socio-politica...

Join host Kishma B. Francis for the crucial topic of technology-facilitated sexual assault with special guest Ms. Simona Thomas, an expert in education and psychology. This conversation sheds light on how digital platforms can be misused for harassment and exploitation, putting victims in emotionally distressing situations.

Learn about the various forms of online sexual violence, including non-consensual image sharing, sextortion, ...

Host Kishma B. Francis and guests Dr. Muria Nisbett, and Destiny Samuel discuss grief by sharing personal stories and advice on how grief impacts children and adults. They explore various types of grief, such as losing a loved one or facing life changes like ending relationships, changing jobs, and moving.

This episode offers valuable tips on supporting ourselves and others in times of sadness. It emphasizes the importance of allow...

Join Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands for an important talk about help for finding and keeping jobs. Special guest Kimberly Washington from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and her team members, Reneta Adjodha and Rifkah Deane, share how they help students with disabilities move from school to good jobs. Learn how important it is to support people with disabilities and why having jobs in t...

This episode of Ability Radio delves into the experiences of longtime U.S. Virgin Islands residents, Lad and Lisa Wallace, as they discuss the challenges of surviving both hurricanes and wildfires. With the host, Amelia Headley-Lamont of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, the Wallaces share their experiences of evacuating during a massive wildfire in California and the lessons they learned about emergency preparedn...

Welcome to the 2024 year-end episode of Ability Radio, hosted by Angus Drigo, Executive Director of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. This special episode features conversations with key team members: Archie Jennings, Shammi Carr, and Kishma Francis, who share insights into the organization's mission and activities throughout the year.

The discussion highlights the importance of legal advocacy for individuals with...

In this episode of Ability Radio, host Amelia Hedley-Lamont of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands engages in a powerful conversation with Kalyn Fahie, an advocate, author, and training & technical assistance manager for Ujima - the National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community. Kalyn shares her personal journey from surviving domestic violence to becoming a beacon of hope and support for other...

Join host Amelia Hedley-Lemont in this episode about the integral roles of the University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) and the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. Guests Shamika Thomas, MPH, CCHW, Executive Director of VIUCEDD, and Shammi Carr, DRCVI Advocate, discuss how these organizations serve the broader community by providing essential services and advocacy for people with disabilit...

Welcome to Ability Radio, hosted by Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Sonia Taylor-Griffith, a dedicated pediatric dentist serving the communities of St. Thomas and St. Croix. Dr. Griffith sheds light on the prevalent issue of dental decay among children in the territory and discusses how dietary habits, especially the intake of processed foods rich ...

In this captivating episode of Ability Radio, host Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands welcomes a special guest, Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs. Dr. Gumbs, a renowned author and self-proclaimed queer black feminist love evangelist, discusses her latest work, "Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde."

The conversation delves into Dr. Gumbs' unique perspective as an "aspirational cou...

As the upcoming election day on November 5th approaches, we are pleased to have Caroline Fawkes, the Supervisor of Elections, as our guest to discuss essential voting information. Caroline shares updates on voting centers across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, emphasizing the new accessibility features and the importance of early voting.

In this previously recorded episode, we discuss the absentee ballot process, early voting ...

In this episode, host Kishma B. Francis dives into the topic of healthy gaming with special guest Dr. Alok Kanojia, a psychiatrist and founder of Healthy Gamer.

Dr. Kanojia, a recovering video game addict, shares his insights on how gaming can become an addiction and offers valuable advice on how parents and teachers can help children develop a balanced relationship with video games. He discusses the impact of gaming on individuals...