Ability Radio

Archie Jennings and Shammi Carr discuss National Disability Employment Awareness Month, explaining employer-focused resources such as ODEP, JAN, EARN, and EEOC guidance on reasonable accommodation and return-to-work strategies.

They also outline services for job seekers and beneficiaries — Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor, Ticket to Work, Island Therapy Solutions, and My Brother’s Workshop — and share how DRCVI suppor...

This episode features Cancer Support VI's Barb Michaud (President/CEO), Anna Holley (Director of Operations), and patient advocate Anique Harrigan discussing Pinktober awareness events, community outreach, volunteer efforts, and how listeners can get help or get involved. For assistance, contact the patient advocate at 340-514-8647 or visit cancersupportvi.org.

Over 450 new cancer cases are diagnosed in the U.S. Virgin Islands each...

Attorney Kishma B. Francis speaks with Dr. Juan Christian about Tutu Park Mall’s “Community Connectivity” efforts, and the importance of community collaboration and creating a space for agencies to share resources. 

They discuss the power of partnerships—schools, nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers—to provide resources, raise awareness, and create emotionally and culturally safe spaces for residents. The episode highlights commu...

Dr. Muria Nisbett and Destiny Samuels speak about intentional self-care, mental health awareness, and practical strategies to prevent burnout — from daily small practices and respite for caregivers to normalizing therapy and checking in with others during Suicide Prevention Month and hurricane season.

Listeners receive tips for parents, teachers, and community members, and are directed to the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin ...

Wilfred Labiosa, CEO of Waves Ahead, discusses building community-based mental health and support services, including housing, for older adults and the LGBT community across Puerto Rico. He explains how Waves Ahead is working to solve problems through the organization’s hurricane relief work, reconstruction, the creation of regionally located centers, and ongoing research into anxiety, depression, and suicide among older Puerto Ric...

Host Amelia Headley-Lamont talks with Jim Harrington, founder of theTexas Civil Rights Project, about his new memoir and decades of organizing and litigation for farmworkers, students, people with disabilities, and communities. Harrington reflects on victories, setbacks, and lessons for activists and lawyers working to protect civil and disability rights. His new book, "The Texas Civil Rights Project: How We Built a Social Justice ...

In this episode, Archie Jennings, Esq., talks with Lawanda Cook, PhD, CRC, Senior Extension Associate at Cornell’s Yang Tan Institute and content specialist for the Northeast ADA Center. They explain the ADA Trainer Leadership Network (TLN), a free train‑the‑trainer program with 57 modules that builds local capacity to teach ADA rights and responsibilities across employment, public services, public accommodations, customer service,...

Host Archie Jennings, the Director of Advocacy, covers the Americans with Disabilities Act 35th Anniversary in a conversation with the Honorable Julien Henley, the Territorial ADA Coordinator, discussing key initiatives and challenges in making the Virgin Islands more accessible for persons with disabilities.

Julien highlights significant legislative efforts, such as the Visitability Law, which incentivizes homeowners to ensure acc...

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...