Ability Radio

Amelia Headly-LaMont interviews James Harrington - lawyer, activist, adjunct professor, and author - bout his decades of community organizing, landmark litigation, and building the Texas Civil Rights Project. Harrington discusses organizing farm workers in Texas and Michigan, winning workers' compensation and unemployment coverage, advancing ADA access, and the enduring power of house meetings over social media for sustained social...

Host Kishma B. Francis interviews Diana Autin, Senior Program Director at SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, about the vital role parents play as advocates for children and youth with disabilities. They discuss practical advocacy skills, the importance of support groups, and top resources like ParentCenterHub.org, disability-specific organizations, and local services through the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands.

The episod...

Host Kishma B. Francis interviews Tarik McMillan of Greater Changes about their Bright Path Wellness Center, community programs, and plans to expand mental health and wellness services across the Virgin Islands.

The episode highlights fitness and wellness classes, family events, the new DARRI Book Club literacy initiative, efforts to reduce stigma around mental health, and how residents can access free consultations and services.

L...

Coach Kie Ransom Mahler shares her lifelong journey as a swimmer and instructor, the importance of Black representation in aquatic education, and how swimming can boost brain development and confidence. She explains practical water-safety tips, the silent nature of drowning, local lifeguard resources, and community challenges like water quality and marine protection.

Learn about adaptive classes for children with sensory needs, how...

In this episode of Ability Radio, Dr. Julia Sheen, Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence, discusses the rising diabetes rates in the territory, prevention strategies, community outreach, and the Center’s services including mobile screenings, nutrition classes, medication management, pediatric care, and telemedicine.

She emphasizes cultural factors, the importance of regular testing, family awa...

You are listening to Ability Radio with Amelia Headley Lamont and guests Angus Drigo, Kishma Francis, and Archie Jennings of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. They outline 2026 priorities for DRCVI and the VI Parent Training Institute (VIPTI), one of nearly 100 parent training and information centers in the United States. The plans include teen mental health initiatives, youth empowerment, IEP and 504 trainings, a...

In this episode, Amelia Headly-LaMont speaks with Monique Bute, Director of the Virgin Islands Association for Independent Living (Center for Independent Living), about the independent living movement and the center’s mission to promote civil rights and independence for people with disabilities.

They outline the center’s five core services—advocacy, independent living skills training, information and referrals, pe...

Hosts Amelia Headley-Lamont and guests Angus Drigo (Executive Director), Archie Jennings (Assistant Executive & Litigation Director), and Kishma Francis (Project Director) recap the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands’ work in 2025. The episode covers the center’s advocacy mission, ADA enforcement, monitoring visits, the mental health consent decree, employment initiatives, and community projects such as ...

Amelia Headly Lamont interviews Rudean Leinaeng, a chemist, college professor, and author, about her life in science, her teaching and research (including work on lead in Bronx Zoo animals), and a film her son is making, "My Mother, the Scientist," to inspire more people of color to enter STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

They also discuss Rudean’s writing, including the novella "Cousin’s Sister" about ...

Host Amelia Headley LaMont interviews Yvonne Petersen, Executive Director of Beyond Visions Foundation, about her decades of nonprofit leadership, grant writing and training, and efforts to build local capacity across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

They discuss practical tips for aligning missions with funders, preparing competitive grant applications, the importance of collaboration, and special education approaches (including IEPs and ...

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...

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 resi...

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 V...

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 Puer...

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 se...

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...