A podcast devoted to the developmental disability community is brought to you by the Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA). DDA has been an advocate and supporter of this vulnerable part of society since 1952. We operate over 50 group homes, child development centres, and drop-in programs in Vancouver and Richmond, British Columbia. Today, we support over 1,800 people with developmental disabilities and their families each year.
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MakeGood - Using the Latest Tech to Create an Accessible World
49:54
49:54
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Noam Platt is the founder of MakeGood, an organization in Louisiana specializing in designing and building devices for people with disabilities. We caught up with him about how new technologies are making it easier and cheaper to build an accessible world.By communicationsz8
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He moved to Canada about 20 years ago from the UK and never left. We chat with accessibility consultant Ramesh Lad who aims to make Vancouver Island accessible to all. TRANSCRIPT 00:08 Welcome again to DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast, where we chat about everything disability related. I'm your host, DDA Communications Manager, Evan Kelly. Now w…
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Theatre Terrific - Expanding the Horizons for Anyone With the Acting Bug
42:19
42:19
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Laen Herschler knows his live theatre. The UBC PhD student has taken the reins of Vancouver's inclusive Theatre Terrific and encourages anyone of any ability to get involved. TRANSCRIPT Theatre Terrific – Expanding the Horizons for Anyone With the Acting Bug 00:09 Okay, we are back for another edition of DDA's encouraging abilities podcast. I am yo…
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Filling the Gap - Leash of Hope Assistance Dogs
37:18
37:18
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It's a long process, and it's not cheap. We chat with the founders of Leash of Hope Assistance Dogs who are doing everything possible to meet the demand for service dogs to help the world become more accessible for people with disabilities. TRANSCRIPT Filling the Gap - Leash of Hope Assistance Dogs 00:04 We are back with DDA's Encouraging Abilities…
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Elliot Hedley: Disability Advocate One Song and One Documentary at a Time
33:33
33:33
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The disability community must have self-advocates. Meet Elliot Hedley, budding songwriter, filmmaker, and screenwriter on why being a voice for his community is so important. TRANSCRIPT Elliot Hedley: Disability Advocate One Song and One Documentary at a Time 00:19 Welcome back to DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast. I'm your host, DDA Communicatio…
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Standing at the Intersection of Race and Disability is Rabia Khedr
39:34
39:34
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It's one thing to have a disability and feel left out, it's another to be part of a marginalized group as well. We chat with Rabia Khedr, founder of Race and Disability Canada in this Encouraging Abilities podcast. TRANSCRIPT Standing at the Intersection of Race and Disability is Rabia Khedr 00:06 Welcome once again to DDA's Encouraging Abilities p…
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CURIKO - Filling the Spaces in Between
1:11:04
1:11:04
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Community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities is and always will be a driving force for DDA. However, here in 2024, some new players and organizations are emerging to fill the spaces in between to help broaden horizons and cultivate relationships for people of all abilities. Say hello to CURIKO. TRANSCRIPT CURIKO – Filling the Spac…
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The Life That's Chosen Me - From Russia With Love
40:15
40:15
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Making personal sacrifices for your partner's career is one thing, creating a home in several countries while at the same time caring for a severely disabled child is another. We caught up with Rachelle Rosolofo-Czerwinski to talk about her new memoir, The Life That's Chosen Me - From Russia With Love. TRANSCRIPT The Life That’s Chosen Me – From Ru…
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Vital People - A Career in Caregiving at DDA
34:54
34:54
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Ratnam Mathur is one of our valued group home managers who, like many staff at DDA, found a calling that pulled them off a defined path and into a career that meant so much more than money and fancy titles. TRANSCRIPT Vital People – A Career in Caregiving at DDA 00:10 Welcome back to DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast. I am your host, DDA Communic…
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Freeing Teresa - A Chat with Authors Franke James and Her Husband Bill
44:43
44:43
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Freeing Teresa, a new book by Franke James, her husband Bill, and Franke's sister Teresa talks about the challenges a family can face when it comes to the care and consideration of a family member who has developmental disabilities. On one side, is the freedom to choose, on the other is family dysfunction that is likely beyond repair.…
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He's a man on a mission. Meindert Hinlopen hopes to level the playing field when it comes to personal training. His company's focus is to help people with developmental disabilities get in shape and find their passion. Say hello to Spectrum Health in this Encouraging Abilities podcast! TRANSCRIPT Healthy People – Longer Lives 00:05 Welcome back to …
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Jamie Dri Success Story: Celebrating 15 Years With Jobs West
21:42
21:42
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For many, success is defined by job title and bank accounts. For Jamie Dri, overcoming crushing anxiety and living independently means she is on top of her game. She has been a part of DDA's employment program, Jobs West, for the last 15 years and has no plans to stop! She shares her lived experience in this episode of the Encouagring Abilities pod…
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Managing Anxiety in Autism: Going Full Improv with Dr. Nathan Keates
31:24
31:24
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A chance meeting on 'X' has DDA chatting with Dr. Nathan Keates, in London, England about his Ph.D. thesis that postulates improv theatre has a benefit for autistic people when it comes to managing anxiety and more. TRANSCRIPT Managing Anxiety in Autism: Going Full Improv with Dr. Nathan Keates 00:06 Welcome again to DDA's Encouraging Abilities pod…
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Dementia and Alzheimer’s - When Caregiving is Vital
43:48
43:48
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At some point in our lives, we will all be touched by dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, in the developmental disability community, these conditions are more likely to show up. We connect with Karen Tyrell, author of Cracking the Dementia Code and consultant to the DDA community. TRANSCRIPT Dementia and Alzheimer’s – When Caregiving is…
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Looking to the Future of Caregiving: Artifical Intelligence
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36:21
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Good caregivers are few and far between. It's a tough sector to keep staff for several reasons. So what's the answer for supporting an aging population or people with disabilities? Artificial Intelligence is already starting to play a role. We caught up with Mercer Gary from Drexel University in Pennsylvania about the positives and some ethical con…
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Making Travel Accessible to the Neurodivergent Community
30:41
30:41
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In this episode of DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast, we chat with Angela Faminoff, owner of Travel With Ange travel agency based in Victoria, BC. A champion of the disability community, it's her mission to make sure everyone sees the world. TRANSCRIPT Making Travel Accessible to the Neurodivergent Community 00:05 Welcome back to another edition …
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A local man is nothing short of a pioneer when it comes to inclusion. Master Michael Sirota has been teaching Taekwondo and Hapkido to the disability community for over 20 years and feels there is nothing they can't accomplish through the practice of martial arts. TRANSCRIPT Sirota’s Alchymy: A Doorway to Inclusion 00:05 We are back with DDA's Enco…
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Connecting on the ice and pitch with Sportability BC
34:47
34:47
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Adaptive sports are expanding in B.C. In this podcast, we connect with Jade Werger from Sportability BC and what they are doing to improve the lives of people with disabilities. TRANSCRIPT Connecting on the Ice and Pitch with SportAbility BC 00:06 Hello and welcome to DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast. I am your host, Evan Kelly, communications m…
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The City of Vancouver is making strides with its Accessibility Strategy. DDA chats with the city's Accessibility Planner, Karen Lai who offers perspectives from her lived experiences. TRANSCRIPT Changing Attitudes One Street at a Time 00:06 Hello and welcome back to another episode of Developmental Disabilities Association's Encouraging Abilities p…
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DDA Chats with Disability Advocate Spencer van Vloten
32:38
32:38
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Success will come when advocating and fostering change in prevailing attitudes when it comes to disabilities. In this episode of DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast, we chat with well-known disability advocate Spencer van Vloten who prides himself on being a champion for the disability community. TRANSCRIPT DDA Chats with Disability Advocate Spence…
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Roshni is a Self-Advocate with a Mission to Feed!
16:18
16:18
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Roshni Kashyap was born to make food. The young woman with Down syndrome started a chutney business and is poised to launch a cookbook. However, she has many other talents and her whole life to explore them. Including publishing a book of poetry. Available on Amazon is Don't Forget You're Beautiful. TRANSCRIPT Roshni is a Self-Advocate with a Missi…
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Kello Inclusive: Edmonton-based Modeling Agency is Starting to Get Noticed
32:31
32:31
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Not even two years old, Kello Inclusive Modeling Agency, based in Edmonton already has some massive brands seeking them out. But what's more important is the clients they represent. We chat with founder Katie MacMillan. TRANSCRIPT Kello Inclusive: Edmonton-based Modeling Agency is Starting to Get Noticed 00:06 It's time again for Developmental Disa…
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DDA Talks Accessibilty with Brad McCannell
41:14
41:14
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B.C. is a leader when it comes to accessibility. Just ask The Rick Hansen Foundation's Brad McCannell. However, attitudes still need to shift in order to guarantee inclusion for everyone, and that means making noise so everyone is heard. TRANSCRIPT DDA Talks Accessibility with Brad McCannell 00:05 Hello and welcome once again to DDA's encouraging a…
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Inspired by an accident ten years ago that left her brother with a life-changing intellectual disability, a young B.C. artist creates a book about inclusion. DDA chats with Invermere's Veronika Kitzul. TRANSCRIPT His Name is Nicholas 00:05 Welcome to DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast. I'm your host, DDA Communications Manager, Evan Kelly. One of …
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Ableism is an issue. From inadequate designs to being left out or looked down upon, ableism prevents many from being included in everyday life. The Office of the BC Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Alliance BC have joined forces to address the issue and created a new awareness campaign called Rewrite the Rules. TRANSCRIPT Ableism Prompts a …
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A Chat with Dr. Jaimie Borisoff: On the Forefront of Wheelchair Design
28:35
28:35
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Accessibility affects many people, and even one day, perhaps yourself. In this Encouraging Abilities Podcast, we connected with Dr. Jaimie Borisoff who runs a development program at BCIT with an eye on designing better wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment that helps people stay included. TRANSCRIPT A Chat with Dr. Jaimie Borisoff: On the Forefr…
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Transforming the World One Building at a Time With Karin Pasqua
30:13
30:13
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Accessibility should not be an afterthought. Buildings and spaces should not be designed for people with no disabilities only. Because, as Karin Pasqua of Meaningful Access Consultants says, we are all going to be affected at some point in our lives by accessibility issues. With that in mind, we need to look at design as universal before shovels hi…
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The Developmental Disabilities Association's Executive Director Alanna Hendren talks about the association's 70th anniversary, where the organization has been, and where it's headed in the 21st century. A staunch advocate for people with developmental disabilities, Alanna Hendren has been involved in this sector for over 40 years. TRANSCRIPT 70 Yea…
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A Chat with Dr. Laverne Jacobs - Canada’s First Member of the UN’s Committee on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities
28:00
28:00
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Dr. Laverne Jacobs is making Canada proud. Not only has she published one of the first books on disability law in Canada, but has recently been elected to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities. And...she has another book in the works! TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kelly 0:05 Thank you again for joining us on the Developmental D…
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DDA Talks to Author and Professor Deborah Stienstra About the Current Disability Rights Landscape in Canada
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32:17
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Rights are usually a foregone conclusion in Canada, however, when it comes to people with disabilities, their rights are sometimes overlooked, or, at best, not really taken into consideration. Accessibility matters, inclusion matters, but making sure these things are enforced and protected takes an entire population to shift its collective outlook.…
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Esther Thane is an expert in music therapy whose team helps families with children who have autism communicate and reach behavioral objectives while exploring the universal language of music. TRANSCRIPT Evan Kelly 0:04 So welcome back to DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast. I'm your host, Evan Kelly. I'm the Communications Manager here at Developme…
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DDA talks to $10 a day childcare advocate Sharon Gregson
22:42
22:42
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DDA operates nine child development centres in Vancouver and Richmond. As the province shifts towards a $10-a-day childcare system, we reached out to childcare advocate Sharon Gregson about where we are now and where we need to be when it comes to reaching that goal. TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kelly 0:04 Welcome to DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast. I'm yo…
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Accessibility Needs to be Universal: A Chat with CANBC Founder Heather McCain
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29:02
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Heather McCain is the creator of www.canbc.org, a disability advocate website born out of need that offers workshops and support for those in the disability community and the disability Queer community. As Pride Month comes to an end for another year, it's good to raise awareness that people in LGBTQ community who identify as disabled have other co…
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Protecting the Most Vulnerable from the Heat of Climate Change
30:34
30:34
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DDA talks with Jeanne Hansen who's sister, Tracey McKinley, who suffered mental health issues, died in the heat dome of 2021. Despite new government policy, what can we do to better protect people who can't protect themselves? TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kelly 0:05 So welcome back to DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast. This is where we connect with advocates…
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DDA Talks to Delia Meinhardt, Assistant Director of Employment with Jobs West
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18:53
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Finding a job is a dauting experience for anyone. Now, imagine having a developmental disability. There are many barriers that can prevent you from finding work and gaining independence. Fortunately, there are people like Delia Meinhardt who helps run DDA's social enterprise operation, Jobs West. TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kelly 0:05 So welcome to Developmen…
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Christie Faye Collins is Autistic. Like many in the disability community, finding a partner isn't always easy. So, she is creating NOMI. A new dating app specifically for the disability and neurodiverse community. www.nomiconnect.net is still in the testing phase and Christie and her team hope to have it up and running in 2023. TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kel…
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DDA Talks to Nathan Shipley During National AccessAbility Week
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27:27
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Nathan Shipley was born with Cerebral Palsy. Today he is a public speaker and does not see himself as disabled. DDA reached out to him during National AccessAbility Week to talk about his life and what it means to build accessible communities. TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kelly 0:05 Welcome to the Developmental Disabilities Association's Encouraging Abilities …
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Accessible, Assistive Technology: A Chat With Keegan Newberry Asst. Director at DDA
24:55
24:55
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May 29th to June 4th is National Accessibility Week in Canada. We sat down with Keegan Newberry, DDA's Assistant Director of Assistive Technology, to discuss what's happening in the community and business world to help facilitate accessibility for people with developmental disabilities. TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kelly 0:05 So welcome to Developmental Disabi…
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DDA talks to Autistic Self-Advocate Margaux Wosk
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23:57
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Margaux Wosk is an Autistic person and a staunch self-advocate who runs their own business. TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kelly 0:06 Welcome to Developmental Disabilities Association's Encouraging Abilities podcast. We're here to chat with members of our neurodiverse community. I'm your host, Evan Kelly. Whether it's talking about new government policies or new…
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DDA speaks with Krystian Shaw, publisher of the Kamloops Self Advocate
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17:25
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Krystian Shaw was never expected to read or write. With dogged determination and a steel resolve, he is now the publisher of a 12-page newsletter he distributes in Kamloops B.C. TRANSCRIPT: Evan Kelly 0:03 Welcome to DDA's encouraging abilities podcast. I'm Evan Kelly. And our goal is to make our stories more accessible to enlighten people as to wh…
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