Advocating for Change: DSPs, Disability Policy, and Building Bridges in Washington, DC

Join us for a special edition of the DirectLine Podcast as our executive director, Bethany Toledo-McCray is featured on Episode 92 of the NickSpeaks Podcast where they talk about Advocating for Change: DSPs, Disability Policy, and Building Bridges in Washington, DC.In this episode, Nick Comstock sits down with Bethany Toledo and Aaron Mendoza to talk all things disability policy, advocacy, and the real work happening behind the scenes. Bethany is the Executive Director of Lighthouse COVE and this is her second appearance on the program.Aaron Mendoza works with Open Door Columbus as a theater coordinator for their theater and arts program while also working as a DSP. He’s been in the field for two years, and this was actually his first podcast appearance ever.Back in March, Bethany and Aaron traveled to Washington, DC to meet with lawmakers and discuss disability policy issues directly with the leaders helping shape our country. We talk about those meetings, fair DSP compensation, leadership programs, advocacy, technology, and why it’s so important that the disability community is willing to talk to both sides politically if we truly want to see change happen.Nicolas Comstock was born with congenital CMV and bilateral optic atrophy — conditions that affect his vision and require a wheelchair for mobility. He's spent his life learning that disability is not the obstacle most people assume it is. The obstacles are the assumptions.Today Nick speaks to corporate teams, nonprofits, schools, and churches on disability advocacy, inclusion that goes beyond compliance, and the kind of resilience that doesn't come from a TED Talk — it comes from waking up in a body that doesn't follow the rulebook and choosing to show up anyway.He hosts The Nick Speaks Podcast, where he interviews guests living unconventional lives and tells the stories that don't make the highlight reel.