THINK+change Podcasts

Beck Williers is a 23-year-old young man with an exciting life ahead of him. His transition into adulthood did not happen overnight but came through a journey of self-advocacy and community-building. Resilient from the day he was born, Beck and his family show what it takes to create a life full of endless possibilities and finding success through joy.

Our community is full of people with disabilities, caregivers, advocates, and more that give their all to fighting for a better world and quality of life. Developing resiliency and regulating our nervous systems are key skills to sustaining ourselves through obstacles and disappointment.   Xana Itzel Peña Velázquez, trauma-sensitive yoga teacher and certified Reiki Master, joins THINK+change this month to break down the important things we can do to sustain ourselves and get back to the basics of our own care!

The term “neurodiversity” (or “neurodivergent”) pops up everywhere these days! And, within the disability world, we interact with so many labels to describe people, oftentimes medical terminology and diagnoses. But, what happens when a label comes from lived experience and community opinion, rather than the medical system?

People with disabilities deserve to live in the most integrated setting in the community possible. And, they deserve to be protected and safe while doing so. From host homes to independent living options, safety and regulations look different but still have significant challenges to protecting this vulnerable population. Jack Johnson, Public Policy Liaison at Disability Law Colorado is on the front lines of fighting for legislation to improve regulation and safety of paid caregiving in the state of Colorado. Tune in for his informed perspective on these nuanced conversations!

This is the inspiring and emotional story of what can happen when a disability community comes together to use their voice for change. Through following the Colorado state legislation, HB25-1017 (Community Integration Plan for Individuals with Disabilities), this documentary features the voices of local changemakers with disabilities and allies in leadership. With lived experiences at the front-and-center, this community will motivate you to be the change you want to see!

Students in Special Education deserve to be considered and planned for in school safety operations. In this conversation, THINK+change learns about how schools can and do adapt their planning to make sure that all their students will be accounted for in an emergency.   Join us in learning from Brad Stiles, M.A., Emergency Response Outreach Consultant at Colorado Office of School Safety (OSS). He offers his take on where we are at now and what families and school staff should consider when advocating for their Special Education students.

Children experience transitions throughout their school life. However, students with disabilities are more likely to be impacted disproportionately by system silos and educational transitions. This series discusses important transitions in children’s lives including early intervention; elementary, secondary, and transition services; and how we can plan and support children to be prepared for adulthood. This episode is an overview of what to expect from the Children’s Transition series.

This podcast reviews information on the ADA for children in a school setting. Topics include:-ADA overview in schools;-How the ADA applies to the 504 and IEP; and-Differences between ADA, IDEA and FAPE.Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, promote, or prescribe, medical or legal advice. You should consult with your own medical or legal advisors for specific and personalized advice.

This podcast offers a basic overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Topics include:-An overview of the ADA and the 5 titles of the ADA:-Employment (Title I) -Public Services (Title II) -Public Accommodations (Title III) -Telecommunications (Title IV) -Miscellaneous (Title V)Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, promote, or prescribe, medical or legal advice. You should consult with your own medical or legal advisors for specific and personalized advice.

Victims with disabilities and people who support victims with disabilities talk about the impact the crimes of sexual assault, trafficking, financial exploitation, and Medicaid fraud had on themselves/their clients/families. Professionals who respond to each of those crimes also talk about their work and its impact on the lives of victims with disabilities.

Learn how people with disabilities are entitled to have access to vote regardless of disability or guardian, as well what to do if that access is encumbered or denied.

Learn the alphabet soup of resources that support free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities, including IDEA, LRE, IEPs, and 504s. Additionally, learn what to do if you think your education rights are being violated.

Learn about community-focused rights and programs that ensure people with disabilities can live and participate in the community as citizens, as well what to do if those rights are not being upheld.

Learn about laws that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including at work, at school, while using public transportation, and at all other public and private places that are open to the general public. Also, learn what steps to take if discrimination is occurring.

This five-part series (E 6 through E 10) focuses on rights that support access to everyday life and community involvement for people with disabilities. Additionally, the series offers actions that could be used to address rights’ violations and discrimination. This overview talks about the history of rights’ progression and discrimination for people with disabilities and certain disability-centric laws that offer protection against discrimination.

Children with disabilities are more likely than children without disabilities to be propelled into the juvenile justice system. A Colorado education policy expert, a Colorado legislator, a parent, and a behavior expert share their perspectives on that inequity.

What you should know about probation and parole if you are personwith IDDLearn what probation and parole are, what you need to do if you are on eitherone, and what happens when you don’t do what you are supposed to.

What to expect if you are a person with IDD and need publicrepresentation in Colorado’s courtsThis episode includes information on public defenders (PDs) and districtattorneys (DAs): When and how to apply and qualify for a public defender and what toexpect from him/her; What your options are as a defendant if you do not qualify for a publicdefender; and What the role of a DA is and how that person gets involved in your case.

What happens if you, as a person with IDD, are a victim of a crime inColorado’s criminal justice system?In this episode you learn about victim advocates – how to get one and what toexpect of him/her -- as well as what expectations there are of you when you arein court.

What happens if, as a person with IDD, you are a defendant inColorado’s criminal justice system?This episode discusses the following topics: How do you know you have to go to court? What are the expectations of you when you are in court? What might the results of your court appearance be?

Overview: What to expect when you are a person with IDD involved inColorado’s criminal justice systemFind yourself in Colorado’s criminal justice system? This episode providesgeneral information about the differences between municipal and district courts,potential outcomes to expect at court, and interactions with law enforcement.