The PRIDES Podcast

Nick Burton has over 25 years of experience working in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities focusing on programmatic design, implementation, and evaluation.   He discusses how we can help our organizations be more inclusive and welcoming for everyone by creating a sense of belonging, building fair policies, and providing better services for LGBTQ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.     Episode Resources:   Learn More About Wise Here   Learn More About Oregon APSE Here   Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here   Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here   Watch the Full Episode with Video on Youtube Here

The Neurodiversity Community faces many challenges in employment and community engagement, and leadership models are often in conflict with neurodiversity authenticity. Jillian Nelson discusses how we can reframe leadership theories and lean into neurodiversity as a valuable tool for leadership rather than an impairment.   Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here Watch the Full Episode with Video on Youtube Here

Nicole Adler is a speaker, human rights advocate, and host. She is a two-time governor-appointed council member of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities and made history as the first Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride with Down syndrome. Nicole Adler discusses building communities of support for LGBTQ+ people with down syndrome and other disabilities. LGBTQ+ people with disabilities is a segment of the population that needs more awareness and support at all levels – from our local communities and on state, national and global scales. She aims to amplify the authenticity and voices of LGBTQ people with disabilities and empower them to get involved in advocacy, be brave, share their story and to become the best version of themselves.   Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here

Daniel Ensley (he/they) is a queer, transmasculine person of color whose identity and lived experiences deeply inform his work and provide a unique perspective on issues related to equity. As a member of the QTIPOC (Queer, Trans, Intersex People of Color) community, Daniel is especially passionate and committed to equity in his personal and professional life and works to uplift and support those most impacted by oppressive systems. Daniel works with Oasis Youth Center, the only LGBTQ+ youth center in Pierce County, Washington, and provides leadership, prevention, and advocacy programs for youth aged 11–24.   Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here  

Nancy Peterson (they/them) is a Disability Services Accessibility Specialist with Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington, and a member of the Oregon Disabilities Commission. Having been born both autistic and with a rare degenerative brain disease that took 22 years to diagnose, they learned how to advocate for themselves and were moved to help others do the same. They are a speaker, teacher, writer, artist, and activist. They discuss some of the thought processes that lead to accommodations in a variety of environments and the importance of individualization.   Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here Watch the Full Episode with Video on Youtube Here   

Thomas Mangrum Jr. is a leader of the DC disability advocacy coalition and is an active advocate in the gay community. He helps trains lawyers, Georgetown University medical students, and disability professionals to know how to best support people with disabilities. He is a strong advocate for affordable and accessible housing for people with developmental disabilities, accessibility in neighborhoods, and transportation. In this conversation he discusses the importance of both advocacy and acceptance.   Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here Watch the Full Episode with Video on Youtube Here 

Hannah Voss (they/she) is a Program Manager at Work Opportunities in Washington State and has worked in supported employment since 2016. They share their perspectives from both lived experience as a queer and gender-non-conforming employee as well as their professional experience providing advocacy and support to LGBTQIA+ individuals with disabilities.   Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here Watch the Full Episode with Video on Youtube Here 

Pauline Bosma is the founder and coordinator of the Rainbow Support Groups of MA for LGBTQ+ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She writes and teaches about the LGBTQ+ disability community and helps people with disabilities learn to recognize, respond to, and report abuse.   Dr. Oscar Hughes conducts research about gender, sexuality, and disability. He is currently a postdoc at UMass Boston studying neurodiversity-affirming practices to support autistic students. He also teaches educators and leads training on sexuality and disability.   Together their research team interviewed 23 LGBTQ+ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from across the US and they share what they have learned about how LGBTQ+ adults with disabilities want to be treated and supported.     Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here Watch the Full Episode with Video on Youtube Here

Arc Telos Saint Amour (they/them) is a neurodivergent, autistic, disabled, queer and trans, Two-Spirit, gender non-conforming person of Mexican Indigenous descent (Coahuiltecan), and a victim/survivor of childhood trauma who deeply believes self-agency and bodily autonomy. Arc Telos spent ten years as an executive leader in the non-profit field, leading organizations throughout the nation centering Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) practices and using trauma-informed and intersectionality-based frameworks.   Employment opportunities have always been limited for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and opportunities for safe and affirming workplaces for disabled 2SLGBTQIA+ folks are even lower to almost nonexistent.   Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here Watch the Full Episode with Video on Youtube Here

Lindsay Piper (she/her) is a sexuality educator and advocate, currently working as a sexual assault prevention specialist with the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities community.   She examines the historical and systemic barriers to sexual liberation for individuals with disabilities and the importance of comprehensive sexuality education in promoting positive sexuality and healthy relationships.   Episode Resources: Learn More About Wise Here Learn More About Oregon APSE Here Learn More About Oregon Department of Human Services Here Learn More About Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services Here Watch the Full Episode with Video on Youtube Here

In this trailer episode, host Wally Tablit introduces The PRIDES Podcast—a miniseries dedicated to amplifying the voices of queer individuals with disabilities and those advocating for change. Wally shares what to expect in this series, from powerful personal stories to expert insights on advocacy, workplace equity, and community belonging.  Brought to you by Wise in collaboration with Oregon APSE and sponsored by the Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.