Ability Radio

Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands and two pioneering artists, Elisa McKay and Pedra Chaffers, who showcased their two-woman art exhibition "Fabric and Silhouettes: Generational Synergy". The discussion highlights their artistic evolution, the inspiration they draw from the Virgin Islands, and their journey from educators to celebrated artists. Elisa McKa...

(Part 1 of 2) Join Amelia Headley LaMont on Ability Radio as she engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Paula Whatley Matabane, exploring the compelling life story of her grandmother, Ione Davis, and the memoir she penned in 1948 detailing the resilience and struggles from the sharecropping farms of South Georgia. As the granddaughter of formerly enslaved people, Davis’s narrative unfolds aga...

Join host Kishma B. Francis for the crucial topic of technology-facilitated sexual assault with special guest Ms. Simona Thomas, an expert in education and psychology. This conversation sheds light on how digital platforms can be misused for harassment and exploitation, putting victims in emotionally distressing situations. Learn about the various forms of online sexual violence, including non-con...

Host Kishma B. Francis and guests Dr. Muria Nisbett, and Destiny Samuel discuss grief by sharing personal stories and advice on how grief impacts children and adults. They explore various types of grief, such as losing a loved one or facing life changes like ending relationships, changing jobs, and moving. This episode offers valuable tips on supporting ourselves and others in times of sadness. It...

Join Amelia Headley-Lamont and teacher Diane Collingwood on Ability Radio as they talk about a cool journey from dance to farming. Diane shares her amazing story of becoming the first woman to graduate in farming from the University of the Virgin Islands. She loves to change how we teach farming and wants to help young people get involved.   You’ll learn about how important women are in farming, w...

Join Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands for an important talk about help for finding and keeping jobs. Special guest Kimberly Washington from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and her team members, Reneta Adjodha and Rifkah Deane, share how they help students with disabilities move from school to good jobs. Learn how important it is to support people with di...

This episode of Ability Radio delves into the experiences of longtime U.S. Virgin Islands residents, Lad and Lisa Wallace, as they discuss the challenges of surviving both hurricanes and wildfires. With the host, Amelia Headley-Lamont of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, the Wallaces share their experiences of evacuating during a massive wildfire in California and the lessons the...

Welcome to the 2024 year-end episode of Ability Radio, hosted by Angus Drigo, Executive Director of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. This special episode features conversations with key team members: Archie Jennings, Shammi Carr, and Kishma Francis, who share insights into the organization's mission and activities throughout the year. The discussion highlights the importance of...

In this episode of Ability Radio, host Amelia Hedley-Lamont of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands engages in a powerful conversation with Kalyn Fahie, an advocate, author, and training & technical assistance manager for Ujima - the National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community. Kalyn shares her personal journey from surviving domestic violence to becoming a b...

Join host Amelia Hedley-Lemont in this episode about the integral roles of the University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) and the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. Guests Shamika Thomas, MPH, CCHW, Executive Director of VIUCEDD, and Shammi Carr, DRCVI Advocate, discuss how these organizations serve the broader community by providing essential services and...

Welcome to Ability Radio, hosted by Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Sonia Taylor-Griffith, a dedicated pediatric dentist serving the communities of St. Thomas and St. Croix. Dr. Griffith sheds light on the prevalent issue of dental decay among children in the territory and discusses how dietary habits, especially...

In this captivating episode of Ability Radio, host Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands welcomes a special guest, Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs. Dr. Gumbs, a renowned author and self-proclaimed queer black feminist love evangelist, discusses her latest work, "Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde." The conversation delves into Dr. Gumbs' unique...

As the upcoming election day on November 5th approaches, we are pleased to have Caroline Fawkes, the Supervisor of Elections, as our guest to discuss essential voting information. Caroline shares updates on voting centers across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, emphasizing the new accessibility features and the importance of early voting. In this previously recorded episode, we discuss the abs...

In this episode, host Kishma B. Francis dives into the topic of healthy gaming with special guest Dr. Alok Kanojia, a psychiatrist and founder of Healthy Gamer. Dr. Kanojia, a recovering video game addict, shares his insights on how gaming can become an addiction and offers valuable advice on how parents and teachers can help children develop a balanced relationship with video games. He discusses...

Welcome to "Ability Radio," hosted by Angus Drigo and brought to you by the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. In this episode, we sit down with Ms. Caribel Leyva-Romero, Community Engagement Program Coordinator for the Veterans Health Administration. Together, they discuss the importance of suicide prevention and the broader healthcare needs of veterans in the Virgin Islands. Ms. Rom...

Join host Kishma B. Francis on Ability Radio, presented by the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, as she delves into part two of an insightful conversation about the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) community program. This episode features Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne, the 2024 Vanguard Award recipient and Director for the State Office of Emergency Medical Services, nurse practitioner...

Welcome to a special episode of Ability Radio, brought to you by the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. Join host Kishma B. Francis as she sits down with three extraordinary women: Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne, Kami Mead, and Dawn O'Bryan, to discuss the impactful Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program. Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne, the Director of the State Office of Emergency Medica...

Welcome to this episode of Ability Radio, brought to you by the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. Join hosts Kishma B. Francis and guest Dr. Trisha Harris as they delve into the crucial topic of hygiene and its various aspects. Dr. Harris, a medical provider serving St. Croix and St. Thomas, provides a comprehensive overview of personal, environmental, and sleep hygiene. Learn the im...

Join Amelia Hedley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands as she hosts Alecia Wells, Chairwoman of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections. This episode of Ability Radio dives into the critical role of the Board of Elections, the voting process, and exciting changes aimed at making voting more accessible and engaging for everyone. Learn about the structure of the Board, the i...

Welcome to Ability Radio, brought to you by the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. Hosted by Kishma B. Francis, this episode features a special guest, Dawn O'Bryan, an advocate with the Disability Rights Center. Dawn shares her passion for community connection and the multifaceted role of an advocate. Discover the impactful work being done through a public health grant, in collaborati...

In this episode, hosted by Kishma B. Francis, we dive into the significance of ADA Month with special guest Shammi Carr, a seasoned advocate at the Disability Rights Center. Shammi takes us through the rich history of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), highlighting its evolution from the early struggles of people with disabilities to the modern-day achievements and ongoing challenges. She...

Welcome to Ability Radio, brought to you by the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. Today, host Angus Drago engages in a compelling discussion with Brandy Brooks, Prevention Coordinator at The Village, VI Partners in Recovery. The Village is the only residential treatment facility for substance use disorder in the Virgin Islands, offering crucial support for individuals from Water Isla...

Kishma Francis delves into the wonderful world of the Virgin Islands Children's Museum with Amber McCammon, the Executive Director of Facilities and Programs. Amber shares an insightful overview of the museum, highlighting its interactive play spaces that foster family engagement and the various programs that reach children and families throughout the territory. Discover the exciting Youth Art Mon...

Troy De Chabert-Schuster, the State Director for AARP Virgin Islands, and our host, Amelia Headly Lamont, share the impactful work AARP is doing in the Virgin Islands. AARP focuses on advocacy and community outreach to empower individuals as they age. We discuss AARP's nonpartisan stance and initiatives, including anti-ageism legislation, anti-elder abuse measures, and guardianship reform. Troy al...

Virgin Islands Housing Authority Resident Wellness and Empowerment Program Director Emmanuella Perez-Cassius and Marketing Specialist Kurtice Lewis discuss the programs that ensure VIHA residents experience wellness. They connect their residents to the programs and services available through VIHA and their partners and empower residents to advocate for themselves and their communities. They discus...