Encouraging Abilities Podcast

In this episode, we connect with North Vancouver mom, author, and advocate Carmen G. Farrell. From driving change in her son's school to continuing to champion advocacy, it's proof that inclusion doesn't just create allies, it creates bonds that stand the test of time.

Max Brault was instrumental in helping create the Accessibility Canada Act. While he admits we might not hit the lofty goal of a completely accessible Canada by 2040, the future for people with disabilities remains bright. We caught up with him to talk about his book, "The Race to the Starting Line."

The federal government wants to cut 15% in spending for certain programs and services. Advocates are concerned about people with disabilities losing their jobs before anyone else. We chat with Rabia Khedr, National Director of Disability Without Poverty, about disability employment and the new Canada Disability Benefit.

Navigating this often troubled world can be difficult. As an Autistic person who sees things differently, it can be an obstacle course when it comes to even the simple things like making friends. To build herself up and understand her place in the world is the author and person with autism, Keara Farnan.

ARFID - Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder can affect neurodiverse populations more often than typically developed individuals. In this podcast, we chat with Lauren Hershfield and Elise Fairey, who lead a team of experts in diet and nutrition with their business “The Feeding Group”. Their team supports families who have the disorder to lead happier and healthier lives. 

Making a movie is tough. Making one about one's life experiences through the lens of autism, even tougher. We caught up with Austin Wolf, writer and producer of an upcoming independent film, Wally Jackson and the Probability of Love and Car Accidents, which he hopes adds to the greater understanding of the neurodiversity community. And, you know, reaching for your goals and all that...

From writing blogs for the Canadian Down Syndrome Society to planning an autobiography, CDSS Awareness Leader, Paul Sawka does it all. We caught up with the staunch self-advocate in Calgary.

Receiving the news that your unborn child has Down syndrome can be a shock to parents. In this Encouraging Abilities podcast, we chat with author Adelle Purdham and her emotionally driven book about what it's like as a parent raising a child with the condition, and how most issues are created largely within ourselves.

Not your typical high school students. Jora Singh Nahal and Inbal Tzafrir are motivated and atruistic. The pair of award-winning students are developing applications to benefit the disability community.

Mike Shoreman was a regular guy running a paddle-boarding business in Ontario until Ramsay Hunt syndrome struck him down and forced him to re-evaluate his life. Since then he has become a staunch advocate for the disability and mental health communities, showing how overcoming adversity is in all of us. TRANSCRIPT Evan: so welcome back to DDA encouraging abilities podcast. I am your host. DDA comm...

Roz Maclean is a wonderful artist who hails from the Comox Valley. She has turned her passion and vision into a successful line of children's books that teach inclusion and diversity. www.rozmaclean.com     TRANSCRIPT   Evan: welcome back to DDA encouraging abilities podcast. I'm your host. DDA communications manager Evan Kelly, today, we're talking with Roz McLean now Roz is a local award winning...

Inspired by her son, a Langley mom creates a book to help people with cognitive delays navigate daily life.    TRANSCRIPT Evan: Welcome back to DDA. Is encouraging abilities podcast. I am your host. DDA, communications, manager, manager, Evan Kelly joining me in the studio, which is, of course, is always a nice change over the phone. Is Stevie artemenko, am I getting your name? Stevie: Very, very...

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.

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 we talk a lot about accessibility on this podca...

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 your host DDA communications manager, Evan Kelly...

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 podcast, where we talk about all things related...

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 Communications Manager, Evan Kelly. Now with me today is...

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 podcast. I'm your host, DDA Communications Ma...

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 Spaces in Between   00:07 Welcome back to another...

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 Russia With Love   00:07 It's time again for DDA...

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 Communications Manager, Evan Kelly. Today we're talk...

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.

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 DDA's Encouraging Abilities podcast where we...

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 podcast.   TRANSCRIPT   Jamie Dri Success Story: Cele...

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 podcast. I'm your host, DDA Communications Ma...