THINK+change Podcasts

Students with disabilities, parents, and teachers often must navigate barriers to learning so that the student can succeed. The additional challenge of inappropriate behavior in school creates an additional barrier, not just to the student’s learning, but the entire classroom as well. With limited resources, this can be one of the biggest challenges our schools face.   Kim Kelleher, Speech Languag...

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...

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 fron...

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-a...

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 o...

There is a lot to consider when a child receives a new diagnosis for an intellectual/developmental disability (IDD). For caregivers, families, and even providers, the conversations and planning can be overwhelming!   If you have received a new diagnosis, or maybe you are interested in beginning the process, use this podcast episode featuring Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Lauren Mowrey, to under...

When someone becomes a victim of a crime, a long and often overwhelming process towards justice begins. It can be extremely difficult and taxing for anyone but when people with disabilities, especially those with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), enter this process, barriers and systemic failures might mean that they never get to see the justice they deserve. This documentary exposes...

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an often-overlooked diagnosis for many people, but it’s important to spread awareness to help those who need it get the correct supports. Hear from Marilyn Fausset, who is the Chair of the FASD Awareness Work Group at Illuminate Colorado , as she discusses her family’s journey to the diagnosis and all that she’s learned since!

When it comes to supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, particularly with autism, it’s important to work hard to find the right path. A common therapy that many families and individuals utilize, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) can be a very helpful tool in ensuring safety and success in community spaces.   However, is it the best choice (or only choice) to help someone wit...

What does it really take for a medical facility to be truly accessible? Not just in design, but in attitude, system, and practice. Through the lived experiences of patients like Chris Layne, who saw her access to care shift dramatically after becoming a wheelchair user, and Dawn Russell, with a lifetime of experience with a developmental disability, who finally experienced equitable care at Tepeya...

Service animals improve the quality of life for people with disabilities every day! And, as rights and protections have expanded over the years, they have become more common in public. Yet, there is a lot of misinformation and questions around service animals. Barbara Henry, Executive Director and Lead Trainer of  Domino Service Dogs , knows that education is the first step to creating a better so...

Leidy Medrano es una defensora apasionada de su hijo, hace poco diagnosticado de trastorno del espectro autista. En este episodio del pódcast, Leidy comparte su viaje de convertirse en la voz de su hijo y descubrir su propia defensa.   Los padres y las familias son a veces los defensores más fuertes en la vida de un niño. Desde sus ideas sobre cómo ser persistente y eficaz en el mundo de la discap...

Self-advocacy is about knowing yourself and standing up for yourself! Not many people can speak to the importance of self-advocacy more than people with disabilities.   This episode of the THINK+change 2025 podcasts features Romi Shannon, a person with a disability who grew into being her most powerful advocate. Hear directly from Romi about how she took control of her life and stood up for hersel...

Don’t be ashamed to ask for help! Many people with disabilities, caregivers, and families rely on disability programs due to the added challenges in their lives that others do not face. These programs can include financial assistance, daily living supports, healthcare, and much more.   These programs go beyond being a safety net; they are often a lifeline ! Without this support, many people could...

Listen in for a heartfelt conversation about resilience, advocacy, and the power of love in parenting. Kevin’s story reminds us that, with the right supports, and when you put your mind to something, you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

Julian Wang, a dedicated self-advocate, has achieved significant milestones in his career and emphasizes that employers should view people with disabilities for their talents and contributions—not just the accommodations they may require.   In this month’s THINK+change podcast, we spoke with Julian to hear about his personal experiences in the workforce as a person with a disability. He shares pow...

Hillary Jorgensen, Co-Executive Director of Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition , joins THINK+change this month for a fascinating conversation about disability policy advocacy. As a person with a disability, she has had an eye for social justice earlier than most. Hear directly from Hillary about her work in the disability policy space, how those efforts affect the everyday lives of the disability...

People with disabilities are a powerful force in our democratic system! And when government policies and systems impact daily living across the disability community, it is vital to exercise the right to vote. This storytelling TALKS series, The Power of the Disability Vote is a call to action from advocates with legal, government, and lived experiences.

As the world becomes more digital by the day, access to communities and resources expands—but only for those with the technology to reach them. Without internet access, many find themselves isolated from essential services. Digital equity ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully engage with digital content.

Elizabeth Moran, JD, from The Arc of Colorado , joins us in this episode of the THINK+change podcast/vodcast to discuss why accessible travel should really matter to everyone. With barriers to accessible transportation being a key focus in disability advocacy today, Elizabeth shares her valuable expertise on outstanding needs and paths towards progress in transportation!

“We haven’t been hearing a lot of disabled folks’ stories, and those are some of the most important, most interesting stories in the world,” says Ben Raanan, Artistic Director of Phamaly Theatre, a local Denver theatre for artists with disabilities, who joins THINK+change for this month’s podcast.   The stories we consume shape so much of our perception and narrative of the world around us, which...

When law enforcement is called out to a crisis involving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the situation is complicated. Communication challenges, a lack of training, and a misunderstanding of someone’s disability, can all lead to unfortunate challenging outcomes.   From THINK+change, Building Bridges: People with Disabilities and Law Enforcement is series of mini-docu...

For so many, art is the opportunity for growth through expression, communication, and building confidence. It creates communities, jobs, and so much more. And yet the pathway to pursuing the arts is left out of the conversation for so many people with disabilities.   We sat down with Jaime Lewis, RTD (Regional Transportation District) Director for District A in Denver, Transit Advisor for CCDC (Co...