Ability Radio

Host Angus Drigo speaks with Terrell Alexandre, Deputy Supervisor of Elections for St. Croix, about the primary and general 2026 elections. They cover early voting schedules and locations, registration options (online and in-person), absentee ballots, and contact information for election offices, including their website. The episode emphasizes accessibility for voters with disabilities, explaining...

This episode explains the differences between guardianship and self-determination, outlines the guardianship court process, and explores less restrictive options like supported decision‑making and powers of attorney. Hosts Kishma B. Francis and Jasmine Barmer share practical guidance on when to begin planning, how families can advocate during the IEP transition process, and where to find local sup...

This episode of Ability Radio explains special education services, IEP teams and timelines, and the difference between an IEP diploma and a general high school diploma. Hosts Kishma B. Francis, Esq., VIPTI Director, and Jasmine Barmer, J.D., advocate and former teacher, speak with advocate and author Rebecca Russell about eligibility, accommodations, transition planning, and how parents can advoca...

Host Amelia Headley-Lamont speaks with Vanessa Hinds, Veteran, founder, and instructor of Bead on a Wire , about how jewelry making helped her manage chronic pain and grew into a thriving St. Croix studio. Vanessa describes her classes and workshops—wire wrapping, chain mail, beading, polymer clay—along with free Wednesday classes for seniors and veterans, jewelry clinics for students, and social...

This episode features Genevieve Whitaker, president and co-founder of the Virgin Islands Youth Advocacy Coalition and executive director of the Virgin Islands Board for Career and Technical Education . She discusses the coalition’s work uniting youth ages 14–30, civic education, voter engagement, and intergenerational projects like the Digital Bridge Initiative . The conversation also covers upcom...

Author and activist James Harrington discusses lessons from The Texan Civil Rights Project Texas Civil Rights Project, emphasizing the critical importance of local voting, organized house meetings, and creative grassroots tactics to win lasting change — from better judges to accessible public spaces. He highlights community policing reforms, ways to engage young leaders, the supportive role lawyer...

Mixed-media artist Rebecca Robinson shares how a Creative Renewal residency at CMC Arts in St. Croix helped her heal after her father’s passing and reignited her creativity, inspired in part by learning to scuba dive and her love of the ocean. Rebecca describes teaching children storytelling through eco-conscious sculpture projects, guiding teens in entrepreneurship and branding, and reflecting on...

Amelia Headly-LaMont interviews James Harrington - lawyer, activist, adjunct professor, and author - bout his decades of community organizing, landmark litigation, and building the Texas Civil Rights Project. Harrington discusses organizing farm workers in Texas and Michigan, winning workers' compensation and unemployment coverage, advancing ADA access, and the enduring power of house meetings ove...

Host Kishma B. Francis interviews Diana Autin, Senior Program Director at SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, about the vital role parents play as advocates for children and youth with disabilities. They discuss practical advocacy skills, the importance of support groups, and top resources like ParentCenterHub.org , disability-specific organizations, and local services through the Disability Rights Cent...

Host Kishma B. Francis interviews Tarik McMillan of Greater Changes about their Bright Path Wellness Center, community programs, and plans to expand mental health and wellness services across the Virgin Islands. The episode highlights fitness and wellness classes, family events, the new DARRI Book Club literacy initiative, efforts to reduce stigma around mental health, and how residents can access...

Coach Kie Ransom Mahler shares her lifelong journey as a swimmer and instructor, the importance of Black representation in aquatic education, and how swimming can boost brain development and confidence. She explains practical water-safety tips, the silent nature of drowning, local lifeguard resources, and community challenges like water quality and marine protection. Learn about adaptive classes f...

In this episode of Ability Radio, Dr. Julia Sheen, Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence, discusses the rising diabetes rates in the territory, prevention strategies, community outreach, and the Center’s services including mobile screenings, nutrition classes, medication management, pediatric care, and telemedicine. She emphasizes cultural factors, the importance o...

You are listening to Ability Radio with Amelia Headley Lamont and guests Angus Drigo, Kishma Francis, and Archie Jennings of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. They outline 2026 priorities for DRCVI and the VI Parent Training Institute (VIPTI) , one of nearly 100 parent training and information centers in the United States. The plans include teen mental health initiatives, youth e...

In this episode, Amelia Headly-LaMont speaks with Monique Bute, Director of the Virgin Islands Association for Independent Living (Center for Independent Living), about the independent living movement and the center’s mission to promote civil rights and independence for people with disabilities. They outline the center’s five core services—advocacy, independent living skills training, information...

Hosts Amelia Headley-Lamont and guests Angus Drigo (Executive Director), Archie Jennings (Assistant Executive & Litigation Director), and Kishma Francis (Project Director) recap the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands’ work in 2025. The episode covers the center’s advocacy mission, ADA enforcement, monitoring visits, the mental health consent decree, employment initiatives, and comm...

Host Amelia Headly Lamont interviews Rebekah Kubla, communications manager at the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, about her role since joining in 2023. They discuss social media algorithms and media bias, the power of plain language, recent advances in sign language access, and how AI and assistive technologies can both improve accessibility and raise privacy concerns. 

Amelia Headly Lamont interviews Rudean Leinaeng, a chemist, college professor, and author, about her life in science, her teaching and research (including work on lead in Bronx Zoo animals), and a film her son is making, "My Mother, the Scientist," to inspire more people of color to enter STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). They also discuss Rudean’s writing, including the novella "...

Host Amelia Headley LaMont interviews Yvonne Petersen, Executive Director of Beyond Visions Foundation, about her decades of nonprofit leadership, grant writing and training, and efforts to build local capacity across the U.S. Virgin Islands. They discuss practical tips for aligning missions with funders, preparing competitive grant applications, the importance of collaboration, and special educat...

Archie Jennings and Shammi Carr discuss National Disability Employment Awareness Month , explaining employer-focused resources such as ODEP , JAN , EARN , and EEOC guidance on reasonable accommodation and return-to-work strategies. They also outline services for job seekers and beneficiaries — Vocational Rehabilitation , Department of Labor , Ticket to Work ,  Island Therapy Solutions , and My Bro...

This episode features Cancer Support VI's Barb Michaud (President/CEO), Anna Holley (Director of Operations), and patient advocate Anique Harrigan discussing Pinktober awareness events, community outreach, volunteer efforts, and how listeners can get help or get involved. For assistance, contact the patient advocate at 340-514-8647 or visit cancersupportvi.org. Over 450 new cancer cases are diagno...

Attorney Kishma B. Francis speaks with Dr. Juan Christian about Tutu Park Mall’s “Community Connectivity” efforts, and the importance of community collaboration and creating a space for agencies to share resources.  They discuss the power of partnerships—schools, nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers—to provide resources, raise awareness, and create emotionally and culturally safe spaces for resi...

Dr. Muria Nisbett and Destiny Samuels speak about intentional self-care, mental health awareness, and practical strategies to prevent burnout — from daily small practices and respite for caregivers to normalizing therapy and checking in with others during Suicide Prevention Month and hurricane season. Listeners receive tips for parents, teachers, and community members, and are directed to the Disa...

Wilfred Labiosa, CEO of Waves Ahead , discusses building community-based mental health and support services, including housing, for older adults and the LGBT community across Puerto Rico. He explains how Waves Ahead is working to solve problems through the organization’s hurricane relief work, reconstruction, the creation of regionally located centers, and ongoing research into anxiety, depression...

Host Amelia Headley-Lamont talks with Jim Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project , about his new memoir and decades of organizing and litigation for farmworkers, students, people with disabilities, and communities. Harrington reflects on victories, setbacks, and lessons for activists and lawyers working to protect civil and disability rights. His new book, " The Texas Civil Rights P...

In this episode, Archie Jennings, Esq., talks with Lawanda Cook, PhD, CRC, Senior Extension Associate at Cornell’s Yang Tan Institute and content specialist for the Northeast ADA Center. They explain the ADA Trainer Leadership Network (TLN), a free train‑the‑trainer program with 57 modules that builds local capacity to teach ADA rights and responsibilities across employment, public services, publi...