FULL TRANSCRIPT AND IMAGE OF MCGILL HERE

On today’s episode we’re talking about a tough problem.

And, trigger warning, it contains general information about sexual assault by and against people with intellectual disabilities.

While people with intellectual disabilities are seven times more likely to be sexually assaulted as the general population, at times they commit sexual crimes as well. So we’re talking with a passionate and experienced Pittsburgh social worker who’s helping people learn how to avoid committing sex crimes, how to avoid being victimized themselves, and how to thrive in their relationships. It’s a job few others are doing.

This season of A Valid Podcast we’re looking at how to support people with intellectual disabilities to live with greater safety and inclusion in the community. Obviously when people commit crimes, it’s a strike against social inclusion.

The most significant factor for someone with an intellectual disability to commit such a crime is if they themselves were previously abused. from the U.S. Justice Department found that nearly a quarter of all prisoners–not just those committing sex offenses–may have intellectual, cognitive or learning disabilities. This figure represents the number of prisoners who said they took special education classes.

A Valid Podcast comes to you from the All-Abilities Media Project. And from interviews to music, and cover art for this podcast, the majority of us producing this work have one or more disabilities. Others on the team don't identify as having disabilities. Halle Stockton, of the news outlet PublicSource edited for this podcast. You can also find full transcripts and great photos of A Valid Podcast’s subjects at publicsource.org. PublicSource has been a great collaborator in covering the disability community, beginning with the multimedia project ADA at 30: Accessibility in Pittsburgh.

Liz Reid of Jeweltone Productions is our audio engineer and sound designer. Disability advocates Dr. Rachel Kallem Whitman and Erin Gannon consulted on the content of this podcast.

Mick Fisher, with Creative Citizen Studios, created our cover art. George Casselberry shared some of his original harmonica and other music with us. Jane Ondrusek, accompanist with the Woodlands Foundation played piano.

The All-Abilities Media Project is based at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. CMI director Dr. Andrew Conte is a co-executive of the podcast, along with Jennifer Szweda Jordan. Jennifer publishes Unabridged Press and manages All-Abilities Media. Learn more at allabilitiesmedia.org

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