Disability Exchange

Join Mike Hoenig and Judy Warth as they explore a new program that aims to improve the lives of Iowans living with severe and persistent mental health disorders. Through the promotion of evidence-based practices, the Center for Behavioral Health connects with local mental health providers to explore, improve, and create programs in the areas of Assertive Community Treatment, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Individual Placement and Support.

In this episode Judy Warth interviews Bob Bacon, Dr. Dianne McBrien, Mike Hoenig, and Joanna Sabha about the life and legacy of disability advocate Keith Ruff.

The episode was recorded 10/16/2023

Join Mike and Judy as they chat with Cassie Olmstead and Kaleb Cook about their own experiences navigating the intersection of queer life and disability.

Cassie Olmstead is a doctoral student at the University of Iowa, is part of a neurodivergent family and has a transgendered child. Kaleb Cook is the founder of Cook Inclusive Company, a non-for-profit organization that provides recreational services to the queer, autistic, deaf, and neurodivergent communities within the Fork Valley of Colorado. Kaleb and Cassie will share their firsthand experience navigating the overlap of queer and disability.

Join Mike and Laury as they chat with Dr. Matthew Conaway about his experience with disability, his diverse education, and his advocacy for change in the Iowa Medicaid System.

Dr. Conaway currently lives in Indianola, IA and is a third generation doctor. He has a congenital disability and uses a number of adaptive devices including a wheelchair for mobility and a mouthstick to communicate. His extensive knowledge of the medical field; specifically biomedical engineering, bioethics, and health law along with his lived experience has led Dr. Conaway to be a powerful advocate for change in the disability care system in Iowa.

This podcast was recorded on 4/20/2023

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Mike and Laury as they chat with Judy Warth about what drove her towards a career of positions in the disability arena.

Judy Warth has spent a career working directly with people with disabilities, communities and the people who support them(direct care staff, educators, families and businesses) to develop interdependent communities.  Judy’s work includes:  training of employment professionals, paraprofessionals and others interested in full lives for all people, supporting and engaging people with disabilities in developing their leadership skills, job coaching, job development, facilitating groups, person-centered planning as well as supporting community businesses.  Judy’s passions include quality of life, inclusion, transition, self-advocacy, teaching, community living and employment, new program development and grass roots community building.

This podcast was recorded on 3/13/2023

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Mike and Laury as they chat with State Representative Josh Turek about growing up with a disability, his career as a professional athlete, and the path that brought him to run for public office.

Rep Turek currently represents the 20th district in the Iowa House of Representatives. A "full-time" wheelchair user he lived abroad, played wheelchair basketball on 6 continents, and won multiple medals representing the United States in the Paralympics. Upon retiring from sports, he took a job that highlighted the struggles of individuals to get adapted equipment. He turned his frustration into an opportunity to run for office and successfully won his election campaign. His historic entrance into the Iowa Capital prompted an overhaul in the accessibility of the building and begs the question 'Why is he the first permanently physically disabled person in Iowa politics?'

This podcast was recorded on 4/20/2023

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Mike and Laury as they chat with Falicia Beck about navigating challenging situations and advocating with her children who have disabilities and complex healthcare needs.

Falicia Beck is currently in her last semester at the University of Iowa in the Masters of Social Work program. She has been finishing her program in an advanced practicum with the CDD (Center for Disability and Development), UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities), and the ILEND program (Iowa Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities). Falicia has a passion for working with individuals with disabilities and their families and hopes to empower those who may feel unseen to know every person deserves equal rights and we all have the power to fight injustice. This is an important topic for Falicia, as she has had multiple children with various disabilities, namely a son with a rare brain malformation called lis3, and another son with ADHD, ASD, MDD, and GAD.

This podcast was recorded on 03/06/2023

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Judy and Laury as they chat with Jesse Bumgarner about transition from high school student to an entrepreneur.

JD Bumgarner lives in Spencer, Iowa. He was diagnosed with a mild form of cerebral palsy and is on the autism spectrum, which did not stop him from starting his own business called JD’s Creations. His passion is turning junk metal into unique creations. His mission statement is “Inspiring others while giving junk metal new life.” To access JD Creations website please click on the following link: https://jdsmetalart.com/

This podcast was recorded on 2/27/2023

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Mike and Laury as they chat with Karen Thompson about the overlap between her lived experiences and her professional position in the disability arena.

Karen Thompson is the Executive Director at ASK. She works across all projects and serves on a number of statewide committees representing persons with disabilities and their families in the areas of healthcare and education. Karen has worked in disability advocacy, rehabilitative training/counseling, and public program administration serving people with disabilities professionally for 29 years. She holds a Bachelor's in Psychology. Her family experience with disabilities spans three generations. She is the daughter of a stroke survivor, the mother of two children with ADHD, and a person with dyslexia. She sees her disability as an attribute and challenges others to do the same.

To access the ASK resource website please click on the following link: https://www.askresource.org/

This podcast was recorded on 12/13/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Caitlin and Mike as they chat with Jackie Nau about her experiences with being diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome as well as her role in advocating for disability rights in Iowa and beyond.

Jackie Nau has had Tourette Syndrome, OCD, ADHD, and anxiety since age 6 although she was not diagnosed until 22 years of age. After caring for her medically fragile child with disabilities for 12 years and then losing him, she has dedicated her life to working with and advocating for persons with disabilities. Ms. Nau lives in Cedar Rapids and recently retired from her position as Project Coordinator for Parents as Mentors, which is an integral part of the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) Program. Her role was to connect families of children with disabilities with graduate students in healthcare to give them a better understanding of these families and increase their compassion and empathy. Jackie is a member of the National Tourette Association’s Adult Task Force and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Arc of East Central Iowa and is a former board member of Disability Rights Iowa. She speaks at local schools, colleges, and organizations about living with Tourette Syndrome and comorbid disorders in an effort to educate the general population about this often misunderstood condition. Jackie has a passion for helping children with Tourette’s and their families to navigate accommodations at school along with offering them insight and hope.

This podcast was recorded on 12/06/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Caitlin and Judy as they chat with Michael Vratsinas about his experiences with advocating for disability-focused legislation as well as his commitment to increasing disability representation in council boards.

Michael Vratsinas is a self-advocate. He also works as a special education associate at the Waukee School District. Michael loves to travel. One of his favorite places that he has visited is Iceland.

This podcast was recorded on 11/30/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Mike and Caitlin as they chat with Hugh Kelly about his experiences with getting diagnosed with cerebral palsy later on in life, as an adult, and what pushed him to become an active member of different councils and boards.

Hugh Kelly is a self-advocate living in Sigourney, Iowa.  He serves on the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council where he holds the position of Vice-Chair.  Hugh currently works as a store clerk and as a cashier at Goodwill of Central Iowa's retail store in Ottumwa, Iowa.  His hobbies include gardening, playing video games, and watching professional wrestling. He is also an avid Iowa Hawkeye football and men's basketball fan.  He has two cats, Jerry, who is a ginger cat, and Ginger, who is a pure black cat, which sometimes Hugh calls his mini-panther. He also says that he considers them as his support staff. He then adds:  "I always considered myself to be a fairly independent person, but in being a self-advocate, I have learned about resources to be a better advocate for myself and to speak up when needed when it comes to issues concerning the developmental disability community.  I enjoy helping people speak up for themselves and become better self-advocates."

This podcast was recorded on 11/29/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Judy and Laury as they chat with Laura Schwab about her experiences as a special education teacher and her commitment to building trust and empowering young adults with special needs.

Laura is originally from Cedar Rapids but she has called Iowa City home for the last decade. In addition to being a special education teacher and instructional coach, she is also a proud mom of 2. She is a passionate and relentless advocate for inclusive practices in education and social inclusion. She believes that it all starts with education in and out of the classroom.

https://communityinclusionclub.com/

https://www.generationspirit.org/

This podcast was recorded on 11/15/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Mike and Laury as they chat with Dayrin Lovan about the cultural implications of having a child with special needs and her lived experiences with a disability as an immigrant.

Dayrin Lovan is a community outreach liaison that also works as a local congregational pastor. She has been involved with IC Compassion, which supports underserved communities including immigrants and refugees. Dayrin is a graduate of Iowa’s Leadership Education in Neurological and related Disabilities (LEND) program, where she had the chance to serve as a cultural liaison during the second year of her fellowship. She is also a 2021 Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute graduate. Dayrin is a parent of a son with ASD and is fluent in both Spanish and English. She tells her story: “LEND gave me the privilege to create bridges of opportunity for our community with disabilities which I truly love and respect. My hope is to continue building bridges of understanding together that bring resources and other types of support to our communities. I feel very blessed to be part of this amazing team of hard workers at the UCEDD, LEND, and CDD."

This podcast was recorded on 11/08/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Mike and Caitlin as they chat with James Lee and Laury Scheidler about their lived experiences with a disability.

James Lee is a freshman at a rural community high school who has lived experience with Autism and ADHD. He is an intelligent young man who loves WW2 history and science. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music, running sprints, and pulling an occasional prank. He participates in E-sports and track. 

Laury Scheidler is currently in her last year earning her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Iowa. She is working on her advanced practicum at the UCEDD University of Iowa Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She has a love for supporting and advocating children and families with disabilities. She participated in iLEND Iowa Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities the previous year. She also has lived experience with disability being a mother of a teenage son with Autism and ADHD.

This podcast was recorded on 10/28/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange

Join Mike and Judy as they chat with Kristen Aller about her experiences with living with a disability, her advocacy work as well as her motivation behind helping other people to live independently. 

Kristen Aller is a DD Council Board Member and sits on the ARC of Iowa Board as well as several planning committees.  She began self-advocacy in 10th grade at a parent-teacher conference where she demanded to be given the opportunity to be heard.  Her passion is to be as independent as she can be, to make changes that need to be made, and to advocate for all people to have the same independence despite their disability. 

This podcast was recorded on 03/29/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Mike and Judy as they chat with Michael Martin about his personal experiences with living with a disability and his encounters with different parts and programs of the US healthcare system including but not limited to the nursing homes and Money Follows the Person (MFP) programs.

Michael's journey has been unique from the beginning. The following is his story: 

"I was born early at 27 weeks as a result of complications from a twin pregnancy. My twin, Christopher, was born at 23 weeks. He lived for 1 day but was too young to survive. I was at the University of Iowa and the doctors had never had a case like mine with one twin being born and the other surviving in the womb for 4 more weeks before being born. Another interesting fact is that a new breathing tube had been developed one week before I was born. If that hadn't been the case, I wouldn't have survived my early birth either. I grew up in Fort Dodge and lived there until my dad passed away from cancer. After my dad's passing, my mom and I moved to Carroll where we had family. My older brother, Peter, had already graduated high school and was attending  Iowa Central Community College, so he stayed in Fort Dodge.                                            There's been a lot that got me to where I am today. I have always tried to use the trials in my life as opportunities for growth and learning. I now live in West Des Moines, in an apartment with 2 other roommates. I have 2 jobs that I do remotely, one is for the Olmstead Consumer Task Force, and for the other one I serve as an ambassador for Money Follows the Person (MFP). My brother is married and lives in North Liberty. He is a high school counselor in Iowa City. I am the proud uncle of 2 nephews and 1 niece. My mom lives in Fort Dodge, and she teaches 5th grade and at Iowa Central Community College."

This podcast was recorded on 03/22/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Caitlin and Judy as they chat with Ron Wright about his experiences with Asperger's syndrome and the importance of creating bridges of understanding between the world of disability and that of neurotypicals.

Ron is a para-educator with the Iowa City School District. Ron was a former ILEND Self Advocate trainee and is proud of completing the program at the University of Iowa in May 2019. He was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at the age of 58 in July, 2016. He has lived in the Iowa City community for the past 21 years, with the exception of a few months. After finding a support group for autistic adults, within 3 years he was leading those meetings, acting as a facilitator for three years before turning the leadership over to another member.  In 2012 he appeared on a panel of three to talk about this support group on Local Access TV (https://youtu.be/Wa4Lwgso8nA). Ron enjoys advocating because it allows him to show others that they do have resources and are capable. 

Ron enjoys traveling and recently visited Brazil for four weeks in November 2021, where he learned to construct dome homes using alternative building materials.

This podcast was recorded on 03/15/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Caitlin and Judy as they chat with Geoffrey and his mother Ann Cameron Williams about Geoffrey's passion for photography.

Geoffrey Mikol is 28 years old and he has Down syndrome.  He lives in Galena Illinois where he runs his own business called River Bend Gallery that is on Main Street in Galena. Geoffrey is a photographer and lots of people buy his pictures. He says that the things that are most important to him are family, friends and his dogs. He also likes music. Ann Cameron Williams is Geoffrey’s mom. 

https://www.riverbendgalleries.com/product-page/tidal-pool 

https://www.riverbendgalleries.com/product-page/one-buck

https://www.riverbendgalleries.com/product-page/burning-sky

This podcast was recorded on 03/10/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Mike and Judy as they chat with Greg Fier about his experiences with multiple sclerosis and the importance of building relationships.

Greg Fier is a self-advocate from Clinton, Iowa who has lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1995. He is a wheelchair user who has experienced quadriplegia since 2008. Greg’s formal advocacy began in 2015 when he participated in his first National Multiple Sclerosis Society action day at the Iowa State Capitol. He has since developed working relationships with state and national legislators and become an active spokesperson with Iowa’s #Upgrade Medicaid Initiative and the Iowa Disability and Aging Advocacy Network (IDAN).

In 2014, Greg organized the first Mississippi Walk-N-Roll fund-raiser in partnership with the Clinton MS Support Group. In 2018, he co-founded the Finch Fund, a nonprofit which helps Clinton area residents living with MS maintain independence and quality of life. 

If you would like to contribute to the Bob Finch Memorial Fund:  https://thefinchfund.org/

If you would like to listen to Greg Fier's song Some Silver Lining https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-MnXQftGvw

This podcast was recorded on 03/08/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Caitlin and Mike as they chat with Binh Nguyen about her experiences and opportunities at the University of Iowa as a student with cognitive learning disabilities.

Binh is a third-year student at the University of Iowa REACH program. REACH stands for Realizing Educational and Career Hopes and it is a comprehensive four-year transition program for students ages 18-25 years old with cognitive, intellectual, and learning disabilities. Despite being diagnosed with a cognitive learning disability, Binh continues to be active in the community by participating in a variety of internships with the UI Center for Disabilities and Development, Veterans Affairs Hospital, UI REACH program, University of Iowa, and many more. https://uihc.org/ucedd/iowa-lend

This podcast was recorded on 03/03/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Mike and Judy as they chat with Nathan Albano about his experiences as a neurodivergent individual working, studying, and advocating at the University of Iowa.

Nathan Albano is a student at the University of Iowa in Iowa City who is graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. He is currently the President and former Events Planner of UI Students for Disability Advocacy and Awareness (UISDAA), as well as the Disability Constituency Senator for Iowa's Undergraduate Student Government. After a late diagnosis of ADHD-Inattentive type, he has dedicated himself to helping others access resources, support, and social engagement, as well as spreading the cause of neurodiversity. After he graduates, he hopes to see UISDAA and the wider disability community at Iowa continue their vibrant growth and advocacy, and the eventual formation of a disability cultural center. One day he hopes to earn a PhD in sociology so he can research and thus challenge the constraining forces he has interacted with throughout his life.

This podcast was recorded on 03/01/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Mike and Judy as they chat with Rob Roozeboom about how being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy did not stop him to live a life full of hope, happiness, and success.

Rob Roozeboom is passionate about helping people find Hope! He’s the founder and president of RISE Ministries, Inc. in Sheldon. Rob didn’t let a Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis at age 5 slow his ambitions, as, by 2005, he started RiseFest through RISE Ministries, a Christian Music Festival that now lives in Sheldon and hosts more than 18,000 people over 2 days. Rob also hosts a podcast called Enjoying the Journey and has interviewed pro athletes, authors, psychologists, evangelists, pastors and more.                                                 

In 2001 and 2002, Rob was featured on the National Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Iowa in 2005, and was named a Service to HumanKind Award recipient by Northwestern College in 2008. He now sits on the Christian Festival Association (CFA) board, continues to grow RiseFest and RISE Ministries, and delivers his message of hope nationwide. Rob currently lives in Sheldon with his wife, Sharla, a kindergarten teacher at East Elementary, and 3 kids, their son, Jager (19), and daughters, Riley (16), and Aidan (14).

This podcast was recorded on 03/01/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Mike and Judy as they chat with Brady Werger about his journey of advocacy.

Brady Werger is a self-advocate from Glenwood, Iowa. He uses his first-hand experience living with disabilities to educate others and improve the quality of life for his peers. As a Community Living Ambassador, he encourages individuals with disabilities living in large group facilities to move into communities of their choice by sharing his personal journey. In October 2021, he received the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council’s first annual Mia Peterson Advocacy Award. He currently serves as vice-chair of the Iowa Development Disabilities Council and looks forward to assuming chairmanship in July 2022.

This podcast was recorded on 01/06/2022

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Mike and Judy as they chat with Sydney and Kelly Von Lehmden about experiences and opportunities while living with Down Syndrome.

Kelly Von Lehmden, BBA, is the Training Director for the Iowa Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program at the Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. She also co-facilitates training on providing quality care for people with disabilities and their families for students and practicing professionals. Kelly serves on committees and boards to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. She is a parent of a daughter with a disability and considers it a privilege to work with the students and professionals, to share the life experiences of being a parent of a daughter with Down syndrome.                                                                                             

Sydney Von Lehmden is a self-advocate. Sydney works at Mount Mercy University and her job responsibilities include laundry for their sports teams, custodial work, and special projects. She also works with the Mount Mercy women’s volleyball team and enjoys helping and cheering on the Mustangs. Sydney serves on Cook Inclusive Company’s Board of Directors. She enjoys sports, spending time with family and friends, and public speaking. She continues to teach those around her about hard work, kindness, and dedication. Sydney is rocking the world and wants everyone to know that “Down syndrome is cool!

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Caitlin and Mike as they chat with Jeffrey about his journey of advocacy with People First and other organizations, especially in regard to race and ethnic diversity among people with disabilities.

Jeffrey Johnson is born in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and raised in Sikeston, Missouri, where he graduated from High School in 1990. He is currently working on his associate’s degree through Moberly Community College in Columbia, Missouri. Jeffrey is the Vice President of People First of Boone County and the President of People First in the state of Missouri. He also serves as a Co-chairperson for the (RV and RC) Real Voices and Real Choices for the Department of Mental Health for the Developmental Disabilities side. Jeffrey has been part of the Real Voices and Real Choices Conference Committee since it all began in 2008, and a conference committee board member for 12 years. He also has held the position as the Advocacy Specialist for 12 years at the Columbia Regional Office, to advocate on behalf of self-advocates and their families.

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Caitlin and Judy as they chat with Catherine - Cath - Hahn about the power of families who listen to the voices of their members with disabilities and the struggles of dealing with the system that is in place.

"Catherine Hahn works with the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency in Bettendorf, Iowa. Additionally, Cath also works as an Adjunct Associate Faculty at the University of Iowa Physical Therapy Program as well as Clinical Instructor of Early Access Pediatrics at St. Ambrose University. She became an advocate of people with disabilities after her son Jeffrey developed a disability when he was 5."                      

"Dr. Pixie Plummer is board-certified Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Her academic appointment is as Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the Carver College of Medicine. As a Med-Peds physician with fellowship training in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, she has dedicated more than 20 years to supporting youth and adults with ID/DD across the lifespan."

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu.

Podcast transcripts are available at: https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Join Caitlin and Mike as they chat with Cat Hafsi about her role in addressing implicit bias and advocating for disability rights.

Cathy “Cat” Hafsi is a self-described family advocate, disability advocate, and disability activist living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She has been active on several committees and is currently a member of the Peer Action Disability Support Board. She has a life-long disability and so does her daughter, for whom she has also been a strong advocate. Cat is also active in organizing vigils for the International Day of Mourning which is observed on March 1st of each year.

To get in contact with the hosts, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu.

Podcast transcripts are available at:https://ucedd.uihc.org/disability-exchange.

Tune in to this episode of Disability Exchange to hear from our favorite co-host, Mike Hoenig, and hear about his lifelong journey in self-advocacy. 

To get in contact with Mike, Judy, & Caitlin, email: caitlin-owens@uiowa.edu. 

Welcome to Disability Exchange, a podcast centering and elevating the voices of people with disabilities through meaningful conversation and connection. This podcast is brought to you by the University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development, designated as Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

To learn more about Iowa's University of Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, visit: https://uihc.org/ucedd/. 

Begin Transcript:

Mike H: My name is Mike Hoenig and I am a program coordinator at the UCEDD here in Iowa City. I'm very excited to be a part of this podcast. I have been blind since birth and have had a real life-long passion for self-advocacy and getting the voices of people with disabilities into the forefront, and I think this is doing to give us an excellent opportunity to do that. 

Judy W: Hi, my name is Judy Warth, and I'm a program manager here at Iowa's UCEDD. I am boots on the ground. I am a job coach, self-advocate builder, and a champion for people with disabilities and this is an exciting opportunity to share stories, real stories of people with you. 

Caitlin O: My name is Caitlin Owens and I am a social worker by training and the operations manager of the Iowa UCEDD. Most of my career has been spent working with people with disabilities in various settings and I am very excited to be a part of this podcast and have conversations with people with disabilities and those who care about them. 

MH: So, Caitlin, as a person with a disability, oftentimes I run into alphabet soup, and I just wonder if you could explain what a UCEDD is? Because I have a feeling that is an acronym.

CO: It is, so the Iowa UCEDD, UCEDD stands for the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Judy, Mike, and I all work at the UCEDD which is housed at the Centers for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa.

MH: Some of you may remember 'Hello, It's Us'. It was a program focused on disability inclusion and it aired on public access television in Iowa City for many years. Disability Exchange is the successor to that program. I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge our retired UCEDD director, Bob Bacon, and Johnson County Disability Advocate, Kieth Ruff, who were the founders of Hello, It's Us, and also, Sujit Singh, who was the long time technical director. We wouldn't be at a point of launching this new podcast, Disability Exchange, without all of their contributions. 

CO: So, Judy, why do you think there is a need for a podcast like this?

JW: Oh, Caitlin, you know, we know that people with disabilities have important stories to tell and we're passionate and committed to providing a space for this to happen. We want to reach out to people with disabilities and people who care about them; their families, direct care staff, as well as just our community, in general, to help share these stories of challenges and successes. Since our philosophy is 'Nothing about us without us', you'll be hearing from people with disabilities and their shared experiences. 

MH: You're so right Judy, and the voices of people with disabilities are what's going to make this podcast so powerful. So, we want to invite you into this space. This is our intro episode. We will begin dropping episodes starting in early August and you can download those from wherever you normally download your podcasts.

CO: Thank you for joining us today on Disability Exchange. Disability Exchange is produced by the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, housed at the Center for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa. 

MH: Special thanks to the team at the Institute for Public Health Practice at the University of Iowa College of Public Health for their production assistance.