Ability Radio

Navigating Grief: Effects on Children and Adults - Episode 52 with Guests Dr. Muria Nisbett and Destiny Samuel

Host Kishma B. Francis and guests Dr. Muria Nisbett, and Destiny Samuel discuss grief by sharing personal stories and advice on how grief impacts children and adults. They explore various types of grief, such as losing a loved one or facing life changes like ending relationships, changing jobs, and moving.

This episode offers valuable tips on supporting ourselves and others in times of sadness. It emphasizes the importance of allowing everyone to speak openly about their feelings without judgment and highlights how seeking help from a therapist can be life-changing.

Nurturing Growth: A Journey into Agriculture - Episode 51 with guest Diana Collingwood

Join Amelia Headley-Lamont and teacher Diane Collingwood on Ability Radio as they talk about a cool journey from dance to farming. Diane shares her amazing story of becoming the first woman to graduate in farming from the University of the Virgin Islands. She loves to change how we teach farming and wants to help young people get involved.

 

You’ll learn about how important women are in farming, why having good communication skills matters, and how kids can make a difference through farming and caring for the environment. They’ll talk about the challenges and chances in farming in the Virgin Islands and the new ideas to help people grow food and take care of our planet.

 

Empowering Futures: Navigating Vocational Rehabilitation - Episode 50 with Kimberly Washington

Join Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands for an important talk about help for finding and keeping jobs. Special guest Kimberly Washington from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and her team members, Reneta Adjodha and Rifkah Deane, share how they help students with disabilities move from school to good jobs. Learn how important it is to support people with disabilities and why having jobs in the community helps them succeed!

Shammi Carr, DRCVI advocate, discusses collaborations, workforce readiness, and job accommodations. She explains how people work together to help others get ready for jobs and find the right support they need. It focuses on helping students and adults get equal chances to work in different jobs, like government, stores, cooking, or fixing things. The goal is to help everyone find satisfying and lasting jobs they enjoy.

Emergency Disaster Preparedness: Lessons from Wildfire Survivors - Episode 49 with Guests Lad and Lisa Wallace

This episode of Ability Radio delves into the experiences of longtime U.S. Virgin Islands residents, Lad and Lisa Wallace, as they discuss the challenges of surviving both hurricanes and wildfires. With the host, Amelia Headley-Lamont of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, the Wallaces share their experiences of evacuating during a massive wildfire in California and the lessons they learned about emergency preparedness.

The episode highlights the importance of heeding evacuation warnings, being prepared with emergency supplies, and having a plan in place for keeping in touch with family during disasters. It also explores the emotional aftermath of losing irreplaceable personal items and the role that community support plays in recovery. For those living in the Virgin Islands and similar regions, the insights shared by the Wallaces offer a valuable perspective on dealing with both hurricanes and fires.

Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands 2024 Review - Episode 48

Welcome to the 2024 year-end episode of Ability Radio, hosted by Angus Drigo, Executive Director of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. This special episode features conversations with key team members: Archie Jennings, Shammi Carr, and Kishma Francis, who share insights into the organization's mission and activities throughout the year.

The discussion highlights the importance of legal advocacy for individuals with disabilities, the role of the Parent Training Information Center, and the innovative programs like the Youth Empowerment Leadership Program designed to empower and support young individuals on their journey to becoming self-advocates.

The episode also addresses critical issues such as mental health services for children with disabilities and stresses the importance of community collaboration to enhance accessibility and support. Join us as we reflect on the achievements and ongoing efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the Virgin Islands.

Empowering Voices Against Domestic Violence in the Virgin Islands - Episode 47 with Guest Kalyn Fahie of Ujima - the National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community

In this episode of Ability Radio, host Amelia Hedley-Lamont of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands engages in a powerful conversation with Kalyn Fahie, an advocate, author, and training & technical assistance manager for Ujima - the National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community. Kalyn shares her personal journey from surviving domestic violence to becoming a beacon of hope and support for others facing similar challenges.

During the discussion, Kalyn highlights the importance of financial empowerment for domestic violence survivors and offers key insights into culturally specific support services that address the unique needs of black communities. She also provides valuable resources available for victims, such as local US Virgin Islands support organizations and national hotlines, emphasizing the significance of discreet planning and community-based initiatives.

This episode sheds light on the pressing need for collective action, advocacy, and a robust support system to aid survivors and prevent further violence, while reinforcing that anyone, regardless of gender, can be affected by domestic violence.

Links from the episode:

https://ujimacommunity.org/

https://www.thehotline.org/

https://usvifrc.org/

https://wcstx.org/

 

Disability Services and Advocacy in the USVI - Episode 46 with Guests Shamika Thomas, VIUCEDD Executive Director, and Shammi Carr, DRCVI Advocate

Join host Amelia Hedley-Lemont in this episode about the integral roles of the University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) and the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. Guests Shamika Thomas, MPH, CCHW, Executive Director of VIUCEDD, and Shammi Carr, DRCVI Advocate, discuss how these organizations serve the broader community by providing essential services and advocacy for people with disabilities. 

Explore the free services the UCEDD offers the entire community, ranging from early intervention to assistive technology and a lending closet for durable medical supplies. Shamika Thomas explains how these resources are made accessible to the community through grants and partnerships, while Shammi Carr highlights the collective efforts to drive systemic change for individuals with disabilities across the territory.

Learn about the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering leaders in the disability advocacy field. Discover how this program, in collaboration with the Westchester Institute for Human Development, equips Virgin Islanders with the skills needed to advance disability services.

Finally, the episode touches on the various training sessions and events like Voices That Count, illustrating how these initiatives offer platforms for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. 

Healthy Smiles - Episode 45 with Guest Dr. Sonia Taylor Griffith, Pediatric and Special Needs Dentist

Welcome to Ability Radio, hosted by Amelia Headley-Lamont from the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Sonia Taylor-Griffith, a dedicated pediatric dentist serving the communities of St. Thomas and St. Croix. Dr. Griffith sheds light on the prevalent issue of dental decay among children in the territory and discusses how dietary habits, especially the intake of processed foods rich in sugar, significantly contribute to this concerning trend.

Dr. Griffith emphasizes the importance of early and consistent dental care, recommending that children visit the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears to combat early decay. She shares practical advice for parents, such as substituting sugary juices with water and promoting healthy eating habits to prevent dental issues.

The conversation also explores adaptive dental care strategies for children with special needs, addressing challenges in improving oral hygiene and the importance of consistent therapy support from professionals such as occupational and speech therapists. Dr. Griffith highlights the need for community awareness and addressing barriers to access, ensuring every child receives the dental care they deserve. Join us for an insightful discussion on ensuring healthier, brighter smiles for our children.