Ability Radio

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 Center of the Virgin Islands.

The episode also covers training, peer support, preparing youth for self-advocacy, and how parents can access help via the DRCVI website (www.drcvi.org), phone (340-776-4303), and the DRCVI YouTube channel.

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 free consultations and services.

Listeners are invited to connect with Greater Changes at greaterchangesllc.com or 833-409-3474 and with the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands at drcvi.org or 340-776-4303 for partnerships and resources.

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 for children with sensory needs, how to contact Kai (swimlessons@kaikiaquatics.com or Kie Kai Aquatics on Facebook), and where lessons are offered on St. Croix.

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 of regular testing, family awareness, healthy eating, daily physical activity, and how the Center supports patients with education, treatment, and transportation to improve outcomes. Home - VI Diabetes Center of Excellence

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 empowerment, IEP and 504 trainings, anti-bullying and art therapy programs, DARRI's Book Club, and more! The team also talks about DRCVI's affiliation with the Northeast ADA Center and upcoming collaborations with local organizations. 

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 and referrals, peer support/peer counseling/mentorship, and transition services from school or institutions—give real examples of peer support and accessible accommodations and emphasize person-first language and equal access.

Services are generally free; the center hosts regular mutual-aid MASH meetings and welcomes volunteers. Contact: St. Thomas 340-777-4978, St. Croix 340-778-7992, email inquiry@independentlivingvi.org, website independentlivingvi.org.

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 community projects such as a little library and a hygiene program serving about 2,000 people.

Listeners hear about partnerships with local organizations, the State Rehab Council’s inclusive employment needs assessment, and youth and family-focused programs from the Parent Training and Information Center. The conversation highlights challenges, legal work, outreach, and plans for continuing community engagement in 2026.

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.