Disability Beat is about and for people with all types of disabilities with a slant toward social justice, community supports, inclusion, accessibility, freedom and choice.

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Listen to live episodes of Disability Beat at www.weft.org Wednesdays at 5:30 PM Central time.

Disability Beat Podcasts

6.24.09 More discussion of potentially drastic budget cuts to human services in Illinois.  Listen Comment

6.17.09 Tony Records has worked on a national level for 35 years in an effort to close institutions and promote self-determination and respect for people with disabilities.  He talks about the national trend toward community supports. Listen Comment

6.10.09 Tony Paulauski, Executive Director of the Arc of Illinois discusses the potentially devastating impact of budget cuts to Human Services in Illinois.  Listen Comment

6.3.09 Barry Taylor, Attorney for Equip for Equality, discusses the events and implications of the proposed Ligas Consent Decree, which, if approved forces the state to provide community options for people with developmental disabilities. Listen Comment

5.27.09 Kris Kazian of the Lexi Kazian Foundation talks about their equipment loan program and efforts toward building accessible playgrounds. Listen  Comment

5.20.09 Susan Barnhart of Managing the Art of Living gives details on The Gathering, a statewide conference to link and strengthen Microboards and Cooperatives in Illinois, June 12-13, 2009 in Bloomington. Listen  Comment

5.13.09 Mike Lyons, a parent who uses a wheelchair has dealt with the inaccessibility of the Chicago schools for ten years, missing many events, including his daughter's solo performance and parent-teacher conferences to name a few. Mike and his wife Chris, along with Equip for Equality Attorneys, Alan Goldstein and Amy Peterson, talk about the results of their advocacy. Listen Comment

5.6.09 Stamatis Agiovlasitis is a post doctoral researcher in kineseology and public health at the University of Illinois. His interview has two components. First he explains a study involving participants with Down Syndrome, and secondly, talks about his effort to help the university and disability communities work more closely together. Listen Comment

4.29.09 Online listeners can preview the show to air this week! Sarah Wilds, co-founder of the Central Illinois Food Allergy Network talks about the disabling impact of severe food allergies.This week and next are the WEFT pledge drive. Please support community radio that brings you Disability Beat each and every week! Donate Now Listen Comment

4.22.09 Sheila Ferguson, CEO of the Champaign County Mental Health Center and member of the Anti-Stigma Alliance discusses the details and purpose of the free showing of the movie, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, in conjunction with EbertFest, 2009. Listen  Comment

4.15.09 Sarah Castle of the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois talks about the Freedom Quest, a civil rights event for people with disabilities culminating in Springfield, IL on May 21, 2009. Listen Comment

4.8.09 Jack Pearpoint and Lynda Kahn are internationally known authors and experts in community building and person centered planning for individuals with disabilities. They will be presenting a three day training on their PATH process in Mt. Vernon on April 29-30 and May 1. Listen Comment

4.1.09 Wendy Partridge, parent and regional organizer for Managing the Art of Living, talks about her son's Microboard, and how it has improved the quality of his life. Listen Comment

3.25.09 The sponsor of Club Access of Parkland College, Evelyn Brown, talks about an upcoming event, the Wheelathon, and the activities of the Club.  Listen Comment

3.18.09 LEAP, Linking Educators and Parents, is a group in the Champaign-Urbana Area that provides information on supports and strategies for students with learning disabilities. Marilyn Kay of LEAP talks about Dyslexia. Listen Comment

3.11.09 Dinah Federer, author of Chasing Normal: A Guide for the Newly Disabled and for Those Who Love Them. Listen  Comment

3.3.09 Sally Mustered, Assistant Coordinator of the Champaign-Urbana Autism Network talks about the upcoming C-U Autism Walk on Sunday, April 5, 2009, intended to raise awareness about Autism and raise funds for the Network.? Listen Comment

2.18.09 Matthew Cohen, author of A guide to Special Education Advocacy: What Parents, Clinicians and Advocates Need to Know.  Listen Comment

2.11.09 The Next Chapter Book Clubs were developed at Ohio State University by Thomas Fish of the Nisonger Center.  Dr. Fish discusses the goals and outcomes of this community and literature based activity for adults with developmental disabilities.  Listen Comment

2.4.09? Susan Barnhart, parent and Regional Organizer for Managing the Art of Living talks about the creative approaches used in building a high quality life for her son. Listen Comment

1.28.09 Jim Mayer, co-chair of the Champaign County Transition Planning Committee talks about the upcoming Transition conference to be held Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. Listen Comment

1.21.09 Tony Paulauski of the ARC of IL talks about the new Obama Administration and the politics of the pending closure of Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park. Listen  Comment

1.14.09? Illinois Voices Advocate and Motivational Speaker, Lisa Cecal.  Listen Comment

1.7.09 Robert Drew, fellow WEFT airshifter, advocate, educator, and person with a disability shares his story. Listen Comment

To listen to the archive of previous programs click on the Podcast Archives on the left!