Disability Beat is a weekly public affairs radio program heard live every Wednesday afternoon from 5:30 to 6:00 pm Central time on WEFT Champaign, 90.1 FM in east central Illinois.
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.
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Disability Beat Podcasts
7.28.10 Patty Wolters of Developmental Services Center in Champaign promotes the Legislative Forum to be held on August 11, 2010 from 7-8:30 pm at the Brookens Center Gym, 1776 E Washington Ave., Urbana. Incumbents and challengers will face off on issues important to people with disabilities and their families in East Central Illinois. Be sure to attend! Listen Comment
7.21.10 Savannah Hampsen, Environmental Education Public Program Specialist of the Champaign County Forest Preserve promotes "Accessible Fishing at Possibility Pier", August 7 at the River Bend Forest Preserve in Mahomet. Listen Comment
7.7.10 Michelle Clyne, Coordinator of Project REACH talks about strategies and supports, and the often untapped potential of people with deaf-blindness. Listen Comment
6.30.10 Bruce Handler, MD. is a Crisis Intervention Trainer for law enforcement professionals. In this interview he talks about the need, the strategies and the benefits of CIT. For more information visit www.mhconsultantsinc.com. A word of advice from Bruce: If you call 911, ask for a CIT-trained officer! Listen Comment
6.23.10 On Wednesday, June 30th the C-U Autism Network will be hosting an afternoon workshop, Now That It's Sum-Sum-SUMMERTIME, What Am I Going To Do? featuring Ann Osterling, a local pediatric speech-language pathologist. In this episode, Ann summarizes the event and registration information. Listen Comment
6.16.10 You'll want to attend the Half Day Conference for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities coming up on Saturday, June 19 in Champaign. Beth Rempe of the Down Syndrome Network talks about the details in this week's edition of DB. Listen Comment
6.2.10 Pam Harris, Illinois Mom and Advocate, talks about her crusade to keep labor unions from infiltrating the Home-Based Support Services Program. Listen Comment
5.26.10 Author and advocate, Dr. Ruthie-Marie Beckwith on her new novel, Seven Days at Oak Valley, a murder mystery taking place at an institution in the 70's with a hero who has a developmental disability. Listen Comment
5.19.10 Sheila Alexander, CEO, and Bruce Barnard, consultant for the Mental Health Center in Champaign County discuss the issues related to mental health and substance abuse. Listen Comment
5.12.10 Sandra Murillo, a journalism major at the University of Illinois talks about her childhood, college life, future plans and experience with blindness. Listen Comment
5.5.10 Tom Wilson and Jennifer Thomas of Access Living discuss the ramifications of Managed Care for people with disabilities in Illinois. Listen Comment
4.28.10 Margie Wakelin of Equip for Equality reviews an ongoing case on behalf of a student with autism who wants to take his service dog to school. Listen Comment
4.21.10 Marsha Koelliker and Melissa Picciola of Equip for Equality discuss the importance of people with disabilities being counted in the 2010 Census. Listen Comment
4.14.10 The Alliance is a statewide collaboration of self-advocacy groups focused on real systems change in Illinois. Tune in and hear this week's interview with Jennifer Knapp, lead organizer, along with leadership board members Mary Suggs and Michelle Spurlock. Listen Comment
4.6.10 Chris Tatevosian has been grappling with the effects of Multiple Sclerosis for 30 years. In this interview, he talks about his life and his book, Life Interrupted: It's Not All About Me. Listen Comment
3.31.10 The third annual Wheelathon, a fundraiser for Club Access and PACE Center for Independent Living will be held at Parkland College on Saturday, April 17. Paula Vanier, founder of Club Access, and Arland Stratton, Board member at PACE, talk about the details. For more information or to be a sponsor go here. Listen Comment
3.24.10 Abbey Heins and Sandy Ginther (Abbey's Mom) talk about Abbey's journey as a self-advocate and activist. Listen Comment
3.17.10 Charlotte Cronin of the Family Support Network discusses upcoming advocacy trainings and legislative forums around the state. Listen Comment
3.10.10 Mary Smith of STARnet summarizes the Family Conference, to be held in Springfield on April 30 and May 1. Listen Comment
3.3.10 Barry Taylor, Legal Advocacy Director for Equip for Equality and Lead Attorney for the Ligas Lawsuit, updates listeners on progress. People with disabilities who reside in ICFDDs and/or who live at home and need more community services are encouraged to participate by signing a form. Also available is the Ligas Fact Sheet. Listen Comment
2.24.10 Rod Patterson, President and CEO of the Public Policy Institute reviews events at the upcoming Best Practices Conference to be held in Lisle on March 18-19.Listen Comment
2.17.10 Janice Fialka-Feldman, author, speaker, nationally recognized social worker and parent of Micah, her adult son with a developmental disability, talks about their family's quest for Micah to have a complete college experience. Listen Comment
2.10.10 Tracy Waverly, Vice President for Community Services and Mark Klaus, CEO of Charleston Transitional Facility talk about their expansion of services into Champaign County which includes a young adult club. Listen Comment
2.3.10 Jane Doyle, Executive Director of Center for Independent Futures describes an innovative program for individuals with disabilities who have no funding to live on their own with supports. Listen Comment
1.27.10 Faye Manaster, Project Director of the Illinois Family to Family Health Information and Education Center and Tony Paulauski, Executive Director of the Arc of Illinois discuss a plan by the governor to change health and support funding for people with disabilities through managed care. Listen Comment
1.20.10 Inclusive opportunities in college are the topic with Emma Fialka-Feldman, sister of Micah Fialka-Feldman who recently won the right to live in a dormitory at Oakland University as a student in the OPTIONS program. Listen Comment
1.13.10 Anita Moore of Heartland Community College in Bloomington, IL discusses the HALO Program for students with Developmental Disabilities Listen Comment
1.6.10 Illinois State Representative Chapin Rose brings his perspective on the state and fate of disability services during the continuing budget crisis. Listen Comment
12.16.09 Jason Greenly, Supervisor at the TIMES Center, a transitional program for homeless men, talks about the connection between mental illness and homelessness. Listen Comment
12.9.09 Debra Taylor, Program Manager at the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) discusses services and supports provided to children with chronic medical needs. Due to a technical problem, the first portion of the program did not record. Listen Comment
12.2.09 Rick McElmurry, volunteer at Radio Reader, a unique service for people with visual or physical impairment that makes reading difficult. Listen Comment
11.25.09 Jim Mayer, Chair of the Champaign County Transition Planning Committee (TPC) talks about the work of his organization. Listen Comment
11.18.09 University of Illinois senior, Stephen Diebold recently received recognition for his invention of a chin pointer that increases independence for people with quadriplegia. Listen Comment
11.11.09 Disability Beat honors Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by airing a podcast by David Brancaccio of NOW. Hear the podcast here. The news of the week is here.
11.4.09 Amy Armstrong, Momologist, talks about her campaign to fight the "r" word. Listen Comment
10.28.09 Tony Paulauski, Executive Director of the ARC of Illinois, updates on the deteriorating financial situation for disability services in Illinois, and what listeners can do to make a difference. Listen Comment
10.21.09 Victoria Raistrick of PACE, Inc. discusses the upcoming Low Vision Fair to be held on Friday, October 23 at Lincoln Square Village in Urbana. Listen Comment
10.14.09 Lester and Barbara Pritchard of the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois were interviewed 15 months ago regarding their work to close Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park, IL. On Monday, Oct 21, Lester Pritchard passed away after complications from a brief illness. His advocacy, passion and humor will be greatly missed by many. Listen Comment
10.14.09 Barb Bressner and Amy Armstrong talk about the 3rd annual Disability Resource Expo, held in Urbana on Oct. 17. Listen Comment
9.30.09 The 5th annual Illinois Transition Conference is coming up in November. Deb Einhorn, Executive Director of Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center is a member of the steering committee who discusses the details. Listen Comment
9.22.09 Mark Jacobs of Urbana talks about his acquired blindness and the resources that have assisted him in his transition. Listen Comment
9.9.09 Brian Culver of www.allamericanrollmodels.com. Listen Comment
9.2.09 Tara Kosieniak and Katie Keiling Arnold share their perspectives as sisters to siblings with disabilities. Listen Comment Resources
8.26.09 Robert Farley, Illinois Attorney and Advocate discusses the details about his lawsuit filed on behalf of a young man who was able to receive no community-based services after exiting high school. Listen Comment
8.19.09 Dan Montville, author of Disabled Fables: Celebrating the Lighter Side of Parenting a Child With a Disability Listen Comment
8.12.09 JJ Hanley, creator of JJ's List, a website that informs people with disabilities and their families about disability-friendly businesses in their communities. Listen Comment
8.5.09 Recent news and an edited re-broadcast of an interview with Deb Einhorn, Executive Director of Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center.Listen Comment
7.29.09 Johnnie Tuitel, "handicapitalist", talks about his efforts in making a difference in the perceptions of and opportunities for people with disabilities. Listen Comment
7.22.09 Marsie Frawley of Health and Disability Advocates discusses RICES (Rural Illinois Customized Employment Sustainability Project) and the efforts of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities in improving employment options for people with disabilities.Listen Comment
7.15.09 Highlights from a previous interview with Beth Owens and Trish Laso of Illinois Mentor. Listen Comment
7.8.09 Barry Taylor of Equip for Equality, and lead attorney for the Ligas Lawsuit. Listen Comment
7.1.09 Marsha Saxton, author of Sticks and Stones: Disabled People's Stories of Abuse, Defiance and Resilience. Listen Comment
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!
