7.19.08 Barbara Pritchard and Lester Pritchard of the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois for their leadership in working for the closure of Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park, IL.  In this interview they talk about the need for change to improve the quality of life for residents of this outdated facility.  Listen

7.12.08 Cindi Swanson of Illinois Lifespan and the ARC of Illinois is also the parent of Adam, a young man with Down Syndrome.  Her topic, Transition Begins at Diagnosis, delves into the philosophy of inclusion that has guided the decision-making for their family and their son over the past 21 years.  Listen

7.5.08 Fragile X Syndrome is the topic today, along with guests Anne Cheevers of the University of Illinois and parent, Joyce Dill who has 2 family members with Fragile X.  For more information on this disability you can visit the National Fragile X Foundation or the Fragile X Research Foundation. Listen

6.28.08 Larkin's Place is a proposed recreational center designed for people with disabilities and their families, but open to the entire community.  The project is named after the daughter of Amy Armstrong, Larkin, who was born with Down Syndrome.  Listen

6.21.08 Jennifer Knapp is the Lead Organizer for the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois, a grassroots advocacy group promoting freedom and choice for all people with disabilities in the state of Illinois.  Jennifer talks about the various activities of the Campaign, including a rally to support the closure of Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park and a survey of political candidates in Illinois.  Listen

6.14.08 Brian King is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, author, speaker and person with Asperger's Syndrome who also has two sons diagnosed with Asperger's. Listen

5.24.08 Barbara Pritchard coordinates the Disability Rights Task Force, a sub-group of the Champaign County Health Care Consumers.  She talks about an upcoming event to train medical providers about understanding and serving the needs of people with disabilities.  The event will occur on June 20, 2008 at Provena Covenant Medical Center.  Listen 

5.17.08 The Parent & Educator Partnership is an Illinois project that provides support to parents of school-age children with disabilities.  Merle Siefken, Project Coordinator, talks about the two parts of the project, the Illinois Statewide Technical Assistance Center for Parents and the Parent Mentor Projects.  Listen

5.10.08 Dr. Sheila Romano, Executive Director of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities discusses the Blueprint for Systems Redesign, a project to promote increased quality community supports for people with disabilities.  Listen

5.3.08  Dr. Charlene Bennett is the Executive Director of Individual Advocacy Group, an Illinois Service Provider that supports people with disabilities in Community settings and their own homes rather than sheltered workshops and group homes.  Listen

4.26.08 Peter Leidy, Composer, Performer and Advocate for people with disabilities talks about his work and his music.  Peter's composition, Jerry Lewis Blues is the Disability Beat theme song.  This episode does include music!  Listen

4.19.08  Ellen Bronfeld, co-moderator of a listserve called IPADDUnite (Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities, talks about membership, resources and supports for family members of adults with developmental disabilities. Listen

4.12.08 Peter Tracy, Executive Director of the Champaign County Mental Health Board and Developmental Disabilities Board talks about the efforts of the Anti-Stigma Coalition and a special event at EbertFest that includes a free showing of the movie Canvas on April 27 at 4:30 pm at the Virginia Theater.  My apologies for not posting the podcast. The recording failed this week.

4.5.08 Dr. John Trach, Associate Professor at the University of Illinois has spent the majority of his career preparing professionals to provide people with disabilities with effective transition plans and supported employment through the RSA Region V CRP RCEP. Listen

3.29.08 Nora Handler is the sister of three brothers with developmental disabilities and mental illness.  She talks about her advocacy for other siblings and shares resources for children and family members.  Listen

3.22.08 John Schornagel, Executive Director of  the Community and Residential Services Authority talks about the role of this little-known Illinois agency in coordinating services and advocating for the needs of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Listen

3.15.08 Charlotte Cronin, Executive Director of the Family Support Network discusses the basics of medicaid waivers and home-based support funding, and why it is important for families and people with disabilities.  Unfortunately, the quality of the phone audio is poor, but the information is important.  I hope you take the time to listen. Listen    

 3.1.08 Dr. Johnell Bentz teaches a course at the University of Illinois called Culture of Disability.  In today's program she, and students Jenny Linsenmeyer and Erin Hand, discuss the content and relevance for students, the university and the disability community. Listen

2.23.08  Amy Walker of Illinois Voices talks about proposed legislation in Illinois that would require public schools to provide curriculum in Disability History. Listen

2.16.08 Babette Leek and Michael Granse of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, Prioritization of Unmet Needs (PUNS) database  Listen

2.9.08  Jenell Hardy of Persons Assuming Control of their Environment (PACE) on supports for home ownership. Listen

1.25.08 Tony Paulauski, Ex. Dir. of the Arc of Illinois, Legislative Initiatives  Listen

1.19.08 Claudia Lennhoff, Ex. Dir., Champaign County Health Care Consumers, Advocacy for Quality Health Care  Listen

1.12.08  Lilia Teninty, Director of the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities  Listen

1.5.08 Jim Waldrip, self-advocate, and Brenda Page, on community supports  Listen