There is a lot to consider when a child receives a new diagnosis for an intellectual/developmental disability (IDD). For caregivers, families, and even providers, the conversations and planning can be overwhelming!   If you have received a new diagnosis, or maybe you are interested in beginning the process, use this podcast episode featuring Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Lauren Mowrey, to understand the diagnosis process, next steps, and most importantly, take a deep breath!

When someone becomes a victim of a crime, a long and often overwhelming process towards justice begins. It can be extremely difficult and taxing for anyone but when people with disabilities, especially those with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), enter this process, barriers and systemic failures might mean that they never get to see the justice they deserve. This documentary exposes these failures through the lens of advocacy and victim support providers.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an often-overlooked diagnosis for many people, but it’s important to spread awareness to help those who need it get the correct supports. Hear from Marilyn Fausset, who is the Chair of the FASD Awareness Work Group at Illuminate Colorado, as she discusses her family’s journey to the diagnosis and all that she’s learned since!

When it comes to supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, particularly with autism, it’s important to work hard to find the right path. A common therapy that many families and individuals utilize, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) can be a very helpful tool in ensuring safety and success in community spaces.   However, is it the best choice (or only choice) to help someone with IDD use their voice and be their authentic selves in the world?   In this episode, Sarah Grazier, Executive Director of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, joins THINK+change to discuss the importance of community integration and how we can support individuals with IDD in a variety of ways!

What does it really take for a medical facility to be truly accessible? Not just in design, but in attitude, system, and practice. Through the lived experiences of patients like Chris Layne, who saw her access to care shift dramatically after becoming a wheelchair user, and Dawn Russell, with a lifetime of experience with a developmental disability, who finally experienced equitable care at Tepeyac Community Health Center, we see the consequences of inaccessibility and the impact of doing better. This storytelling documentary shows a reimagining of what is possible for healthcare facilities and how they can truly become the “gold standard” of accessibility.

Service animals improve the quality of life for people with disabilities every day! And, as rights and protections have expanded over the years, they have become more common in public. Yet, there is a lot of misinformation and questions around service animals. Barbara Henry, Executive Director and Lead Trainer of Domino Service Dogs, knows that education is the first step to creating a better society for service animals and their handlers. What does it take to have a service dog? How should you act around service dogs in public? What rights to businesses have? Tune into this exciting episode to learn all of this and more!

Leidy Medrano es una defensora apasionada de su hijo, hace poco diagnosticado de trastorno del espectro autista. En este episodio del pódcast, Leidy comparte su viaje de convertirse en la voz de su hijo y descubrir su propia defensa.   Los padres y las familias son a veces los defensores más fuertes en la vida de un niño. Desde sus ideas sobre cómo ser persistente y eficaz en el mundo de la discapacidad hasta cómo utiliza la comunidad que la rodea, la historia de Leidy es una inspiración de la que aprender.

Self-advocacy is about knowing yourself and standing up for yourself! Not many people can speak to the importance of self-advocacy more than people with disabilities.   This episode of the THINK+change 2025 podcasts features Romi Shannon, a person with a disability who grew into being her most powerful advocate. Hear directly from Romi about how she took control of her life and stood up for herself in some very difficult situations. And now, Romi wants to see others speak up for themselves, develop resilience, and become empowered!

Don’t be ashamed to ask for help! Many people with disabilities, caregivers, and families rely on disability programs due to the added challenges in their lives that others do not face. These programs can include financial assistance, daily living supports, healthcare, and much more.   These programs go beyond being a safety net; they are often a lifeline! Without this support, many people could not live healthy, independent lives in their communities.   Dive into Disability Programs that Transform Lives to learn about the programs that could change your life of the life of a loved one! This 4-part documentary series presents the lived experiences and professional advice to motivate and help you get started.

Listen in for a heartfelt conversation about resilience, advocacy, and the power of love in parenting. Kevin’s story reminds us that, with the right supports, and when you put your mind to something, you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

Julian Wang, a dedicated self-advocate, has achieved significant milestones in his career and emphasizes that employers should view people with disabilities for their talents and contributions—not just the accommodations they may require.   In this month’s THINK+change podcast, we spoke with Julian to hear about his personal experiences in the workforce as a person with a disability. He shares powerful insights and valuable advice for others navigating employment, as well as lessons he’s learned about self-advocacy throughout his career.

Hillary Jorgensen, Co-Executive Director of Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, joins THINK+change this month for a fascinating conversation about disability policy advocacy. As a person with a disability, she has had an eye for social justice earlier than most. Hear directly from Hillary about her work in the disability policy space, how those efforts affect the everyday lives of the disability community, and how you can join in the fight!

People with disabilities are a powerful force in our democratic system! And when government policies and systems impact daily living across the disability community, it is vital to exercise the right to vote. This storytelling TALKS series, The Power of the Disability Vote is a call to action from advocates with legal, government, and lived experiences.

As the world becomes more digital by the day, access to communities and resources expands—but only for those with the technology to reach them. Without internet access, many find themselves isolated from essential services. Digital equity ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully engage with digital content.

Elizabeth Moran, JD, from The Arc of Colorado, joins us in this episode of the THINK+change podcast/vodcast to discuss why accessible travel should really matter to everyone. With barriers to accessible transportation being a key focus in disability advocacy today, Elizabeth shares her valuable expertise on outstanding needs and paths towards progress in transportation!

“We haven’t been hearing a lot of disabled folks’ stories, and those are some of the most important, most interesting stories in the world,” says Ben Raanan, Artistic Director of Phamaly Theatre, a local Denver theatre for artists with disabilities, who joins THINK+change for this month’s podcast.   The stories we consume shape so much of our perception and narrative of the world around us, which makes representation so important. Ben Raanan knows this better than most, since he has been fostering stories of disability to the stage for years. For Ben, it’s about creating the best art possible, redefining artistic conventions, and in this episode, he shares the how and why of disability storytelling!

When law enforcement is called out to a crisis involving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the situation is complicated. Communication challenges, a lack of training, and a misunderstanding of someone’s disability, can all lead to unfortunate challenging outcomes.   From THINK+change, Building Bridges: People with Disabilities and Law Enforcement is series of mini-documentaries diving into the IDD community’s experience with police. Each story highlights progress and the continued need for conversation and steps towards solutions. Solutions that prioritize both justice and compassion.

For so many, art is the opportunity for growth through expression, communication, and building confidence. It creates communities, jobs, and so much more. And yet the pathway to pursuing the arts is left out of the conversation for so many people with disabilities.  

We sat down with Jaime Lewis, RTD (Regional Transportation District) Director for District A in Denver, Transit Advisor for CCDC (Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition), and multi-disciplinary artist. From the stage to art galleries, Jaime has been breaking the barriers in the arts for years and wants to continue creating opportunities for more artists with disabilities.

It can be tough to find the right balance between respecting the rights and needs of people with IDD who commit sex offenses and keeping the community safe. But it is important to support them in a way that leads to growth, reduces risk, and improves their quality of life.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Kyle Lucas, PhD, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in helping people with developmental disabilities. With years of experience in treating individuals with problematic sexual behavior, Dr. Lucas sits down with us to discuss the strategies and approaches to create lasting change.

Disabilities are not always going to be obvious to others! The decision to share one’s disability is also highly personal and it can be a difficult one as they may face skepticism, disbelief, or stigma from others who cannot understand the extent of their disability or needs.  

In this insightful podcast/vodcast episode, we sit down with a remarkable young adult, entrepreneur, and self-advocate, who explains the reality of growing up with an invisible disability. Even at a young age, he is determined to have a voice, as he speaks up for himself and others with disabilities. Join us for a story of resilience, creativity, and living life to the fullest!