• Episode 15 - Interview with Sue Babin
    Oct 10 2025

    Join us as we interview Sue Babin, Special Projects Coordinator at The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council. She has been the founder and Project Director for Rhode Island's Self-Employment Business Incubator since 2018. We discuss the details about the Self-Employment Business classes, support, and opportunities provided to entrepreneurs.

    Contact for Sue Babin:

    • Phone: 401-523-2300
    • Email: suebabin@riddc.org

    Resources from the episode:

    • https://riddc.org/
    • https://riddc.org/self-employment-project/
    • https://sbsshopri.com/
    • https://www.ricrossdisability.org/
    • The Rhode Island Cross Disability Coalition Phone: (401) 737-1238 Email: tanja@riddc.org
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    51 mins
  • Episode 14 - Interview with Amy Stone on RI Sibs
    Sep 26 2025

    Join us as we talk with Amy Stone about the RI Sibs. Rhode Island's Sibling Chapter is part of the national Sibling Leadership Network.

    RI Sibs' mission is to empower siblings of individuals with disabilities with the support, tools, and opportunities to advocate, collaborate, and engage with their brothers and sisters. They aim to promote the issues that matter most to families.

    Sibling chapters provide the state and local connections for siblings to get peer support and information. Each chapter has its own feel and flavor. One primary purpose of sibling chapters is to create a judgment-free environment where siblings can meet and share their sibling experiences.

    Resources from this episode:

    • Check out the national Sibling Leadership Network at this link: https://siblingleadership.org/
    • Contact RI Sibs, Rhode Island's sibling chaper at: rhodeislandsibs@gmail.com
    • Contact for Taylor Dorsey, Individual and Family Support Specialist at the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities: (tdorsey@ric.edu)
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    34 mins
  • Episode 13 - Interview with Barbara and Charles about Fragile X
    Jul 22 2025

    July is Fragile X Awareness Month, and July 22nd is National Fragile X Awareness Day as designated by the 106th US Congress. Join us as we speak with Barbara and Charles as they raise awareness about Fragile X, build community, and share how you can support someone living with Fragile X.

    Resources mentioned during the episode:
    • Foundation - Fragilex.org
    • RIPIN Community Guide
    • Advocates in Action RI
    • Leadership Series
    • Institute on Community Integration – Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community Members (Author: Angela N Amado)
    • Starfire

    Barbara's contact:

    Email: barichardsonfx@gmail.com

    Phone: 401-432-4690

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    41 mins
  • Episode 12 - Interview with Donna Martin
    Jun 13 2025
    Join us as we interview Donna Martin, Vice President of State Partnerships and Innovation, with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). We discuss changes in federal policy, the potential impacts of budget changes, and what individuals can do to have a voice in the conversation. Resources mentioned during the episode: Ancor Website Ancor Amplifier Enjoy!
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    26 mins
  • Episode 11 - From Ladd to Leaders - A Conversation with Joanne Malise, Judy Niedbala, and David Reiss
    May 30 2025

    Join us as we have a candid conversation with Joanne Malise, Director of Living Innovations, Judy Niedbala, the recently retired Chief Executive Officer of Perspectives Corporation, and David Reiss, the Chief Executive Officer of The Fogarty Center. We discuss their days at the Ladd School, the impact they have had on the Developmental Disability (DD) system since then, how to build a good life, and their thoughts for the future.

    Enjoy!
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    46 mins
  • Episode 10, part 2 - Interview with Maggie and Joanne on the Ladd film
    Apr 4 2025
    Join us as we interview Maggie Sebastian, a resident at Ladd School, and Joanne Malise, a former employee. We will discuss their experiences at Ladd and their lives since it closed. Best Judgement: Ladd School Lessons will air on Rhode Island PBS on May 8th at 8:00 pm. You can learn more about Ladd and upcoming opportunities to see the Ladd film at Facebook - Best Judgement - Ladd School Lessons
    Laddfilm.com Enjoy!
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    26 mins
  • Episode 10, part 1 - Interview with Jim Wolpaw and Scott Hopkins on the Ladd film
    Mar 21 2025
    Join us as we interview Jim Wolpaw, Academy Award-nominated documentarian and co-director of Best Judgements: Ladd School Lessons, and Scott Hopkins, Peer Mentor at Advocates in Action and one of the film crew members, as we discuss the history of Ladd with the making of the film. Best Judgement: Ladd School Lessons will air on Rhode Island PBS on May 8th at 8:00 pm. You can learn more about Ladd and upcoming opportunities to see the Ladd film at Facebook - Best Judgement - Ladd School Lessons
    Laddfilm.com Enjoy!
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    26 mins
  • Episode 9 - Interview with Kate Sherlock & Tory Flis on SDM
    Sep 2 2024
    Join us as we interview Kate Sherlock, a lawyer and consultant for Sargent Rehabilitation Center's Regional Resource Center, and Torry Flis, an Inclusive Community Living Administrator at Looking Upwards, Inc., as we discuss Supported Decision-Making (SDM). You can learn more about SDM at ridecisionmaking.org. To learn more about the Supported Decision Making Coalition or if you have a story about SDM you would like to share, please reach out to Kate Sherlock at kates@sargentcenter.org. Other resources/links mentioned during the episode:
    RI Resources: Disability Rights RI - Supported Decision Making RI Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC) - Supported Decision Making Sargent Center - Supported Decision Making https://ripin.org/ripin/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/HANDOUT-Supported-Decision-Making.pdf National Resources: Jenny Hatch Story National Resource Center for Supported Decision Making Center for Public Representation - Supported Decision Making Enjoy!
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    31 mins