Accessible

About Accessible

Accessible is a podcast from Missouri UCEDD and LEND that brings disability leadership, issues, and impact into focus. Hosted by UMKC-Institute for Human Development’s George Gotto and Amelia Reighard, it features leaders sharing their journeys, advocacy, research, policy, and lived experience. Designed for professionals, families, self-advocates, and anyone curious about disability, Accessible makes complex systems and ideas understandable, highlighting how people and communities work together to create meaningful change.

Publisher

UMKC - Institute for Human Development (Missouri UCEDD)

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Feb 2022

Latest episode

17 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

55 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Jun 2026

   HOT TOPICS: Rural Health & Disability with Libby Trammell, Missouri Rural Health Association

   What happens when healthcare systems are designed without considering the realities of rural communities? In this episode, we sit down with Libby Trammell, Community & Digital Advocacy Manager at the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA), to explore the state of rural health in Missouri and what it means for people with disabilities. Drawing from MRHA's newly released 2026 Rural Health Needs Assessment, Libby shares data-driven insights about healthcare access, workforce shortages, hospital closures, transportation barriers, and the unique challenges facing rural Missourians with disabilities. The conversation also explores how policy decisions—including proposed Medicaid changes—could impact rural healthcare systems, why disability inclusion must be part of rural health transformation efforts, and how advocates can engage in meaningful policy conversations at the local, state, and federal levels. Plus, learn about The Causeway, MRHA's statewide online community connecting rural healthcare providers, advocates, students, and community leaders to share resources, solve problems, and strengthen rural systems across Missouri. Episode Highlights: • Key findings from Missouri's 2026 Rural Health Needs Assessment • Disability trends and health disparities in rural communities • Healthcare workforce shortages and hospital closures • Transportation and access barriers for rural residents • Medicaid policy changes and potential impacts • The importance of preventive care and care coordination • Rural health advocacy and legislative engagement • The Causeway and other resources for rural professionals Resources in this episode: - Missouri Rural Health Association Website: https://mrhassociation.org/ - 2026 Missouri Rural Health Needs Assessment: https://mrhassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/26-Needs-Assessment_lowres.pdf - Rural Health Transformation Information: https://mydss.mo.gov/mhd/rural-health - MRHA Bill Tracker: https://mrhassociation.org/advocacy-and-policy/ - Find your legislators: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member - The Causeway: https://community.mrhassociation.org/home - Email Libby: ltrammell@mrha.org Acronym Guide: FQHC: Federally Qualified Health Center DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/ For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

2. 

   3 Jun 2026

   HOT TOPICS: Medicaid & The Future of Disability Services in Missouri with Sheila Wunning, MO-DMH Division of DD

   In this episode, we talk with Sheila Wunning, Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities at the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Sheila has worked in the field of developmental disabilities since 1996, with experience spanning community-based services, targeted case management, behavioral health supports, and state-operated programs. Before entering the developmental disability field, she worked within the criminal justice system and saw firsthand how individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs often became trapped in cycles of incarceration without appropriate supports in place. Her career has included leadership roles at Options for Justice, the St. Louis Office for DD Resources, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health, where she became Division Director in 2025. In this conversation, we explore recent federal and state Medicaid conversations, how Missouri’s developmental disability system is structured, and what these changes could mean for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), families, providers, and communities. Sheila also shares insights from her experience across systems and discusses the importance of home- and community-based services, early intervention, and cross-system collaboration. Takeaways: Missouri’s Division of Developmental Disabilities supports approximately 44,000 individuals through a combination of home- and community-based services, targeted case management, crisis supports, and state-operated programs. Medicaid plays a critical role in funding services and supports for individuals with IDD, including home- and community-based services that help people live independently in their communities. Common misconceptions about Medicaid often overlook the complexity of disability services and the importance of long-term supports for individuals and families. Community-based services can help prevent unnecessary hospitalization, institutionalization, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Individuals with IDD and co-occurring behavioral health needs often face gaps in services that require stronger collaboration across disability, behavioral health, healthcare, and justice systems. Early intervention, crisis stabilization, and proactive supports can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with complex needs. Innovation within Missouri’s developmental disability system includes expanded crisis response efforts, psychiatric stabilization supports, and partnerships across agencies and providers. Resources in this episode: Missouri Department of Mental Health – Division of Developmental Disabilities Website: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities (https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities) Learn more about Missouri’s Home and Community Based Services: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/service-providers/hcbs-info (https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/service-providers/hcbs-info) Missouri Department of Mental Health Website: https://dmh.mo.gov/ (https://dmh.mo.gov/) DDD Weekly Newsletter Blast - Link to subscribe: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/IZJqgUz (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/IZJqgUz) Acronym Guide: HCBS: Home- and Community-Based Services IDD: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ICF/IID: Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities DD: Developmental Disabilities DMH: Department of Mental Health TCM: Targeted Case Management HUD: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Interview Transcript: ihd.umkc.edu/products For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

3. 

   20 May 2026

   HOT TOPICS: Show Me Special Education with Mark Wheatley, DESE

   Our guest today is Mark Wheatley, Assistant Commissioner of Special Education at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Mark began his career as a physical education teacher and elementary principal before transitioning into special education, where he served as an adaptive PE teacher and administrator in Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled. He brings a systems-level perspective shaped by both classroom and statewide leadership experience. In this conversation, we explore how special education policy translates into practice, what current federal conversations mean (and don’t mean) for Missouri, and how the state is rethinking long-standing systems to better support students with disabilities—particularly through a shift toward more inclusive practices. Takeaways: • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) continues to anchor special education services, guaranteeing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. • Federal changes may create uncertainty, but state responsibilities and expectations for serving students remain consistent. • Inclusion requires more than placement—it depends on strong collaboration between general and special educators. • Missouri’s “MSSD Reimagined” effort reflects a broader shift away from separate settings toward more inclusive, community-based education. • Decisions about services and placement are made by IEP teams, with families playing a central role. • Clear communication and accessible information are critical for helping families navigate complex systems and ongoing changes Resources in this episode: • Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Website: https://dese.mo.gov/ • For more information on the IDEA: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ • For more information on Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD): https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/missouri-schools-severely-disabled Acronym Guide: LEA: Local Education Agency IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ESN: Extensive Support Needs MSSD: Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Interview Transcript: ihd.umkc.edu/products For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

Who has been a guest on Accessible

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Rosie Kaemmerer
• Carson Miller DPT
• Sandy Root-Elledge
• Maggie Rollwagen

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,456

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

37

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

32

Contact Accessible

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.