Disability News You Can Use

About Disability News You Can Use

Join Deanne Gagne and Andrew McQuaide as they discuss topics impacting Rhode Island's Disability Community and share practical ways you can use information from each episode in your life. Disability News You Can Use is sponsored by Advocates in Action Rhode Island - Rhode Island's statewide self-advocacy organization.

Publisher

Disability News You Can Use

Category

news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Dec 2022

Latest episode

31 May 2026

Latest episodes

21 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   31 May 2026

   Episode 19 - Interview with Arianna, Assistive Technology Specialist

   Join us for a conversation with Arianna Bordeleau, Assistive Technology Specialist at Perspectives Corporation and the 2024 Rhode Island Assistive Technology Champion. Arianna shares how assistive technology can help people live, work, and participate more fully in their communities. She discusses the importance of focusing on a person's goals and needs, explores different types of assistive technology, and explains how 3D printing can create affordable, customized solutions that improve everyday life. Resources from the episode: Job Accommodation Network (JAN) (https://askjan.org/index.cfm) JAN Accommodations and Technology Search (https://askjan.org/search.cfm) JAN Contact (https://askjan.org/contact-us.cfm) Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) ORS Assistive Technology (https://ors.ri.gov/assistive-technology) Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) (https://www.atia.org/) ATIA Upcoming Events (https://www.atia.org/upcoming-events/) ATIA Resources (https://www.atia.org/home/at-resources/) Contact for Arianna Email: ABordeleau@perspectivescorporation.com (mailto:ABordeleau@perspectivescorporation.com) Phone: 401-294-3990 Enjoy!

2. 

   23 May 2026

   Episode 18 - Interview with Dr. Angela Amado

   Join us for a conversation with Dr. Angela Amado. Former Research Associate at the University of Minnesota with 40 years of experience in looking at ways to foster friendships, belonging, and inclusive communities. We discuss her manual Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community Members (https://ici.umn.edu/products/579), and her experience in the field, conducting research, developing government policy, and leading international training programs. Resources from the episode: Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community Members. https://ici.umn.edu/products/579 (https://ici.umn.edu/products/579) The Arc of Massachusetts https://thearcofmass.org/friendship/ (https://thearcofmass.org/friendship/) ICI (Institute for Community Living) https://www.communityinclusion.org/ (https://www.communityinclusion.org/) UCEDDs (University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) https://www.aucd.org/about-ucedds (https://www.aucd.org/about-ucedds) The Arc of Minnesoda https://arcminnesota.org/ (https://arcminnesota.org/)

3. 

   28 Feb 2026

   Episode 17 - Interview with Dr. Adiaha Spinks-Franklin

   Join us for a conversation with Dr. Adiaha (pronounced /ah dee YAH/) I. A. Spinks-Franklin, MD, MPH, FAAP. Dr. Spinks-Franklin is a Board-certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, Lifelong Anti-Oppression/Pro-Liberation Social Justice Warrior, Black/African American; she/her/hers. Owner, DBP Doc, PLLC, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Consultation, Education, and Training. Immediate Past President, Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP). And from the ancestral lands of the Kickapoo, Osage, Kiowa, Wichita, and Comanche Nations. We discussed engaging topics, including the intersectionality of disability, race, and gender, ableism, implicit bias, and healthcare. Hear Dr. Spink-Franklin's unique perspective on these topics and more. Resources from the episode: Take care of your mind, body, and spirit: National Suicide Lifeline 988 CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines) for scientifically accurate vaccine information WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/) for scientifically accurate health information HealthyChildren.org (http://HealthyChildren.org) for scientifically accurate child health information February is Black History Month https://www.blackhistorymonth.gov/ (https://www.blackhistorymonth.gov/) https://www.history.com/topics/black-history (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history) https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/african-american-history (https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/african-american-history) Unbirthday - the date of your birthday on each month that is not your birthday month.

Who has been a guest on Disability News You Can Use

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

• Donna Martin
• Joanne Malise
• Judy Niedbala
• David Reiss

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100

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

Quality

55

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Disability News You Can Use

Guest appearances

Books guests

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