Learning how to manage diabetes... with a video game (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

PA commission for people with disabilities and The Arc's mission (Enable:

Pennsylvania announced a new Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities in April, aiming to gather information regarding the experiences and needs of people with disabilities, assess support programs, and provide information about services for the disability community, families, and caregivers. Sherri Landis, executive director of The Arc of Pennsylvania, spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about the commission, how it can help with gaps in services or accessibility, and how others can become involved as advocates or supporters. She also spoke about The Arc's mission, which began with a group of parents who dreamed of more for their children.   For more information on the Pennsylvania Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities, visit https://www.pa.gov/governor/administration/advisory-commissions [https://www.pa.gov/governor/administration/advisory-commissions]. For The Arc of PA, visit https://thearcpa.org [https://thearcpa.org/]. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast [http://facebook.com/enablepodcast] or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

'Blue envelopes' program helps drivers with autism, and police (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

What is the Blue Envelope Program? The New York State Sheriffs' Association has established a free public service program that provides blue envelopes for drivers with autism and neurodivergence, helping them in interactions with law enforcement. Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy Danielle Podejko spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about the program and other tips for people with disabilities in police interactions. The envelopes include information for drivers about what to expect if they get pulled over or are in an emergency situation to help reduce anxiety and encourage preparedness. Telling a deputy or police officer that you have a "blue envelope" will also inform them about how to better respond to the driver and situation. You can contact your local sheriff's office or other law enforcement agencies about getting a blue envelope, or request one from the NYS Sheriff's Association at https://nysheriffs.org/blue-envelope/. Syracuse and Central New York residents can also contact Danielle Podejko in the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Community Relations Unit at 315-435-3006 or email DaniellePodejko@ongov.net. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Travel tips for disabilities with 'Blindish Latina' Catarina Rivera (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

How should you plan for a vacation with a disability? What kind of accessibility resources and options are available for travel? "Blindish Latina" and disability advocate Catarina Rivera talks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about her experiences growing up with hearing loss, trying to hide a progressive vision disability, accessibility tools for the deaf-blind such as a white cane and live captioning, and the importance of image descriptions for low vision audiences. She also shares some of her favorite places she's visited and meals she's enjoyed, plus provides insight on the four stages of her disability journey from denial to acceptance to self-advocacy to public advocacy. For more information about Catarina's public speaking and consulting services, visit https://www.catarinarivera.com [https://www.catarinarivera.com/]. You can also watch Catarina's videos on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CatarinaRivera/ [https://www.youtube.com/@CatarinaRivera/]  And follow her on social media @blindishlatina:  https://www.instagram.com/blindishlatina [https://www.instagram.com/blindishlatina]  https://www.tiktok.com/@blindishlatina [https://www.tiktok.com/@blindishlatina]  “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Learning how to manage diabetes... with a video game (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

Did you know? Diabetes is considered a disability under the ADA because even if it's well-managed, it's still a chronic autoimmune condition that limits the endocrine system. Video game developer Sam Glassenberg speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about his free mobile app, “Level One: A Diabetes Game,” which helps people with Type 1 diabetes better learn how to keep track of insulin therapy and blood sugar monitoring. He's previously worked on games for franchises like "Star Wars" and "Mission: Impossible" but wanted to help diabetics and parents of children with diabetes when he learned how challenging treatment is for new T1D's and their families. "On Friday, your life is normal. And then on Saturday, you're responsible for injecting precisely calculated doses of a lethal drug, insulin, into your kid (or yourself if diagnosed) 20 times a day," Glassenberg said of when his daughter was hospitalized and first diagnosed. "And if you get it wrong, she falls into a coma." Download "Level One: A Diabetes Game" for free through the Apple App Store or Google Play, or visit http://playlevelone.com [http://playlevelone.com/]. For more info about diabetes and disability benefits, visit the American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org [https://diabetes.org/]. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast [http://facebook.com/enablepodcast] or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Autism in military families: Finding stability while moving often (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

How can a military family find stability while constantly moving when they have a child with autism? Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jaime B. Parent and his wife, educator and autism specialist, Elizabeth "Tracy" Parent, spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower about their experiences raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, resources for military families with special needs, and tips for others when major changes can disrupt their school and home lives. "Parents, the very first thing they need to do is let the child know as soon as possible that you're going to be moving," Tracy said. "Get a calendar ready, and have visual supports there to let them know how many days until you get to the new school." Other tips include contacting the schools about an IEP, getting pictures of their child's new teachers, learning about available resources, and driving around the area to get them familiar with their new surroundings. "You really want to make sure the child feels comfortable and know what to expect. That's where their anxiety gets high," she added. They also shared advice and experiences from their book, "The Mission at Home: Navigating Military Assignments, TRICARE, Education, Benefits, and Everyday Life with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum," available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Home-Navigating-Assignments-Education-ebook/dp/B0GHZV5SDC/ [https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Home-Navigating-Assignments-Education-ebook/dp/B0GHZV5SDC/]  “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast [http://facebook.com/enablepodcast] or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]