Advocating for Change: DSPs, Disability Policy, and Building Bridges in Washington, DC

Advocating for Change: DSPs, Disability Policy, and Building Bridges in Washington, DC

In this episode, Nicolas Comstock chats with Bethany Toledo and Aaron Mendoza about their roles with Lighthouse COBE and Open Door Columbus. Bethany and Aaron discuss their paths into disability advocacy and balancing duties as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and theater coordinators. They share insights from a recent disability policy seminar in Washington, DC, including meetings with lawmakers, using one-page policy briefs, and technology's role in advocacy. The episode also covers the importance of fair DSP compensation, Bethany's podcast "The Direct Line," and leadership programs for empowering DSPs, concluding with reflections on advocacy and gratitude. (0:00) Opening reflections and podcast introduction (1:54) Guest introductions: Bethany Toledo and Aaron Mendoza (3:07) Overview of Lighthouse COBE and Open Door Columbus (4:04) Bethany's background in the field (6:11) Aaron's entry into disability advocacy (8:01) Aaron's initial experience with Opendoor (10:49) Balancing DSP duties and theater coordination (12:11) Trip to Washington, DC: Purpose and highlights (13:13) Disability policy seminar overview (17:29) Meetings with lawmakers and aides (22:58) Building relationships with legislators (24:27) Aaron's feelings before advocacy meetings (26:14) Sharing experiences from meeting locations (27:50) The one-page policy brief: Advocacy tool (30:30) Role of technology in advocacy (31:38) Reflections after advocacy meetings (34:13) Assessing meeting outcomes (36:40) The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) explained (39:14) DSPs vs. other caregiving roles (42:37) The need for fair DSP compensation (43:14) Bethany's podcast: The Direct Line (46:06) Empowering DSPs through leadership programs (53:08) Culinary experiences in Washington, DC (57:20) Final thoughts on advocacy and getting involved (1:00:13) Closing remarks and gratitude (1:02:27) Sign-off and outro

Nobody Told Disabled Kids They Could Succeed | The Real Problem

In this episode, Nicolas Comstock is joined by Philip Bramwell for a candid conversation on independence and employment for people with disabilities. They delve into the concept of sheltered workshops, discussing personal experiences, challenges with sub-minimum wage, and the ethics involved. The discussion expands to education's role in employment opportunities and accessibility issues, including bathroom breaks and airplane transfers. The episode also touches on the complexities of job accommodations, vocational rehabilitation, and the financial limitations posed by ABLE accounts. They conclude with reflections on pride in fast food jobs and the internal drive for independence, wrapping up with guest promotion. (0:00) Visualizing independence and podcast introduction (1:04) Guest introduction and casual conversation (2:34) Reflecting on the podcast's journey (3:05) Sheltered workshops and employment for people with disabilities (5:01) Defining sheltered workshops (7:31) Personal experiences in day programs (9:07) Employment challenges and sub-minimum wage (11:41) The ethics of sub-minimum wage in sheltered workshops (14:16) Education and its impact on employment opportunities (18:07) Personal schooling experiences (23:18) Guest's current employment (27:45) Accessibility and bathroom breaks at work (29:36) Transferring on airplanes and related challenges (32:17) Staying in wheelchairs on planes (33:36) Employment experiences and fairness (36:52) Challenges of firing disabled employees (40:19) Issues with job accommodations (43:06) Ineffectiveness of vocational rehabilitation (47:11) Internal desire for independence (51:23) ABLE accounts and financial limitations (55:12) Fast food jobs and pride (56:23) Wrap-up and guest promotion

Politicians Ignore Disability Rights So Let's Stop Fighting Each Other to Make the Change!!

In this episode, Nicolas Comstock updates listeners on the podcast's purpose, recent developments, and expresses gratitude to guests. He discusses the importance of advocacy, reactions to a Facebook post, and an open letter to Donald Trump, calling for bipartisan cooperation on disability issues. Nicolas shares personal experiences with employability assessments, financial struggles, and food stamps, emphasizing political unity. He also touches on Nicole Jorwick's podcast, disability services in Texas, and upcoming guests. The episode concludes with voting experiences and a call for financial support for the podcast. Nicks LinkTree https://linktr.ee/comstock33?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b8ad5d4a-6c5b-4134-ad36-fb09a7caf2e2 [https://linktr.ee/comstock33?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b8ad5d4a-6c5b-4134-ad36-fb09a7caf2e2] (0:00) Introduction, podcast purpose, and updates (3:13) Thanks to recent guests and patient lift update (6:33) Advocacy, persistence, and not giving up (9:43) Facebook post discussion and community reactions (12:07) Open letter to Donald Trump (14:03) Need for bipartisan cooperation (19:03) Political inaction on disability issues (21:45) Personal experiences with employability assessments (24:07) Frustration with both political parties (26:27) Engaging with all political sides (29:12) Food stamps, financial struggles, and self-supporting efforts (34:24) Addressing congressional priorities (36:36) Calling for political unity (39:01) Nicole Jorick's podcast on institutions (42:07) Disability services in Texas and the forgotten community (45:20) Upcoming guests (46:13) Voting experiences and frustrations (48:51) Disability policy and politics (50:18) Supporting the podcast financially

Our Politicians are Making Disability Decisions Without Disabled People, WTH!

In this episode, Nicolas Comstock and Nicole Jorwic discuss the importance of centering disabled people in decision-making. Nicole shares her advocacy journey for her brother and insights from the "In Sickness" podcast. They cover topics like state rankings in disability services, special education law, and the impact of not receiving a high school diploma. Nicole highlights her experiences as a care worker and policy advocate, stressing bipartisan support and the effects of Medicaid cuts. They also explore media influence, community-based care benefits, and financial implications of downsizing state institutions. The episode concludes with a call to action and gratitude to listeners. (0:00) Centering disabled people in decision-making and podcast introduction (1:22) Introduction of guest Nicole Jorwic and her background (2:05) Discussion on "In Sickness" podcast and guest invitation (3:55) Nicole's journey and advocacy for her brother (5:20) State rankings and differences in disability services (8:18) Nicole's advocacy for disabled voices (10:18) Nicole’s experience with special education law (13:09) Comparing private and public school special education (17:15) Impact of not receiving a high school diploma (18:27) Nicole's experience as a care worker and bipartisan support (20:53) Nicole's policy work and Medicaid cuts (25:05) Explanation and continuation of Medicaid's impact on services (29:15) Media's role in shaping public perception and fraud narrative (32:22) Invitation to policymakers and bipartisan collaboration (36:01) Institutional care vs. community-based services (39:41) Financial implications of downsizing state institutions (41:33) State institutions vs. private care facilities (44:15) State initiatives to reduce waiting lists and Ohio's county-based services (50:05) Encouragement to focus on quality services and advocacy for disability housing (54:13) Final encouragement, call to action, and closing remarks (55:55) Thanking listeners, preview of next episode, and call to engage

Why Most Disability Support Systems Focus on Control Instead of Respecting Human Rights

In this episode, Nicolas Comstock is joined by Jeanne Stuntz to explore the significance of terminology and active listening within the disability community. Jean shares her journey from babysitting to becoming an advocate, detailing her work with Dynamic Pathways and her career in music therapy. They discuss the role of Human Rights Committees, the impact of COVID-19 on control measures, and the importance of updating the ADA. The conversation delves into systemic challenges, the intersection of the criminal justice system with DD services, and the balance of service provision. Jean emphasizes meaningful activities, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship, while also addressing power dynamics in caregiving and the value of self-direction. Website https://www.dpioh.com/ (0:00) Introduction and importance of terminology and listening in the disability community (1:03) Nicolas welcomes guest Jean Stuntz (1:22) Jean Stuntz's background, family, and work with Dynamic Pathways (3:32) Jean's early experience and transition from babysitting to disability advocacy (9:56) Early challenges and misconceptions about disabilities (14:25) Jean's career in music therapy (21:05) Founding of Dynamic Pathways (22:52) Human Rights Committees: role, importance, and engaging activities (28:26) Concerns about systemic control over people with disabilities (30:25) Impact of COVID-19 on control measures (32:11) Discussion on the term differently abled (35:20) Addressing the concept of inspiration porn (39:42) Revisiting Human Rights Committee and Prader-Willi syndrome (45:38) Determining the necessity of rights restrictions (49:08) Concerns over potential elimination of property tax and its impact on services (55:01) Updating the ADA to strengthen its effectiveness (57:27) Financial implications of institutions vs. community living (1:00:15) Intersection of the criminal justice system and DD services (1:04:52) Balancing over serving and under serving in DD services (1:09:42) Partnering with other community systems for support (1:12:24) Importance of meaningful activities and personal goals (1:13:36) Increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities (1:16:14) Challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship with a disability (1:18:16) Role of faith in personal and professional life (1:22:01) Advice for newcomers in the caregiving field (1:23:11) Importance of understanding the person beyond the care plan (1:24:39) Addressing power dynamics in caregiving (1:25:20) Self-direction and supported decision making (1:26:54) Personal experiences with domineering family