Ability Media, along with the School of Communications, serves to educate the public about the unique skills and potential people with disabilities can offer. We are dedicated to elevating the voices and visibility of people living with all types of disabilities, both seen and unseen. Working alongside media professionals provides those with different abilities the chance to learn and grow their leadership and employability skills in an industry that all demographic groups look to for guidance.
The School of Communications relies upon the expertise of students, faculty and media experts in classes, internships and student media to produce and promote disability-themed programs, podcasts and research on potential audiences - all centered on the common need for inclusion and access.
Our goal is to build this effort until it’s a nationwide movement that encompasses all forms of media and multiple organizations that promote people with different abilities.
Justin Janoson ’22 had an idea — an idea that developed during the silence and separation resulting from the pandemic and subsequent quarantine that would enable him and others like him to be better represented in the media.
Janoson has ADHD, and his twin sister has autism. Growing up not seeing much representation of disabilities in films and television, Janoson set out to change that.
AMP'ed gives a voice to the differently-abled community, shining a light on the issues they face every day. Hosted by Alena Galan and William Dean, the duo break down the latest news and interview important voices from the community.
The AMP'ed Podcast is a creation of Ability Media and Quinnipiac University's School of Communications.
You don't need perfect eyesight to be considered a visionary. In fact, literal vision isn't even a requirement. Join hosts Jon Steinberg and Santino Maione, an Ability Media intern, for weekly stories of inspiration, defying the odds and demonstrating exactly what it takes to be called a visionary.
The podcast is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio in partnership with Ability Media, and is produced by David DesRoches, director of community programming.
This is a podcast about people with different abilities and how they are shaped by their experiences. Hosted by Alena Galan, an alumna of Quinnipiac University, the podcast hopes to change a common perception: that people with disabilities are somehow unable to follow their dreams.
The podcast is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio in partnership with Ability Media, and is produced by David DesRoches, director of community programming.
On "Behind the Mind", host Kevin Meiselman interviews guests who have experienced mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addiction and PTSD to help fight the stigma surrounding mental illness and raise awareness. This show provides a platform for people to share stories of personal adversity to inspire hope in those currently suffering. It’s also meant to enlighten and inform people who are unfamiliar with mental health struggles and the problems they create. Having overcome his own share of mental health struggles, Kevin believes in the importance of opening up to better the lives of others.
Welcome to Moving Forward with Achilles CT, presented by U-Haul. Achilles CT is the Connecticut chapter of Achilles International, a global, non-profit organization that looks to transform the lives of people with disabilities by pairing athletes with disabilities and medical conditions with runners without disabilities in order to become active, set goals, and lower barriers to live a fulfilling life. Host Clever Streich introduces the inspirational athletes, guides, volunteers and leaders that make up the Achilles CT community, as we hear their stories and they share their experiences.
We are dedicated to staying up to date on the latest disability related news. Below you can find many of the websites we frequently visit in order to do so.
ADA National Network: provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
All Walks of Life: works to prevent violence against people with disabilities through collecting data, providing education, publishing reports and working with the community
American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: the leader in advocating quality of life and rights for those with intellectual disabilities
American Association of People with Disabilities: advocates for full civil rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living and political participation
American Council for the Blind: works toward the independence, security, equality of opportunity and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people
Cerebral Palsy Group: provides useful cerebral palsy resources while continuing to bring the most up to date information from trusted sources as it becomes available
Disability Media Alliance Project: provides support on disability-themed stories by working with content creators to help tell accurate, compelling stories that disrupt, transcend, and transform traditional stereotypes
Disability Rights Advocates: the leading national nonprofit disability rights legal center
Disability Rights Connecticut: takes action to to advance and protect the civil rights of individuals with disabilities in Connecticut
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund: a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities
Disability Visibility Project: provides online spaces for people to share and connect collected oral histories in the form of tweets, podcast episodes, radio stories, audio clips, images, blog posts and more
International Dyslexia Association: a non-profit education and advocacy organization devoted to issues surrounding dyslexia
Learning Disabilities Association of America: aims to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities through support, education and advocacy
Little People of America: a national nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families
National Association of the Deaf: the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals
National Autism Association: advocates for federal policy and resources that address the most urgent needs of the autism community and conducts research that uncovers and addresses the most critical challenges families and individuals face
National Center on Disability and Journalism: provides support and guidance for journalists as they cover people with disabilities
Nations Disability Institute: influences thinking and behavior through pioneering research, advocacy, policy development, training and technical assistance
National Disability Rights Network: the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities
National Down Syndrome Congress: the leading national resource of support and information for anyone touched by or seeking to learn about Down syndrome
National Multiple Sclerosis Society: non-profit organization that was founded in New York City as the Association for Advancement of Research on Multiple Sclerosis
NubAbility: encourages, inspires and instructs limb different youth by getting them out of the stands, off the bench and into mainstream sports
Respect Ability: a nonprofit organization that works collaboratively with employers, elected officials, policy makers, educators, self-advocates, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, philanthropists and the entertainment and news media to fight stigmas and advance opportunities
Runway of Dreams: a non-profit organization that works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities
We’re always here to help provide additional information and answer any questions you may have.
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