In this insightful episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé is joined by nurse educator Michael Sigelman, who brings a wealth of experience and passion to improving healthcare practices for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Michael shares how his early experiences shaped his career and how he now plays a crucial role in training registered nurses and direct support professionals across his state.

Together, they discuss the importance of structured nurse education, the value of trained medication employees (TMEs), and the essential role of accurate documentation in providing consistent and person-centered care. Michael also emphasizes the power of listening, knowing individual baselines, and taking time—three simple yet impactful practices that can vastly improve health outcomes.

Through real-world examples, Michael and Dr. Escudé highlight the challenges and opportunities in achieving health equity, the significance of interprofessional collaboration, and the critical need for increased clinical training in IDD care. Whether you're a clinician, DSP, policymaker, or advocate, this episode offers actionable insights into creating a more inclusive, responsive, and informed healthcare system.

👉 Learn more about the tools and training mentioned in this episode at replacingrisk.com
👉 Explore career opportunities in IDD services at friendsforliferc.com

🎧 IDD Health Matters is a joint production of Friends for Life and IntellectAbility. Subscribe for more conversations on health, wellness, and equity for people with IDD.

In this episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with long-time advocate and leader Shelly Chandler to explore a lifetime of service and passion in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). From growing up immersed in the world of special education to running provider agencies and leading the Iowa Association of Community Providers for 17 years, Shelly shares how her personal and professional journey continues to influence better health outcomes for individuals with IDD.

Recorded live at the Kansas InterHab Conference, this conversation dives into the challenges of bridging communication gaps between providers, healthcare professionals, and managed care organizations—and why learning to "speak the same language" is essential for improving equity in healthcare. Shelly also offers key advice on building human-centered relationships, listening without assumptions, and staying relentless in the pursuit of opportunity and dignity for every person with IDD.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Shelly's insights from four decades in the field

• The critical role of communication in healthcare equity

• Why managed care needs to learn the language of IDD supports

• Her three powerful pieces of advice for advocates and professionals alike

Learn more in the show notes and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations that move the needle toward health equity.

On this episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with two remarkable nurses—Patty Haberkorn and Deanna Cox—at the Illinois Developmental Disabilities Nurses Conference. With a combined four decades of experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Patty and Deanna share powerful insights into nursing, advocacy, communication, and the often-overlooked emotional rewards of this career path.

Patty, who began her journey as a nurse and now serves as Executive Director at Futures Unlimited, and Deanna, a dedicated nurse who found her calling in DD care after working in long-term care, both reflect on how they "fell into the field" and stayed out of passion. They open up about the gaps in nursing education regarding IDD, the importance of understanding non-verbal communication, and the critical role of baseline behavior in diagnosing health issues.

This episode covers:

• The value of advocacy from nurses and direct support professionals

• Real-world challenges in educating physicians and gaining respect for individuals with IDD

• Why knowing a person's baseline behavior is crucial for accurate medical care

• The emotional connection between care staff and the individuals they support

• Staffing and funding challenges in the IDD sector—and why passion still keeps them going

Whether you're a nurse, DSP, administrator, or someone curious about working in disability services, this conversation offers heartfelt stories and essential wisdom about the importance—and joy—of working in this field.

🔗 Learn more about IDD Health Matters and explore career opportunities:
Friends for Life Residential Care – https://www.friendsforliferc.com
IntellectAbility – https://www.replacingrisk.com

In this inspiring episode of IDD Health Matters with Dr. Craig Escudé, we welcome Tony Thomas, Executive Director of Welcome House in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 24 years of leadership experience, Tony shares his remarkable journey into the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) — from a life-changing family discovery to a lifelong career dedicated to empowering individuals and advancing health equity.

Tony discusses how frontline Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the heart of the disability services field, his innovative initiatives to improve healthcare access for people with IDD, and how Welcome House is creating clear career pathways for DSPs, including specialized medical support roles. He also talks about the urgent need to address workforce shortages and improve wages for caregivers.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, building a meaningful career, or learning how true inclusion transforms lives, this episode is packed with wisdom, hope, and practical ideas for the future of IDD services.

🎙 Topics Covered:

• Tony's personal journey into disability services

• The importance of DSP career growth and training

• Innovative healthcare solutions for people with disabilities

• Advocacy for higher wages and better workforce support

• Why working in this field is both rewarding and life-changing

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on health, wellness, and equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

#IDDHealthMatters #DisabilityAdvocacy #DirectSupportProfessionals #DevelopmentalDisabilities #HealthEquity #DSPCareers #Inclusion #WelcomeHouse #HealthcareAccess

In this episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with Dr. Alice Bacherini, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Perugia in Italy, to explore how psychological research is helping dismantle biases in healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dr. Bacherini discusses her groundbreaking work developing tools to measure erroneous assumptions and self-efficacy among physicians when treating individuals with IDD. Together, they dive into how clinician attitudes impact health equity, the role of social dominance orientation in perpetuating stereotypes, and why direct interaction and inclusive communication are essential to better care outcomes.

Tune in to hear why IDD-specific training—especially hands-on experiences—can shift perspectives and improve quality of care. Dr. Bacherini also shares where to find her published scale, the Beliefs About Adults with ID (BAAID), and her three key pieces of advice for creating a more inclusive healthcare system.

Learn more at: replacingrisk.com
Career opportunities with Friends for Life: friendsforliferc.com

🎧 IDD Health Matters is a joint production of Friends for Life and IntellectAbility.

In this powerful episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with longtime civil rights attorney, disability advocate, and former Acting Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, Alison Barkoff. Now serving as the Hirsch Health Law and Policy Professor at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, Alison shares her personal journey rooted in her experiences as a sibling of a person with an intellectual disability—and how that shaped her life’s mission to advance health equity, civil rights, and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Together, they explore:

• The historic update to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act—modernizing anti-discrimination protections in healthcare for the first time in nearly 50 years.

• The hard truths about ableism, medical bias, and discriminatory crisis standards of care exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The urgent need to incorporate clinical care curricula into medical and health professional training to eliminate health disparities for people with IDD.

• The challenges of navigating a fragmented service system—and why it's still worth the fight.

Alison also shares her top three calls to action for improving the lives of people with IDD: building personal connections, embracing inclusive healthcare reform, and confronting the systemic complexity with commitment and compassion.

If you're a healthcare professional, policymaker, or advocate looking to better understand the intersection of disability rights, healthcare, and public policy—this is an episode you don't want to miss.

🔗 Learn more about Alison Barkoff’s work and resources mentioned in the episode in the show notes.

In this powerful episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with renowned disability advocate Liz Weintraub to explore what true health equity looks like for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Liz, a senior policy specialist at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), brings her lived experience and professional expertise to the conversation—sharing insights on advocacy, accessible healthcare, and the importance of plain language in medical settings.

Liz discusses AUCD’s national impact through 62 university-based centers across the U.S. and territories, her work on Capitol Hill, and key legislative priorities like ending subminimum wage (14c) and expanding home and community-based services. She also opens up about her own healthcare journey after a diabetes diagnosis, emphasizing the need for clear communication and respect for patient autonomy.

Listeners will also learn about Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All, Liz’s YouTube show that makes complex policy issues accessible to everyone. She shares how self-advocacy helped her transition out of institutional care and inspired her to empower others to do the same.

Tune in to hear Liz’s three essential tips for improving healthcare for people with IDD and why her message of "healthcare for all" is more important than ever.

🔗 Learn more about Liz’s work and resources mentioned in this episode by checking out the show notes.
🎙 IDD Health Matters is a joint production of Friends for Life and IntellectAbility.

In this inspiring episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé is joined by Dr. Ben Warner, a healthcare professional whose unique journey spans from dental practice to medical school—all fueled by a lifelong desire to serve those with the greatest needs.

Dr. Warner shares how his early experiences volunteering in hospitals sparked a deep commitment to healthcare and how that commitment evolved from dentistry to medicine. His story is one of resilience, family support, and a calling to provide equitable, compassionate care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Now a board member of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry (AADMD), Dr. Warner discusses his role in advancing the mission of healthcare equity, and how his work has consistently centered around improving access and quality of care for people with complex health needs.

Tune in to hear Dr. Warner’s three key takeaways for improving healthcare: recognizing that we are all patients, prioritizing care for those with the greatest needs, and embracing the importance of service and cooperation in creating a better healthcare system for all.

Learn more about AADMD at aadmd.org and explore tools to enhance health equity at replacingrisk.com.

This podcast is a joint production between Friends for Life and IntellectAbility. Visit friendsforliferc.com to explore career opportunities in the IDD field.