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.

In this episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with Richard Chapman, Assistant Director for Disability Leadership at the Partnership for People with Disabilities in Richmond, Virginia. With a background in mental health counseling and a deep commitment to advancing equity, Richard shares his journey and current work at the intersection of mental health and self-determination for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Richard dives into how increasing self-determination—the ability for individuals to make their own life choices—can lead to better mental health outcomes and an improved quality of life. He discusses his current research, supported by the National Research Consortium on Intellectual Disability and Mental Health, which aims to show a causal relationship between self-determination and reduced psychopathology.

Throughout the conversation, Richard highlights the importance of inclusion, cautions against the overuse of polypharmacy, and advocates for restraint-free support systems. He emphasizes that people with IDD not only deserve access to psychotherapy but also thrive when they’re empowered to make their own decisions.

Don’t miss this powerful discussion on redefining support systems, challenging outdated models, and building a more equitable future for people with IDD.

👉 Learn more about Richard's work and the resources mentioned by checking the show notes.
🎧 IDD Health Matters is a joint production of Friends for Life and IntellectAbility.

In this episode of the IDD Health Matters Podcast, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with Eddie Tuduri, a world-class drummer whose career included playing with legends like The Beach Boys, Loggins & Messina, Del Shannon, and Ricky Nelson. But in 1997, a life-altering accident left him paralyzed—an event that ultimately led him to create the Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP), a groundbreaking program that uses rhythm and percussion to enhance learning, communication, and rehabilitation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Eddie shares his inspiring story of resilience, the impact of music in therapy, and how his passion for drumming transformed into a global movement. He and Dr. Escudé discuss the importance of presuming competence, staying inquisitive, and the power of volunteering in making a meaningful impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

🔗 Learn more about TRAP at traplearning.org
📧 Contact Eddie at traplearning@gmail.com

Don't miss this powerful conversation about overcoming adversity, the healing potential of music, and how one man turned a tragedy into a mission that has changed thousands of lives worldwide. 🎶💙

In this episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with Rachel Potts, a dedicated nurse and Director of Nursing for ICF homes, to discuss the challenges and rewards of providing healthcare for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Rachel shares her journey into the field, beginning as a school nurse for children with autism, and how she quickly developed a passion for understanding and communicating with non-verbal individuals.

Throughout the conversation, Rachel and Dr. Escudé explore the critical need for better training and resources for healthcare professionals, the importance of observation skills in diagnosing health concerns, and the role of direct support professionals (DSPs) in advocating for individuals with IDD. Rachel also shares real-world experiences, including a powerful story about learning to recognize subtle health cues that might otherwise be overlooked.

Tune in to learn about the barriers in IDD healthcare, the importance of collaboration between providers, and how simple tools—like augmentative communication apps—can make a big difference. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, caregiver, or advocate, this episode offers valuable insights into improving healthcare equity for people with IDD.

🔗 Learn more about supporting individuals with IDD and access valuable resources by checking out the show notes!

#IDDHealthMatters #HealthcareEquity #DisabilityAdvocacy #IDD #MedicalTraining #CommunicationMatters