Season 1, All Episodes

YAFC Podcast Series

In late 2022 the RAISE Youth Advocates for Change (YAFC) began recording podcasts on topics important to them as youth with disabilities. Below is a listing of the episodes in the series so far. The YAFC hopes that this podcast highlights the youth voice and supports parent centers as they continue to engage with youth and their families.

Published Date: Feb 20, 2024

February is the month of Valentine’s Day, and members of the YAFC know how important dating and relationships are to young adults everywhere. In this episode, YAFC members will discuss their experience with dating and relationships as young adults with disabilities.

Hosts & Guests

Host: Everett Deibler

♦ Jennifer Siegel, Guest
♦ Hunter Steinitz, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 10:

Published Date: January 18, 2024

Faith communities can be a place to make connections, be a part of a community and connect with a purpose. During this episode YAFC members talk about how they are involved in faith communities and how that experience has been for them as a young person with a disability.

Hosts & Guests

Host: Everett Deibler

♦ Jennifer Siegel, Guest
♦ Hunter Steinitz, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 9:

Published Date: Dec 6, 2023

Finding and connecting with a community that matters to us can help a person build confidence, make connections, and find a purpose. During this episode YAFC members talk about how they are involved in community groups that are not just for people with disabilities and what their experience has been like to connect with others and use the opportunities to inform their future goals!

Hosts & Guests

Host: Everett Deibler

Erin Thomson, Guest
♦ Jennifer Siegel, Guest
♦ Holden Boully, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 8:

Published Date: Nov 15, 2023

People who are not familiar with disabilities are often curious about how people with disabilities live their lives. People are intrigued and want to learn how people do certain tasks. Knowing how to answer these questions can help create a more inclusive community. The cool part is that every person with a disability is unique, so their answers are different, and how they achieve and define independence is different. Tune in to this episode to hear the perspective of a couple YAFC members!

Hosts & Guests

Host: Everett Deibler

Guests: Atif Deen and Erin Thomson

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 7:

Published Date: October, 2023

Navigating the work world for people with disabilities is rewarding, but overcoming the low expectations society places on people with disabilities can be challenging. Listen to this episode to hear how some YAFC members have handled their interactions with coworkers.

Hosts & Guests

♦ Everett Deibler, Host
Erin Thomson, Guest
Julia Bruner, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 6: Disclosing Your Disability to a Coworker

Published Date: September, 2023

The YAFC is back with a new episode! Requesting accommodations at work is one thing, but discussing your disability with a coworker is another. Tune in to this episode to hear how YAFC members have handled these types of conversations!

Hosts & Guests

♦ Everett Deibler, Host
Atif Deen, Guest
Erin Thomson, Guest
Jennifer Siegel, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 5: Tips on how to be Good Self Advocate

Published Date: May, 2023

As a young adult, learning to speak up for yourself is important as you become an adult. Listen to this episode to hear YAFC members discuss their journey to becoming good self-advocates. During the episode, they’ll talk about things that have worked for them and their families and their challenges as young adult advocates.

Hosts & Guests

♦ Everett Deibler, Host
♦ Carly Dolan, Guest
♦ Julia Bruner, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 4:

Published Date: March, 2023
Staying healthy is important to anyone at any age. YAFC members talk about why it is so important to make sure youth are involved in their healthcare. Helping youth to understand what it means to be an adult and access healthcare is super important in their transition process.

Hosts & Guests

♦ Everett Deibler, Host
♦ Erin Thomson, Guest
♦ Jennifer Siegel, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 3: The impact of NOT having Accommodations in Place

Published Date: December, 2022
A youth having the accommodations they need in place on the job and at school, can make a huge difference in the amount of success that youth experiences. In this episode YAFC members talk about the importance of getting the accommodations someone needs to level the playing field.

Hosts & Guests

♦ Everett Deibler, Host
♦ Erin Thomson, Guest
♦ Jennifer Siegel, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 2: Invisible vs. Visible Disabilities

Published Date: December, 2022

Some disabilities are visible to the public and others can be hidden in plain sight. In this episode YAFC members talk about how transition and life in general can be different for those with hidden and visible disabilities.

Hosts & Guests

♦ Everett Deibler, Host
♦ Jennifer Siegel, Guest
♦ Carly Dolan, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.

Episode 1: Pilot Episode-The Power of Personal Stories

Published Date: November, 2022
Members of the YAFC talk about the importance of youth telling their personal story as it relates to their disability. A youth sharing their story can be empowering and challenging at the same time. How can a youth sharing their story help them grow as a person and advocate?

Hosts & Guests

♦ Everett Deibler, Host
♦ Carly Dolan, Guest
♦ Erin Thomson, Guest

Use the closed captioning feature by clicking the “CC” or “settings” icon within the video once you press the play button.