Adriana Quinones is happy caring for three children, painting with colorful plastic diamonds, and hanging out with her mom. But something else she'd like in her life--a good man--has proven hard to find. She has intellectual and learning disabilities--compounded by English being her second language. Adriana doesn’t always recognize red flags, and has been abused in many ways by love interests. People with intellectual disabilities are at a higher risk of abuse than the general population. Society doesn't always set up adults with intellectual disabilities to succeed in relationships.
"Social inclusion is the 'next frontier' issue in intellectual and developmental (IDD) research, policy, and practice," says the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. People with intellectual disabilities are our classmates, coworkers, and neighbors. But the AAIDD says: “Social inclusion goes far beyond just being present in the community. It’s about the roles we take in civic life, who we love, and how we build fulfilling relationships with others.” The third season of A Valid Podcast brings listeners into the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and asks what society could do better to support social inclusion.
Guests:
Adriana Quinones
Monica Ruiz
Dr. Beverly Frantz, Temple Institute on Disabilities.
The podcast is produced by All-Abilities Media at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. The podcast will be published via Unabridged Press podcast channels. Images and written material will appear on PublicSource. A Valid Podcast is on Apple Podcasts, Anchor.fm Spotify, Google Podcasts, and others.
Point Park University's Claire Lindsey interviewed Adriana Quinones and Monica Ruiz, thanks to support from the Pittsburgh Media Partnership. Jennifer Szweda Jordan hosts this season with commentary from award-winning podcaster Erin Gannon. PublicSource Managing Editor Halle Stockton provided editorial advice. Jeweltone Production's Liz Reid mixed audio and interviewed guests. Portions of this podcast were recorded at Rain Cat Recording Studio in Jensen Beach, FL. Cover art was created by Mick Fisher, with assistance from Creative Citizen Studios. George Casselberry and Jane Ondrusek, from the Woodlands Foundation, provided music for this season.
