Adventures in Accessibility

Rocky Mountain ADA Center
  • 5.0 (14)
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Americans living with disabilities are often faced with obstacles when it comes to accessibility. These obstacles can lead to adventures and misadventures alike. Twice per month, an esteemed guest will share their story with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center. Whether you want to learn about how to make life more accessible for you or a loved one, this podcast is for you. New episodes come out Wednesdays at 10:30 AM MST. Transcripts are always available in the show notes. 

  1. Ep. 87 - Alma and Mike Loveland

    5D AGO

    Ep. 87 - Alma and Mike Loveland

    Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe087 This week's guests are Alma and Mike Loveland. Alma and Mike are the co-founders of Your Very Favorite, a creative educational publishing company based in Utah. Together, they design and produce engaging coloring and activity books that help kids and families learn about important topics from community services and public health, to science and environmental stewardship. Their work combines humor, clever puzzles, and thoughtful storytelling to turn complex subjects into experiences that are fun, memorable, and genuinely educational. Mike, who grew up in Orem, Utah, has had a lifelong passion for children's books and illustration. Known for his love of fascinating trivia and random facts, he brings a playful curiosity to every project. Becoming a children's book illustrator has always been his dream, but just as that dream was becoming a reality, Mike lost function in his dominant hand. His determination to continue creating has become an important part of his story and his work. Alma grew up in Northern Ontario, Canada, and has spent her life working across writing, design, and teaching. She brings energy, human, and big picture creative vision to their projects. Together, Alma and Mike draw constant inspiration from their three kids, now tweens and teenagers, whose personalities and interests helped shape the unique format of their books. In fact, since their own kids never liked traditional coloring books, they set out to create activity books that would still capture the attention of curious kids who want something more engaging. When they're not working, Alma and Mike enjoy creative hobbies like sewing, gardening, collecting, tinkering, and making art, along with keeping up with their busy family life in what they jokingly call the taxi stage of parenting. Connect with the Lovelands: Your Very Favorite | Discover Custom Activity Books! Your Very Favorite (@yourveryfavorite) | TikTok Your Very Favorite (Books!) (@your.very.favorite) • Instagram photos and videos Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

    37 min
  2. Ep. 86 - Gail Nehls

    MAR 18

    Ep. 86 - Gail Nehls

    Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe086 This week's guest is Gail Nehls. Gail is a nonprofit executive and social entrepreneur with over a decade of leadership advancing accessibility and inclusive service delivery. As CEO of Envida, she has led significant organizational growth while expanding transportation, healthcare access, and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities across Colorado. Gail brings deep experience in public administration, policy advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration, and is a frequent national speaker and board member focused on equitable access and community impact. Connect with Gail: Mobile: 719-660-2806 Transportation Line: 719-633-4677 Envida Cares – Colorado Springs - envida Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

    25 min
  3. Ep. 85 - Sheridan Powell

    MAR 4

    Ep. 85 - Sheridan Powell

    Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe085 This week's podcast guest is Sheridan Powell. Sheridan works as the communications manager at Visit Colorado Springs. She leads the organization's accessibility efforts, including an accessibility task force, a partnership with accessible travel company Wheel the World, and more. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and strategic communications in 2020, and shortly thereafter relocated to Colorado Springs where she's lived ever since. Connect with Sheridan:  Colorado Springs Official Vacation Guide - Visit Colorado Springs Visit Colorado Springs (@visitcos) • Instagram photos and videos Visit Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs CO | Facebook Visit Colorado Springs - YouTube TikTok - Make Your Day Sheridan@VisitCOS.com Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

    22 min
  4. Ep. 84- Kaeia Perez

    FEB 18

    Ep. 84- Kaeia Perez

    Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe084 This week's podcast guest is Kaeia Perez. Kaeia writes dark witchy, young adult horror about eerie towns, haunting rituals, and girls who refuse to burn quietly. Author of Emberwomb, she blends lyrical prose with unsettling truths and just a touch of magic. She resides in New York state with her husband and two little support cats. Connect with Kaeia:  Magickalgirloccult • Instagram KJ Tarot | FacebookMagickalGirl (@kjtarot) | TikTok Amazon.com: Emberwomb: 9798292775638: Perez, Kaeia: Books Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

    31 min
  5. Ep. 83 - Katherine Macfarlane

    FEB 4

    Ep. 83 - Katherine Macfarlane

    Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe083 This week's podcast guest is Kat Macfarlane. Professor Macfarlane serves as professor of law and director of the Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse University College of Law. She teaches and writes about disability law, civil rights litigation, and constitutional law. Her scholarship has been published in the Georgetown Law Journal, Fordham Law Review, Washington Law Review, North Carolina Law Review, Alabama Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal Forum, among others. Professor Macfarlane recently served as special counsel to the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Prior to joining academia, Kat practiced law in Los Angeles and New York-based law firms and clerked for the District of Arizona and the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She received her BA, magna cum laude, from Northwestern University and her JD cum laude from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Connect with Kat:  Kat Macfarlane (@katmacfarlane.bsky.social) — Bluesky SSRN Home Page Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

    32 min
  6. Ep. 82 - Annie Heathcote

    11/12/2025

    Ep. 82 - Annie Heathcote

    Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe082 This week's podcast guest is Annie Heathcote. Annie is a multi-business owner, social media influencer, author, Christian and lifelong disability advocate whose life and work embody the belief that disability does not mean inability. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at just 13 months old, Annie has spent her life breaking barriers, championing accessibility, and inspiring others with her message of resilience and faith. She was crowned Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin in 2023. Using her platform, Caring is Caregiving to reach more than 100,000 people through schools, conferences, organizations, and media appearances across the state. Her advocacy took her to the Miss Wheelchair America national competition where she placed in the top five, earning second runner up and the best speech award. She has since been recognized as a woman of the year for Dane County for her leadership and community impact beyond advocacy. Annie is the founder of Annie Designs and Annie Speaks LLC, where she works as a freelance web and graphic designer and transformational speaker. She also brings creativity and joy into her everyday life through travel, art, music, and her past achievements as an elite athlete in the adaptive sport of power soccer. Annie's mission is simple but powerful. Love, serve God and others, work hard and never give up.  Connect with Annie:  Annie Speaks | Disability. Dignity. Destiny. Annie's Portfolio – Intentional. Impactful. Invigorating. Annie Speaks | Facebook Annie Heathcote I Disability Advocate & Speaker (@annieheathcote) • Instagram photos and videos Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

    26 min
  7. Ep. 81 - Jordan Burk

    10/29/2025

    Ep. 81 - Jordan Burk

    Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe081 This week's podcast guest is Jordan Burk. Jordan is the author of the Kelly And Kelso Children's book series and the creator of Kelly and Friends, an animated series currently in development that's set to be the first US cartoon with a lead character who has Down syndrome. Inspired by his late Uncle Kelly, Jordan writes stories that celebrate kindness, friendship, and the value of every child. Known to students as, That Koala Guy, thanks to Professor Kelso, his six-foot plush sidekick, Jordan brings laughter and life lessons to schools, libraries, and stages across the country. He's been recognized nationally for his work, but at the heart of it all, his mission is simple to remind us that being different is something to celebrate Connect with Jordan:  Discover Kelly & Kelso Series - Inspiring Stories of Special Needs Advocacy by Jordan Burk Kelly and Kelso | Facebook Kelly & Kelso ™ (@kellyandkelso) • Instagram photos and videos Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

    25 min
  8. Ep. 80 - Cindy Bentley

    10/15/2025

    Ep. 80 - Cindy Bentley

    Transcript: rmad.ac/AIAe080 This episode's podcast guest is Cindy Bentley. For the last 25 years, Cindy has been Wisconsin's foremost voice for inclusion and civil rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1999, Cindy helped found People First Wisconsin, a statewide disability advocacy organization with a mission to provide opportunities for people with disabilities in Wisconsin to speak up and be heard about healthcare, voting, employment, housing, and transportation issues. Cindy began her work at People First Wisconsin as an advocacy specialist, but was promoted to executive director and is the only person with an intellectual disability leading an advocacy organization in Wisconsin. Cindy recently received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in recognition of her many years of advocacy. Cindy serves on several boards, including the Governor's Committee for People with Disabilities, Life Navigators Board, and the Milwaukee County Combined Community Services Board. The Wisconsin Historical Society published a biography, which Cindy co-authored called Cindy Bentley: Spirit of a Champion. Choose the Pond, a short film about Cindy's life was recently shown at the 2025 Wisconsin Film Festival. Cindy is a highly decorated Special Olympics athlete and global messenger. She's currently training for the Special Olympic National Games in 2026 where she will play volleyball for Team Wisconsin. Connect with People First Wisconsin:  People First Wisconsin People First Wisconsin | Facebook Connect with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at RockyMountainADA.org or find us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Americans living with disabilities are often faced with obstacles when it comes to accessibility. These obstacles can lead to adventures and misadventures alike. Twice per month, an esteemed guest will share their story with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center. Whether you want to learn about how to make life more accessible for you or a loved one, this podcast is for you. New episodes come out Wednesdays at 10:30 AM MST. Transcripts are always available in the show notes. 

Information

  • Creator
    Rocky Mountain ADA Center
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Rocky Mountain ADA Center
  • Show Website
    Adventures in Accessibility