Discovering Disabilities in Dearborn

Disabilities Research Education and Advocacy Movement (DREAM)
  • 5.0 (8)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Join us for monthly episodes as we redefine and discover what it means to have a disability, focusing on our hometown community in Dearborn, Michigan. Listen to our guests share their stories about living with a disability - celebrate their success, achievements, and understand their hardships. We hope to offer a platform for people with disabilities to share their stories and get various types of perspectives about disabilities in Dearborn and the larger Arab American culture in the hopes that we can raise awareness about disabilities among Arab Americans.

  1. JAN 25

    Season Three Episode Four: Creative Needs

    We are returning from our hiatus with an episode about a great community organization, Creative Needs. With chapters now at several colleges in Michigan, we sat down with the University of Michigan members to learn more about what they are doing to help children with disabilities. They work with children with cognitive and intellectual disabilities to help stimulate their creativity, learn new skills, and find their passions. Watch the episode so learn more about their various events and initiatives and how to support them. Background music: Jazz Music by Bensound https://www.bensound.com/ Promoted by https://bit.ly/2Z816Aa Creative Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://goo.gl/9ezBZw

    52 min

  2. 07/27/2025

    Season Three Episode Three: Asad Siddiqui

    Our latest episode is one of our most inspiring ones yet. We sat down with Asad, a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. Having been diagnosed late in his life with autism, Asad had to grow up learning various coping mechanisms for his daily life, never knowing why certain things that society tried to push onto him as "the norm" didn't feel right. Listen to his inspiring journey and the you'll be sure to learn something new. You can contact him on his Instagram @siddoss. Background music: Jazz Music by Bensound https://www.bensound.com/ Promoted by https://bit.ly/2Z816Aa Creative Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://goo.gl/9ezBZw

    1h 1m

  3. 06/29/2025

    Season Three Episode Two: Rawan Darouiche

    For the next episode, we get to sit down with one of DREAM's ver own members, Rawan Darouiche. Learn more about her job as a social worker, the impact it has on students, and the field itself. Rawan has been a long time advocate for Arab representation in the field of social work so that our community can be better served and get the resources it needs. We also get to hear some inside stories and facts about DREAM! Background music: Jazz Music by Bensound https://www.bensound.com/ Promoted by https://bit.ly/2Z816Aa Creative Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://goo.gl/9ezBZw

    42 min
  4. Season Three Episode One: Khodr Farhat

    03/02/2025

    Season Three Episode One: Khodr Farhat

    Welcome back to season three of Discovering Disabilities in Dearborn. We are starting with one of our most interesting conversations this season - Khodr Farhat. He is a community activist and politician in Dearborn, always rooting himself in his faith and advocating for those who need it most. This inspiring talk coves his dedication to being a public servant and how to maintain a positive mindset and overcome challenges. Background music: Jazz Music by Bensound https://www.bensound.com/ Promoted by https://bit.ly/2Z816Aa Creative Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://goo.gl/9ezBZw

    40 min

  5. 08/25/2024

    Season Two Episode Nine: Mike Esseily

    After an exciting season, tune in for our season 2 finale with Mike Esseily, Director of Special Education at Dearborn Public Schools. With back to school season starting, we sat down with Mike to learn more about the special education initiatives in the school system. He gives us insights on the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure the best resources for all students and creating equal opportunities for everyone. From board certified behavior specialists, a special education PTA, to social workers for all students, DPS places a huge emphasis on the special education department and the importance of advocating for these individuals. DPS Social & Emotional Hotline -  313-827-8500 or dss@dearbornschools.org Background music: Jazz Music by Bensound https://www.bensound.com/ Promoted by https://bit.ly/2Z816Aa Creative Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://goo.gl/9ezBZw

    1h 4m

  6. 07/28/2024

    Season Two Episode Eight: Hind Omar

    We had the pleasure of sitting down with Hind Omar, an aspiring lawyer and strong advocate for people with disabilities. Hind is legally blind and has grown up with various experiences navigating her disability, from receiving too many accommodations to having to prove herself and worth so she can be considered an equal. We learn more about her accommodation experiences, being an advocate for yourself, and how to better treat people with disabilities. Background music: Jazz Music by Bensound https://www.bensound.com/ Promoted by https://bit.ly/2Z816Aa Creative Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://goo.gl/9ezBZw

    1h 8m

  7. 06/09/2024

    Season Two Episode Seven: Aimee & Christina

    In our next episode we talked with Aimee and Christina from Services to Enhance Potential, also known as STEP. STEP is a non-profit organizations with various programs and initiatives to serve the disabilities community in the larger Southeast Michigan area and focus on helping people with disabilities gain employment and achieve satisfaction with their work. Aimee and Christina oversee a number of programs within STEP and have helped countless individuals during their time with the organization, watch or listen to the episode to learn more about all the work they do and the resources available. For more information, to get involved with, or any questions about STEP, you can contact Aimee at aszabo@stepcentral.org. Background music: Jazz Music by Bensound https://www.bensound.com/ Promoted by https://bit.ly/2Z816Aa Creative Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://goo.gl/9ezBZw

    1h 2m

  8. 03/17/2024

    Season Two Episode Six: Ali "Slim" Alabbas

    To kick off the rest of Season 2, we had the chance to talk with Ali Alabbas. Ali owns a media production company, Insight Media Productions and is a member of the non-profit organization, Talk To Muslims, which focuses on providing support to the local Muslim community and empowering individuals to develop their skills and passions. Along with all of this, he is a loving father to a son with autism and just last year, he and his wife decided to take a life-changing step and go to Panama to get his son stem cell therapy to help treat the symptoms of his autism. Tune in to our mid-season premiere to learn more about this emerging therapy and how Ali has navigated his life as a father, from wanting a sense of normalcy for his son, finding community resources, and accepting his son for who he is, no matter what others might have to say. Background music: Jazz Music by Bensound https://www.bensound.com/ Promoted by https://bit.ly/2Z816Aa Creative Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://goo.gl/9ezBZw

    56 min
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About

Join us for monthly episodes as we redefine and discover what it means to have a disability, focusing on our hometown community in Dearborn, Michigan. Listen to our guests share their stories about living with a disability - celebrate their success, achievements, and understand their hardships. We hope to offer a platform for people with disabilities to share their stories and get various types of perspectives about disabilities in Dearborn and the larger Arab American culture in the hopes that we can raise awareness about disabilities among Arab Americans.

Information

  • Creator
    Disabilities Research Education and Advocacy Movement (DREAM)
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Disabilities Research Education and Advocacy Movement (DREAM)
  • Show Website
    Discovering Disabilities in Dearborn