We are proud to present the first episode of the Disability Empowerment Now Podcast! Jovan Ruvalcaba is a Tucson-based attorney and disability rights advocate. We discuss his long-distance relationship, education, career, and the joy of traveling. Find the episode here.

Episode 2 with Rep. Jennifer Longdon is out now on our website and on all streaming platforms! Jennifer Longdon is one of two elected members of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 24, which covers Central Phoenix and South Scottsdale. Paralyzed in a random shooting in 2004, Jennifer is an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities and strengthening laws to curb gun violence. We also want to add a trigger warning to this episode because there are mentions of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, gun violence, and hospital abuse and neglect. Thank you so much for a very candid interview, Jennifer. Find the episode here.

Anita Altman is the co-founder of the ReelAbilities Film Festival, the largest festival in the U.S. dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Her vision provided the original foundation for ReelAbilities. She hoped that a film festival might be a worthwhile vehicle for sharing the importance of giving a platform to under represented voices. Find this episode here.

Kat Stradford is a single mom to a brilliant daughter and an extraordinary trans son. A twenty-year resident of Tucson, Kat is an outspoken advocate for victims of violent crime and has spent the last two years focused on policies that would help survivors of sexual and domestic violence. As a survivor herself, she is dedicated to removing obstacles that keep people in dangerous situations. Kat has been living with Ménière's Disease since 2020 and is acquiring deafness and learning sign language. She is currently a candidate for State House in the newly redistricted LD 18 and plans to focus on these issues as well as climate change, reproductive and voting rights, and expanding access to education.

You can support and follow her campaign at KatForAz.com! Find this episode here.

Dennis DeConcini is a former United States Senator who served in public office at the same time the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was debated crafted, and signed into law. Dennis practiced law in Tucson, AZ, for many years before being elected to Pima County Attorney from 1973 to 1976. This started his path towards achieving a seat in the US Senate. He was elected in 1977 and served until 1995. Dennis identifies as a Democrat but worked tirelessly to reach across the aisle to get important legislation passed. He discusses this work in his memoir From the Center of the Aisle. In this episode, Dennis reminisces about politics during his time and what it was like to debate the ADA. He also gives advice to disability advocates hoping to update the ADA during the current political atmosphere.

Thanks for coming on the show Dennis and your contribution to disability rights! Find this episode here.

Jared Perkins is the CEO of Children's Clinics, a Multi-Specialty Interdisciplinary medical center that provides comprehensive medical care for children with the most complex medical conditions in Southern Arizona.

Perkins is dedicated to ensuring that children with special health needs and their families have access to quality, comprehensive care. Perkins is passionate about cultivating organizations that are committed to quality, work place culture and sustainability - as well as their role in system advocacy.

Perkins received a Master's in public administration through the University of Arizona's School of Government and Public Policy and was inducted into the National Honors Society for Public Affairs and Administrators. Jared was recognized by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a 2016, 40 Under 40 Honoree. He currently serves on the board of the Autism Society of Southern Arizona and as an advisory member on the Arizona Governor's Advisory Committee for Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Sonoran University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). Find this episode here.

Kyle Lininger is Vice President of Clinical Integration at Intermountain Centers.

Concentrated areas of interest presently are public policy, non-profit management, behavior systems analysis, the Community Reinforcement Approach for Substance Use Disorders, and integrated value-based healthcare modeling and intervention. In previous roles, Kyle has provided and overseen programs supporting in-home delivered comprehensive and focused Applied Behavior Analysis. He has been a school Principal. Kyle supervised and supported Behavioral Health Residential Facilities in addition to foster care programs. He is the current Board President of the Autism Society of Southern Arizona. Find this episode here.

Jon Meyers became Executive Director of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council in March 2022, after serving as Executive Director of The Arc of Arizona since 2013.

Jon's background in the non-profit sector spans more than 30 years and ranges from the arts and education to social services and animal welfare. Throughout his career, he has held executive and development positions with, among others, The Leukemia Lymphoma Society; Arizona State University/ASU Foundation; Thunderbird School of Global Management; and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

He began his professional career in the External Relations office at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California.

Jon is a graduate of Santa Clara University with degrees in Theatre Arts and History. He and his wife live in Anthem, Arizona. They have three grown sons. Find this episode here.

Brie is the Executive Director of the Autism Society of Southern Arizona (ASSA). She began as a volunteer on the marketing committee, lending her experience by working in publishing, Commerce and digital marketing.

After graduating from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism she began working in publishing at Harper's Bazaar and Gourmet magazines. She also performed eCommerce services for Bond No. 9 Fragrances and Louis Vuitton in New York City, as well as digital marketing services for Perry Ellis brands in Miami. Brie is a graduate of the University of Arizona Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ArizonaLEND) program. Brie has recently received her Master of Arts Degree in Communication from Arizona State University as well as her certificate in Nonprofit Leader & Management from the University of Arizona Eller Executive Education Program. She is also a member of multiple groups and organizations - the Autism Society of America Marketing Task Force, the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities (UCEDD) Community Council, and the ArizonaLEND Letter of Intent (LOl) review panel. On top of all of the work and volunteering she does, Brie is also a parent and aunt to boys diagnosed with autism.

Brie is incredibly passionate about serving the Autism community and does her absolute best to serve others. Find this episode here.

J.J. Rico is the Chief Executive Officer at the Arizona Center for Disability Law, the protection and advocacy agency in Arizona, providing free legal services to people with disabilities. Prior to becoming the CEO, J.J worked as ACDL's litigation director and as a staff attorney. His legal work focused on the employment and access provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. J.J. has represented individuals with disabilities before state and Federal Courts and administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona Attorney General's Civil Rights Division.

ACDL's Mission: ACDL is a non-profit law firm that assists Arizonans with disabilities to promote and protect their legal rights to independence, justice, and equality.

ACDL's Vision: A society where people with disabilities enjoy full acceptance without barriers. Find this episode here.