“I always wanted to be an actor since I was probably born,” says Santina Muha in this fun and frank conversation. Santina is a comedian and actor who hosts the series “Rollin’ With My Homies,” featuring conversations with wheelchair users like herself. Santina tells Christina and Lauren that while she doesn’t always think of herself as a disability activist first, she has been advocating for herself since she was 6 years old and sees her performance work as an extension of that.

Find Santina Muha on YouTube at @santinamuha2016.

Stream podcast audio at mopdallaccess.podbean.com

Follow MOPD at mopdchicago on X, Facebook, Instagram and connect with us on LinkedIn.

In honor of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March), the MOPD All Access Podcast welcomes Dani Smith of City Colleges of Chicago to talk about a Transitions program City Colleges has for students with disabilities.

Dani Smith is the District Director of Comprehensive Transition Programs. In this job, she supports students with disabilities and oversees After 22, a program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Illinois, special education programs in high schools end at the age of 22, but many students still need support in their transition to employment. Students in After 22 program create an individual plan to take them from school to employment. The program celebrated its first completion ceremony in the summer of 2024.

After 22 is a City Colleges of Chicago program run at Richard J. Daley College and Wilbur Wright College. Students in the program can get financial aid or work with IDHS’ Division of Rehabilitation Services to get support. Students who join must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma and a developmental or individual disability.

The summer youth job program One Summer Chicago, which Dani mentioned, is accepting applications now at onesummerchicago.org. Join the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities on Saturday, April 26 from 12-3PM to apply for summer jobs and get information at the Inclusive Summer Jobs Expo. This event will be held at the Little Italy Branch of the Chicago Public Library at 1336 West Taylor Street. For more information, go to cityofchicago.org/disabilities.

Learn more about the Anixter program connecting students with internships here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6EYbde6zz4

Stream podcast audio at mopdallaccess.podbean.com

Follow MOPD at mopdchicago on X, Facebook, Instagram and connect with us on LinkedIn.

InfiniTeach is a Chicago-based nonprofit that has been a leader in technology, accessibility, and inclusion for people who are neurodiverse. On the latest episode of the #MOPDAllAccess podcast, we speak to four members of the InfiniTeach team -- co-founders Katie Hench and Lally Daley Hotchkiss and employees Aliyah Rich and Ned Williams -- about how to build a more inclusive world for people who are neurodiverse. Because people who are neurodiverse show up in every workplace and career, whether we know it or not, “everyone has a neurodiverse team.” We can all carry on InfiniTeach’s important work!

Stream podcast audio at mopdallaccess.podbean.com

Follow MOPD at mopdchicago on X, Facebook, Instagram and connect with us on LinkedIn.