Welcome back to CP State(d), the podcast where we explore the people, ideas, and innovations powering progressfor individuals with disabilities in New York State and beyond. In this episode, Layla Hazlett, Director and Clinical Coordinator of Adult Services at Pathfinder Village, sits down with Connor McGough from Arise Adaptive Design in Syracuse, New York. Arise Adaptive Design is a community-based organization that creates custom, low-cost equipment to meet the specificfunctional needs of individuals with disabilities.

As an Occupational Therapist, Layla is passionate about the intersection of clinical research and functional independence. Joining her is Connor, whose work at Arise proves that the most impactful assistive technology doesn't always come from a catalog. Together, they discuss the art of "Adaptive Design"—the process of building custom, low-cost, and highly effective equipment to ensure that every individual has the physical access they need to participate fully in theircommunity and workplace.

We hope you enjoy this look at how custom adaptive design and clinical expertise can work hand-in-hand to remove physical barriers and foster true independence.

Don’t forget to catch all the CP State(d) and CP Short State(d) episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and several other platforms. We have a full slate of new and exciting topics coming your way as we continue to explore the cutting edge of the disability service field. From all of us at CP State(d), thank you for listening, and we look forward to having you with us next time!

Welcome back to CP State(d), the podcast where we explore the people, ideas, and innovations powering progress for individuals with disabilities in New York State and beyond. We are excited to continue our tech series, kicking off 2026, where CP State(d) discovers how technology and innovation are enhancing the lives of the I/DD community.

In this episode, Brianne Flewelling from Racker sits down with three members of GameU, an organization that takes virtual learning to a whole new level! Their STEAM-based curriculum was developed by gaming & technology professionals and designed to turn your student’s screen time into valuable skills that are productive and meaningful, all from the comfort of home. GameU is committed to an inclusive model that also focuses on empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the high-tech space.

Brianne chats with Brett Winters, Director of Enrollment Services; Susan Kittle, Lead Generation Specialist and Adam Coleman, Senior Instructor/Trial Team Manager. They focus on the mission and approach of GameU, including their core offerings, the role of STEAM education and the impact made in the community by connecting technology and inclusion.

Interested in GameU? Visit game-u.com. Workshops and Game Nights and other curriculum-based programming is available for all ability levels and interests.

Don't forget to catch all the CP State(d) and CP Short State(d) episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and most other major podcast platforms. Our Tech Series continues in the weeks to come, as well as more new and exciting topics to be shared in both audio and video formats as we continue to explore the disability service field.

Welcome back to CP State(d), the podcast where we explorethe people, ideas, and innovations powering progress for individuals with disabilities in New York State and beyond. We are excited to continue our tech series, kicking off 2026, where CP State(d) discovers how technology and innovation are enhancing the lives of the I/DD community.

In this episode, Brianne Flewelling from Racker sits downwith three members of GameU, an organization that takes virtual learning to a whole new level! Their STEAM-based curriculum was developed by gaming & technology professionals and designed to turn your student’s screen time into valuable skills that are productive and meaningful, all from the comfort of home. GameU is committed to an inclusive model that also focuses on empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the high-tech space.

Brianne chats with Brett Winters, Director of EnrollmentServices; Susan Kittle, Lead Generation Specialist and Adam Coleman, Senior Instructor/Trial Team Manager. They focus on the mission and approach of GameU, including their core offerings, the role of STEAM education and the impact made in the community by connecting technology and inclusion.

Interested in GameU? Visit game-u.com. Workshops and Game Nights and other curriculum-based programming is available for all ability levels and interests.

Don't forget to catch all the CP State(d) and CP Short State(d) episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and most other major podcast platforms. Our Tech Series continues in the weeks to come, as well as more new and exciting topics to be shared in both audio and video formats as we continue to explore the disability service field.

Welcome back to CP State(d), the podcast where we explore the people, ideas, and innovations powering progress for individuals with disabilities in New York State and beyond.

On this episode, titled "Leveling the Playing Field: Gaming, Accessibility, and Inclusion with SpecialEffect," CP State Communications & Operations Specialist, Kelsey Massyk, sits down with Jacob Holden, an Occupational Therapist from SpecialEffect, a UK-based organization that uses innovative technology to help people with physical challenges control video games, aiming for greater inclusion and quality of life. We discuss how SpecialEffect provides individualized setups, using tools like the Xbox Adaptive Controller, to help players with physical disabilities access video games for leisure and fun, advocating for accessible design in the gaming industry.

SpecialEffect is 100% reliant on donations and runs events like Game Blast every February. They also offer support worldwide, even if they don't send equipment outside the UK. You can learn more by visiting their website, specialeffect.org.uk , and check out their resources on accessible equipment and games at their other website, Game Access, at gameaccess.info

Don't forget to catch all the CP State(d) and CP Short State(d) episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and most other major podcast platforms. New and exciting topics will be shared in both audio and video formats as we continue to explore the disability service field.

Happy Holidays and welcome back to CP State(d), the podcast where we explore the people, ideas andinnovations powering progress for individuals with disabilities in New York State and beyond. In this episode, Laura Beth Malkowski from Aspire of Western New York and Nichole Belonge from CP North Country sit down with Kathleen Dowd, MSW Professor of Human Services, Human Services Department Chair at North Country Community College. NCCC offers several micro-credentialing programs, notably inDirect Support Professional (DSP) fields (Levels I, II, III) for working with individuals with developmental disabilities, funded by SUNY/OPWDD, offering stipends and pathways to national certification and degrees.

Thank you for tuning into this episode of CP State(d). We hope you enjoyed learning about the value of micro-credentialing programs for career advancement of Direct Support Professionals. Don’t forget to catch all the CP State(d) and CP Short State(d) episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and several other noted platforms. New and exciting topics will be shared in both audio and video formats as we continue to explore the disability service field. From all of us at CP State(d), we wish you a healthy and successful New Year!

Welcome back to CP State(d), the podcast where we explore the people, ideas and innovations powering progress for individuals with disabilities in New York State and beyond. We are happy to have you joining us for Part 2 of our interview with Kathy O’Connell. Brianne and Laura Beth will continue to explore The Confidence Gap in Dating, Disclosure & Dating Visibility, Debunking Sexual Ableism & Media Myths and Empowering self- Advocacy in Individuals. The team will also touch on ways to connect with Kathy at Radiant Abilities.

Thank you for tuning into Part 2 of our conversation with Kathy O’Connell. Don’t forget to catch all the CP State(d) and CP Short State(d) episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New and exciting topics will be shared in both audio and video formats as we continue to explore the disability service field.

Welcome back to CP State(d), the podcast where we explore the people, ideas and innovations powering progress for individuals with disabilities in New York State and beyond. In Part 1 of this episode, Brianne Flewelling from Racker and Laura Beth Malkowski from Aspire of Western New York have a conversation with Kathy’ O’Connell, the leader of Radiant Abilities and organization based in Syracuse, N.Y. Radiant Abilities is devoted to increased self-esteem, confidence, and empowerment for people in dating, relationships, and sexuality, particularly folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit radiantabilities.com

Please listen to Part 2 of our interview and don’t forget to catch all the CP State(d) and CP Short State(d) episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New and exciting topics will be shared in both audio and video formats as we continue to explore the disability service field.

Welcome to a special live edition of CP State(d) — recorded at the 2025 CP State Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs! This year’s theme, Powering Progress, is all about innovation, leadership, and the people driving the future of services for New Yorkers with disabilities.

In this episode, we’re spotlighting the Emerging Leaders Committee — a dynamic group of professionals from CP State Affiliates across the state who are shaping the next generation of leadership in our field.

Joining us for this conversation are:

• Nichole Belonge, Director of OPWDD Services at the Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country

• Brianne Flewelling, Senior Team Director at Racker

• Laura Beth Malkowski, Vice President of Day Services at Aspire of WNY

• Donovan R. McKenzie, Sr., MSA, Senior Coordinator of Operations at ADAPT Community Network

Together, they’ll share what inspired them to step into leadership, how they’re fostering growth and innovation across their agencies, and how emerging leaders can influence systems change statewide.

We’ll also explore the committee’s two major initiatives — a supervisor training series designed to strengthen the workforce and this very podcast, CP State(d) — which gives a platform to fresh voices in the disability field.

So, get ready to hear from four leaders who are not just imagining the future — they’re Powering Progress right now.