Michael Alcorn is a dedicated student at Mohawk Community College, where he excels in the field of small business studies, having made the principal’s list three times and being an esteemed member of the National Honor Society. Michael is also known for his cheerful demeanor and commitment at Taco Bell, where he is training to become a manager. Despite overcoming learning disabilities, Michael is pursuing his dream to open his own restaurant, the Acorn Tree, highlighting his perseverance and passion for entrepreneurship.

Episode Summary:

Join host Asheley Blaise on this inspiring episode of DSP Talk, where she engages with Michael Alcorn, a student at Mohawk Community College and an aspiring entrepreneur currently working at Taco Bell. Michael shares his journey of overcoming learning disabilities and the pivotal role employment specialists played in helping him find and keep meaningful employment. Discover the personal challenges he faced and how he turned them into opportunities to grow, both in education and in his job.

In this enlightening conversation, Asheley and Michael delve into the significance of job coaches in the IDD field, contrasting prior unsupportive experiences with the transformative impact of dedicated employment specialists. Michael openly discusses the transitional journey from working at a sheltered workshop to thriving in a dynamic work environment, training to become a manager. As Michael approaches the completion of his studies, he aims to acquire a bachelor’s degree and eventually open his restaurant, demonstrating determination fueled by supportive resources.

Key Takeaways:

• Employment specialists play a vital role in aiding individuals with disabilities to secure and maintain fulfilling jobs.
• Finding the "right" employment specialist can be crucial to workplace success and personal growth.
• Experience in the fast-paced environment of Taco Bell has equipped Michael with skills and confidence for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.
• Education and patience have been key to Michael's journey towards managerial roles and the dream of owning a restaurant.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Having the right employment specialist can help you succeed in your job. Not just any employment specialist, but the right one." - Michael Alcorn
2. "The two employment specialists that I had understood me, knew that I needed the experience to help open my own restaurant." - Michael Alcorn

Tune in to this episode to gain an understanding of the intricacies of support systems that empower individuals with disabilities to achieve their career goals. Stay connected with DSP Talk for more inspiring stories and insights.

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Latima Anderson Mason is an inspiring advocate and a dedicated mother to her daughter who has a disability. As her daughter transitions into adulthood, Latima has taken an active role in navigating the complexities of aging out of support services and exploring guardianship options. Her personal experiences have fueled her passion for advocacy, guiding other families through similar challenges with empathy and insight. Latima is currently engaging in workshops and legal processes to ensure her daughter's rights and independence are upheld as she enters this new life stage.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise engages in a poignant conversation with Latima Anderson Mason, a devoted mother and advocate for her daughter with disabilities. As Anika approaches adulthood, Latima shares the intricacies of the aging-out process, especially focusing on the transition from high school to adult services at the age of 21. By sharing her story, Latima helps to shed light on the critical path of securing guardianship while balancing her daughter’s rights and independence—offering listeners a glimpse into the challenges and victories experienced by families navigating a similar journey.

Latima Anderson Mason provides insight into the emotional and practical challenges of securing guardianship for her daughter, Anika, who is aging out of services. The discussion highlights essential topics such as the significance of understanding legal processes and maintaining the child's voice in critical decisions. Key resources such as AHRC New York workshops are mentioned, offering needed support to families. The episode concludes with Latima's personal hopes for a future where individuals with disabilities are seen and heard beyond their limitations. This episode is a must-listen for families and advocates in the disability community, providing relatable and beneficial guidance.

Key Takeaways:

• Aging Out Process: Children with disabilities are entitled to services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) until they turn 21 (in NY, other States it can be up to 22).
• Guardianship: is a court process that allows a parent or caregiver to make legal, medical, or financial decisions for an adult child who is unable to make such decisions independently. (Source Planning for Children with Disabilities Aging Out of the School System - , May 01, 2025)
• Effective Communication: Continuously explaining processes and decisions to a child with disabilities helps in understanding and decision-making.
• Alternatives to Guardianship: Supported decision-making (SDM) is a practice by which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are able to make their own decisions with the support of trusted persons in their lives and retain all their legal and civil rights. (Source: What is Supported Decision-Making? – SDMNY)

Resources:

• AHRC New York: Guardianship Services
• OPWDD Transition Services Recorded Webinar May 9, 2024

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Michelle Chu is a seasoned program and community builder with over a decade of dedication towards fostering inclusion and connecting people to essential resources. Currently, she works in the Community Connections department at Job Path, where her efforts are directed towards supporting adults with autism and other disabilities. Michelle plays an integral role in the Guac Committee, which stands for Growth, Unity, Accessibility, and Community, working tirelessly to create an inclusive workplace at Job Path. With a unique background in improvisational theater and extensive experience in tech and design operations, Michelle brings innovative approaches to her social work, making people feel understood and encouraging community growth.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise speaks with Michelle Chu, an extraordinary program builder dedicated to supporting adults with autism and other disabilities at Job Path. Michelle delves into her role as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and shares her unique perspective, incorporating her background in improvisational theater into her social work. The conversation explores Michelle’s innovative approaches to community building and the impact of fostering inclusivity in workplaces, setting the tone for a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges and rewards of being a DSP.

Michelle insights reveal the emotional depth and commitment required in the DSP role, describing it as more than just a job, but a vocation filled with meaningful connections and personal growth. The episode uncovers both the rewarding experiences and the challenges faced by DSPs, highlighting Michelle's creative solutions, such as adapting games like Uno to assist participants in expressing their emotions. Throughout the podcast, valuable keywords such as "fostering inclusion," "creative expression," "emotional connection," and "community growth" echo the essence of Michelle's impactful work. Her ability to transform daily interactions into profound experiences underpins the core theme of the episode, focusing strongly on empowerment and self-direction within the communities she supports.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) is about empowering people to achieve personal goals.
• Michelle Chu leverages her improvisational theater background to create innovative solutions that facilitate emotional expression for those with disabilities.
• Building strong support systems and maintaining open communication with team members and families are vital for successfully overcoming challenges in the DSP role.
• Recognizing and celebrating small wins can significantly affirm the importance and impact of a DSP's work, offering deep professional satisfaction.
• Emotional resilience, combined with creativity, can transform everyday interactions into meaningful growth opportunities for individuals and communities.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I think for me, definitely one of the most rewarding, because who would have thought that you could take a deck of Uno and turn it into, like, a vehicle for helping somebody better communicate how they feel emotionally?"
2. "I really think that the participants we serve are capable of so much more than they're given credit for."
3. "Sometimes it's just like a gentle nudge to do something that we don't know is a possibility that makes it happen."
4. "At the end of the day, what I most care about is making sure my team felt supported."
5. "I think the heart of being a DSP is really empowering them to feel like they can do it."

Resources:

• JobPath : Home - Job Path NYC

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