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Jim, a white man with short dark brown hair and light stubble is sitting in a room, holding a microphone in front of a man's face. Jim is wearing a black blazer and black headphones to monitor audio. The man is white with short dark brown hair and dark colored glasses. He is wearing a buttoned flannel dress shirt with varying colors of blue, and a black t-shirt underneath.

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A Valid Podcast wins Press Club Golden Quill Award!

Updated June 30, 2022

The third season of All-Abilities Media and Unabridged Press’ A Valid Podcast won an Excellence in Audio Journalism award from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania. The series features people with intellectual disabilities sharing their joy and challenges in relationships. It explores how we support and where we fail to support adults with intellectual disabilities.

“In the past, we’ve institutionalized people with intellectual disabilities–keeping them sheltered and hidden,” says All-Abilities Media Project Manager Jennifer Szweda Jordan and Unabridged Press publisher. “We now have a more inclusive world. But this season of A Valid Podcast demonstrates that we have a lot of work to do in preparing people with intellectual disabilities to navigate relationships whether they’re in love, seeking it out, grieving for loved ones or just getting through the day.”

The podcast includes seven episodes and explores dating, marriage, the single life, and community. Each episode looks at where people with intellectual disabilities have advanced in society as well as where support is still needed.

“When somebody receives the right support in the right environment, amazing things can happen,” says Monica Ruiz, whose adult daughter, Adriana Quinones has an intellectual disability. The two are featured on the first episode.

The podcast is co-produced with the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. It’s available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and others. Images and transcripts appear on PublicSource.

A Valid Podcast cover art and some music were created by people with intellectual disabilities. Editorial commentary and advising was also provided by individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The Golden Quill Awards have recognized global excellence in strategic communication for more than four decades.