Ohio DD Talks

Ohio DD Talks
Podcast Description
The mission of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life. The DD Council consists of members, most who are people with disabilities, appointed by the governor. Our videos highlight our Council members and the work of DD Council and its grantees. We also strive to bring attention to both the challenges and successes experienced by people with disabilities. Be sure to visit our website at http://www.ddc.ohio.gov.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers a variety of topics including supported decision-making, community advocacy for accessible facilities, inclusive sports, and healthcare innovations for individuals with disabilities. For example, episodes feature discussions on universal changing tables that enhance restroom access, storytelling workshops promoting individual narratives, and telehealth solutions for medical care tailored to the IDD community.

The mission of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life. The DD Council consists of members, most who are people with disabilities, appointed by the governor. Our videos highlight our Council members and the work of DD Council and its grantees. We also strive to bring attention to both the challenges and successes experienced by people with disabilities. Be sure to visit our website at http://www.ddc.ohio.gov.
Getting quality healthcare that actually meets your needs can be a real challenge—especially for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In this Part 2 episode, we follow up on our 2024 interview with StationMD by bringing you the latest updates from their team.
Dr. Deven Unadkat, President and Chief Medical Officer, joins host Shari Cooper to share how StationMD has expanded its services to include mental health support, psychological testing, and on-call nurse coverage. You'll hear how this telehealth model is transforming care access and outcomes for people with IDD—while also saving money and reducing stress for families, providers, and public programs.
Host:
Shari Cooper, Ohio Developmental Disability Council Ambassador
Guest:
Dr. Deven Unadkat, President and Chief Medical Officer, StationMD
Key Topics
What Is StationMD?
A 24/7 telehealth platform built specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Origin Story
How repeated ER visits inspired an emergency physician to co-found a more responsive, disability-centered model of care.
New Services
Expansion into telepsychiatry, psychological testing, and on-call nursing to better support individuals, families, and direct support professionals.
Ohio Medicaid Waiver Access
StationMD is now a covered service under the Ohio Medicaid waiver, making it easier than ever to access these supports at no out-of-pocket cost.
Systemic Barriers
Why most medical schools still don’t adequately prepare doctors to treat people with disabilities—and how that’s starting to shift.
Cultural Change in Healthcare
How disability-specific telehealth is building empathy and changing how hospitals treat patients with IDD.
Why This Matters
Access to healthcare shouldn't depend on your ability to navigate complicated systems. StationMD is removing barriers, reducing unnecessary ER visits, and helping people with IDD get care that respects their time, rights, and dignity.
Resources & Links
- Learn more about StationMD
- Contact StationMD
- Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
- Submit your story for the podcast
Do you have a story to share? The Ohio DD Council is always looking for individuals to feature on DD Talks. Submit your story!
Thanks for listening—don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode!

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.