Think Inclusive

Brad Cohen, an educator with Tourette's syndrome, discusses the misconceptions surrounding the condition and the challenges he faced in finding a job. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and support from educators, as well as the need to focus on a student's strengths rather than their weaknesses. Brad shares his personal experiences and encourages families to be open and honest about their child's disability, while also advocating for self-acceptance and perseverance. He highlights the power of education in making a difference and inspiring others.

Valerie Williams, Director at OSEP, discusses the importance of inclusion in early childhood education. She shares a personal story about finding the right preschool for her son with Down syndrome and emphasizes the need for a mindset shift among educators. Valerie highlights the lack of knowledge and resources available to support inclusive practices and calls for better dissemination of information. She also mentions the promising initiatives happening in different states and encourages educators to be bold, brave, and urgent in their efforts to improve inclusive opportunities for all students.

Listen to this episode on YouTube. SENIA: Advocating for Inclusion in International S | RSS.com Show Notes About The Guest(s): Lori Boll is an inclusive education leader with a personal connection to individuals with disabilities. Her son Braden was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and an intellectual developmental delay, inspiring her to advocate for all […]

Listen to the episode on YouTube. The Infinity Rainbow Club Series: Jen Malia discus | RSS.com Show Notes About The Guest(s): Jen Malia is a professor of English and a writer of children’s books. She started out publishing literary criticism before transitioning to creative writing. Her interest in neurodivergence and autism led her to write […]

Listen to this episode on YouTube. King of Hugs: Tim Harris on Inclusion and Spreadin | RSS.com Show Notes About The Guest(s): Tim Harris is a motivational speaker, author, and former restaurant owner. He gained national attention when he opened Tim’s Place, a restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, known for its friendly atmosphere and Tim’s […]

Listen to this episode on YouTube. Maya Chupkov: Advocating for Stuttering Awareness | RSS.com Show Notes About The Guest(s): Maya Chupkov (she/her) is the host of the podcast Proud Stutter and Media and Democracy Program Manager at California Common Cause. She advocates for people who stutter and works to raise awareness and build inclusive spaces through storytelling and […]

Watch this episode on YouTube. Judy Heumann’s Legacy and the Future of Disability | RSS.com Show Notes About The Guest(s): Episode Summary: In this episode, Torrie Dunlop hosts a panel discussion with Andy Arias, Diego Mariscal, and Emily Liddell to honor the legacy of Judy Heumann, a pioneer and advocate in the disability rights movement. […]

Listen to this episode on YouTube. Look Both Ways: Exploring Disability with Brooke E | RSS.com Show Notes About The Guest(s) Brooke Ellison — Disability rights advocate, author, and professor at Stony Brook University. Brooke became a ventilator-using quadriplegic at age 11 after being hit by a car, graduated from Harvard, and ran for the […]

Listen to this episode on YouTube. Understanding Bullying: A Personal Journey and Cal | RSS.com Show Notes About The Guest(s) Kayla Taylor — Writer, researcher, advocate, and parent; author of Canaries Among Us, she blends lived experience with research to help families understand learning differences, bullying, and anxiety and to push schools toward more caring, inclusive […]

Listen to this episode on YouTube. Creating a Culture of Honor in Education: An Inter | RSS.com Show Notes About The Guest(s) Andratesha Fritzgerald — Founder and lead consultant of Building Blocks of Brilliance; international speaker and author of Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success. Her work pushes schools to move from […]