Think Inclusive

Arthur Aston, host of the Inclusion Think Tank podcast by the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE), shares his personal story and discusses the importance of inclusive education. He emphasizes the need for students with disabilities to be included in the conversation and highlights the impact of sharing personal experiences. Arthur encourages educators to start somewhere and stay dedicated to the process, as inclusive education takes time. He also mentions the value of hearing from students themselves and the impact of supportive teachers and school nurses.

Heather Avis, author and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome, emphasizes the importance of intentional inclusion and the need for a shift in the narrative around disability. She shares personal experiences as a parent and highlights the power of storytelling to change perceptions and create spaces of belonging. Heather also addresses the challenges of advocating for inclusion and the ongoing work needed to dismantle ableism.

Lori Miranda, from Palm Beach County School District, discusses their move towards inclusive placements for students with disabilities. The video was created to showcase their collaboration between the school district, Head Start, and community partners. The goal is to keep children with disabilities in their natural environments and provide support through inclusive practices. They have faced challenges such as funding and teacher buy-in, but have seen positive outcomes with students transitioning to general education kindergarten. The program has grown and they are now able to provide evaluations and services directly at community centers. The key takeaway is to prioritize the needs of children and families and ensure representation and diversity within the team.

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. […]