Inclusion and Disability Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron speaks with educational therapist Dr. Bibi Pirayesh about the intersection of learning disabilities and social justice. They discuss the barriers within education systems, the need for systemic change, and the importance of advocacy. Dr. Pirayesh shares insights on the role of educational therapy, the challenges of inclusion, and practical s...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Marjorie Turner Hollman, a disability advocate and author of the Easy Walks book series. Marjorie shares her journey from professional storyteller to outdoor accessibility champion after a life-changing brain surgery left her partially paralyzed. She discusses the importance of detailed trail accessibility information, the need for...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Kevin McShan, a journalist and disability advocate, to discuss inclusion, employment challenges, and accessibility. Kevin shares his journey of overcoming barriers in the workforce and how businesses can benefit from hiring people with disabilities. They explore the importance of transition planning, entrepreneurship, and advocacy f...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron welcomes accessibility consultant Angela Fowler to discuss the critical role of accessibility in true inclusion. Angela shares her personal experiences as a blind professional and emphasizes why accessibility should be seen as a business advantage rather than just a compliance requirement. They explore digital barriers, common mistakes busi...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron welcomes Doug Katz, a veteran, entrepreneur, and innovator in adaptive product design. Doug shares his journey from military service to creating the Nulu, an adaptive kitchen knife designed for people with disabilities and those experiencing age-related challenges. He discusses the importance of inclusive design, the "ability curve" model,...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron welcomes author, speaker, and disability advocate Sara Freeman Smith. Sara shares her journey of vision loss and how it reshaped her career in HR and recruiting. She discusses overcoming biases in the workplace, advocating for inclusive hiring, and using technology to break accessibility barriers. Sara emphasizes the power of self-belief, t...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron welcomes early childhood specialist DJ Stutz to discuss practical ways to foster inclusion. DJ shares her extensive experience teaching and raising children with diverse needs, emphasizing the importance of recognizing each child's "zone of genius." They explore how early exposure to diversity shapes attitudes, strategies for raising confid...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron welcomes Michaell Magrutsche, an advocate for human-centric perspectives. They discuss the natural state of inclusion, the flaws in systemic labeling, and the need to rethink education and support systems. Michaell shares his personal experiences with dyslexia and neurodiversity, emphasizing that every human is uniquely designed by nature....

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes writer and advocate Nancy Burrows to discuss her journey as a mother raising a son with autism. Nancy shares her experiences navigating inclusion in education, employment, and community life, offering insights on overcoming challenges and fostering acceptance. She reflects on her son's strengths, struggles, and transition to a r...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron welcomes Curtis Butler, a career coach and father of a daughter with significant disabilities. They discuss redefining inclusion, adaptive sports, and the lifelong journey of advocating for access and opportunity. Curtis shares personal insights on resilience, presuming competence, and the transformation that comes with raising a child with...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron welcomes guests Aimée and her daughter, Lila, to discuss their advocacy journey within the school system. Lila, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, shares her fight to attend a more accessible high school alongside her established support system. They dive into the barriers of special education policies, the power of self-advocacy...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Karla Hildebrand to share her daughter Maddie’s fight for accessibility in school. Maddie, a talented musician with a mitochondrial disorder and autism, has been denied equitable participation in her junior high band program due to inaccessible facilities and systemic neglect. Karla recounts their struggles, advocacy efforts, and th...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron speaks with school principal and special education advocate Leroy Slanzi about creating truly inclusive school environments. They discuss the importance of centralizing student services, fostering empathy, and ensuring students with disabilities are meaningfully included. Leroy shares insights from his books on leadership, mental health, and...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Amanda Trisdale, an autism advocate and co-founder of Autistic Wings Dance Company. Amanda shares her journey of raising her autistic daughter, Leta, who excelled in dance but faced barriers in traditional studios. Frustrated by exclusion, Leta inspired her parents to create an autism-centered dance studio. Amanda discusses the impo...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron speaks with Delphia Howze, an author and inclusion expert with over 25 years of experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Delphia shares her journey into DEIA work, emphasizing the importance of true inclusion beyond surface-level representation. She discusses common misconceptions, the need for shared definition...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron speaks with author Michaela Cox, who shares her journey through disability, loss, and resilience. Michaela discusses navigating life as legally blind, her experiences with inclusion and advocacy, and how she has channeled her challenges into writing over 15 books. She offers practical advice on self-care, the power of mindset, and the impor...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Kenneth Kunken, the first quadriplegic to graduate from Cornell University. Kenneth shares his journey of navigating life after a spinal cord injury sustained during college, the evolution of accessibility before and after the ADA, and his career as an attorney and rehabilitation counselor. He emphasizes the importance of high exp...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Maxwell Ivey, also known as "The Blind Blogger." Maxwell shares his journey from growing up in a carnival-owning family to becoming a disability advocate and accessibility consultant. He highlights his experiences as a blind entrepreneur, discussing the challenges of digital accessibility and the importance of collaborat...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron speaks with Jeaneen Tang, a speech-language pathologist, advocate, and author of Play Dumb and Sabotage. They discuss Jeaneen’s journey in early intervention, navigating IEPs, and her personal experiences raising a child with disabilities. The conversation covers practical strategies for fostering language development, building inclusive com...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Katherine McCord, a national HR and inclusion consultant, to discuss practical strategies for creating inclusive spaces. Katherine shares her expertise on neurodiversity, universal design, and the importance of listening and adaptability. Drawing from her personal journey with disabilities and her professional experiences, Katherine...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Adele Bayless, a self-proclaimed social justice warrior and entrepreneur committed to fostering inclusivity and safety in property management. Adele discusses her journey in promoting equitable spaces, her advocacy for marginalized communities, and her efforts to include neurodiversity and other intersectional identities in conver...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes Rahz Slaughter, a motivational speaker and advocate for inclusion. Rahz shares his journey of growing up with a disability, overcoming societal challenges, and transforming obstacles into opportunities. He reflects on lessons from his grandmother, the importance of embracing uniqueness, and how to empower teenagers by fostering conf...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Heather and Papito, founders of Footprints of the Son, to discuss their work in Haiti with children with disabilities. They share personal stories about starting the nonprofit, addressing stigma in Haitian communities, and building an inclusive school that integrates students with and without disabilities. The conversation highlight...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , host AAron engages with Tonya Wollum, IEP coach and host of the Water Prairie Chronicles . Together, they discuss Tonya's personal experiences raising two college-aged children with disabilities, her evolving understanding of inclusion, and the challenges faced by families navigating educational systems. Tonya shares her journey as an advocate and off...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews award-winning journalist and author Kristof Morrow. Kristof discusses his experiences living with Tourette's Syndrome, navigating accessibility challenges with his girlfriend who has cerebral palsy, and his commitment to inclusion through his writing. Together, they reflect on the systemic barriers people with disabilities face, t...