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

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron speaks with Kayla Coburn, an inclusion specialist and author, about the challenges of fostering inclusion in schools. Kayla shares her journey from paraprofessional to running her own business, “Inclusion Starts Now.” They discuss personal experiences with navigating educational systems, advocating for inclusion, and the importance of defini...

On this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, AAron welcomes Joe Carr, who discusses his journey with cerebral palsy and the use of an AAC device. Joe shares his experiences of inclusion in school, adaptive sports, and his charitable efforts through his lemonade stand, raising over $70,000 for Gillette Children’s Hospital. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, self-acceptance, and building genu...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, AAron speaks with Dr. Cheryl Blankman, an experienced school psychologist and advocate for inclusivity in education. They discuss the nuances of inclusion, emphasizing the importance of shifting the conversation from "inclusion" to "inclusivity" as a holistic, community-wide responsibility. Dr. Blankman highlights the significance of understanding disa...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , AAron addresses the issue of parents being denied access to visit their child in special education classrooms. He discusses the common reasons given—privacy and safety—and explains why these justifications may not always be valid, particularly with regard to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). AAron emphasizes the importance of parental...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, AAron interviews Stephanie Polcyn, a mother and advocate with a personal connection to disability. Stephanie shares her journey, highlighting her husband’s military-related disability, her own sudden hearing loss, and her experiences advocating for her children with ADHD and asthma. She discusses the challenges of navigating the education system, the i...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Sarah St. Louis, a certified ADA coordinator. They discuss Sarah’s work in advocating for more inclusive public spaces, including her involvement in Changing Spaces Minnesota, which advocates for adult-sized changing tables in public restrooms. Sarah shares her personal journey into the world of disability advocacy following her s...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast , AAron discusses the challenges and frustrations of encountering and addressing The Americans With Disability Act (ADA) violations in everyday life, particularly as a parent of a daughter who uses a wheelchair. He shares personal experiences, such as inaccessible sidewalks and schools, emphasizing the ongoing need for awareness and advocacy. Despite th...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Anthony Cutno, a retired Marine and single father of three, including a daughter with a disability. Anthony shares his journey of learning about disabilities through his daughter and how it has shaped his perspective as a parent. He discusses the importance of inclusion, the challenges and rewards of raising a child with a disabil...

In this episode of the Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Michael Humel, a disability advocate with spina bifida. Michael shares his experiences growing up with a disability, including the challenges of using a wheelchair in an often inaccessible world. He discusses the importance of inclusion, the difficulties faced in everyday situations like parking and using public restrooms, and the...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes Becca Boston, an inspirational speaker and mental health advocate. Becca shares her journey of growing up with dyslexia and auditory processing disorder, overcoming a domestic violence relationship, and finding her voice as an advocate for inclusion. They discuss the importance of empathy, active listening, and self-care, especially...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Nick Yerhart, a resilient individual with cerebral palsy who defies expectations. Nick shares his journey of overcoming physical limitations, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and empathy. He discusses how he navigates daily life, the challenges of accessibility, and the impact of his supportive parents. Nick’s story highlig...

On this episode I interview Tim Villegas of Think Inclusive!!

-Conference Recap -My Inclusion Story

Initial thoughts after IEP meeting.