Assembling Edu

In this episode, we are joined by Kelly Steinke, the president of READ Learning and Silver Moon Spelling. Kelly is a passionate advocate for literacy education, and she has dedicated her career to helping children with dyslexia succeed. In this episode, we discuss the inspiration behind Kelly’s work, her curriculum for research-based literacy instruction, and how to support dyslexic students in the classroom when providing reading instruction. We also learned about READ Learning and Silver Moon Spelling, two organizations that Kelly has founded to provide resources and support for children with dyslexia, their families, and their teachers. (Episode Transcript)

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In this episode, we spoke to Carol Sudhalter and Mimi Block about the Louis Armstrong Legacy Monthly Jazz Jams held at Flushing Town Hall each month. Carol is the jazz house band leader for the jam sessions and Mimi is a frequent performer and an accomplished violinist. In our conversations, both guests share their experiences with music and the impact their participation in the jazz jam sessions has had in their lives. We also discuss the inclusivity of these specific sessions, and how they are open to all performers and create an open, accepting, and encouraging environment. Finally, we discuss the significance of disability inclusion within jazz and performing arts.

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In this episode, we interview Dr. Sally Izquierdo and Kartika Kumari about their work creating the Neurodiversity Hub at Queens College. The hub provides access to quality resources about neurodiversity and how to support students in the classroom, specifically within higher education. These artifacts can help professors and staff create more welcoming and accessible learning environments. During our conversation, we discuss the process for creating the hub and selecting quality, informative resources. We also talked about the impact that the hub has had on faculty members, neurodivergent students, and their peers. Finally, we discuss the future plans and goals to continue to expand the hub, as well as the importance of supporting neurodiversity within higher education.

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In this episode, we interviewed Dr. Kate Siekman about Islands of Brilliance, an organization dedicated to creating learning experiences that support and empower neurodivergent learners. By pairing arts, design, and STEAM content with individual SpIns, different levels of program options, and mentorship, Islands of Brilliance has created a space where children and young adults on the autism spectrum can thrive. We discussed the start of Islands of Brilliance, the different options for programming, and how the organization has created these welcoming, engaging, and supportive learning experiences.

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Billions of people around the world use assistive technology, but the wide variety of different AT devices, equipment, and products can be overwhelming both for people recommending and adopting technology. Eazilee is a platform and community centered on finding the right assistive technology. We talked to Rebecca Scott about how overwhelming AT decisions can be and how their website acts as a database of user reviews and recommendations that can help people find the right technology for them. This platform offers an intersection between AT users, health professionals, and AT companies and start-ups and provides a global community of support. (Episode Transcript)

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Introduction and conclusion music: "⁠You Can Do More" by lemonmusicstudio⁠

In this episode, we interview Rich Padulo, founder of Treat Accessibly, an organization dedicated to making Halloween more inclusive. We talk about the story of how Rich and his family were inspired to start Treat Accessibly, We also discuss strategies people can follow to ensure they are creating an inclusive trick-or-treating experience for everyone in their community. Rich also shares how the movement has grown, from signs on houses to increasing disability awareness, to creating full-scale Halloween Villages on streets. (Episode Transcript)

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Introduction and conclusion music: "⁠You Can Do More" by lemonmusicstudio⁠

In this episode, we interviewed Mariella Satow about SignUp, a free Chrome extension that provides an overlay with sign language interpretation for popular Netflix and Disney + movie content. We discuss the inspiration behind starting this extension, how interpreters are hired, the process of selecting and interpreting a movie, and future plans for expansion. SignUp is being used by members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, in schools, for family movie nights, and for people learning sign language or training to become an interpreter. (Episode Transcript)

In this episode, we talk about the barriers facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Because of financial barriers, transportation barriers, and other issues facing these patients, the New York State Academic Dental Centers created a fellowship to support the pathway of dentists into specialized care for patients with disabilities. We talked to Jonathan Teyan and Dr. Tung Nguyen about their work within the fellowship and how this type of initiaitve is impacting accessibility and disability inclusion within dental care. (Episode Transcript)

In this episode, we talked to Michelle Ridsdale from Kaboose, an app that provides a safe space for the autistic and neurodiverse community to make friends with common interests. We also talked about future developments of the app, including job matching, mentorship, and tips. (Episode Transcript)