About the Guest(s):

Brilly Semenova: Brilly is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities, having started her advocacy journey during her middle school years. She is based in Maryland but operates nationally, providing resources and support to families and individuals. Her focus covers education, employment, social skills, and legal guidance for navigating benefits for people with disabilities.

Nisha Batra: Nisha is a dedicated Early Childhood Educator and passionate disability advocate. She was recently honored with the King Charles III Award in recognition of her impactful advocacy work. Nisha firmly believes that normalizing differences empowers individuals and fosters a more inclusive and equitable society.

Episode Summary:

In this enlightening episode of Think Inclusive by Tim Villegas, inclusion advocates Brilly Semenova and Nisha Batra share their profound insights and personal journeys in promoting inclusive practices for individuals with disabilities. Brilli recounts her experiences from initiating mentorship programs in middle school to providing comprehensive resources for families navigating educational and legal systems. Her story emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in fostering supportive environments for individuals with different abilities.

Nisha Batra brings a unique perspective with her background in early childhood education and her personal experience with a learning disability. She discusses the critical importance of celebrating diversity within educational settings and normalizing differences among students. By sharing her journey and professional insights, Nisha highlights the potential transformation inclusion can bring about in educational settings, fostering an environment where every student feels supported and valued.

Complete show notes + transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/empowering-inclusion-advocates-share-stories-and-strategies/

Key Takeaways:

-Brilly Semenova illustrates the need for mentorship and guidance programs for young individuals with disabilities to promote self-advocacy and inclusive environments.

-Nisha Batra emphasizes the significance of acknowledging and celebrating diversity in classrooms, advocating for normalization of differences among students.

-Both advocates highlight the necessity for educational and societal systems to be readily inclusive, moving towards environments that support diverse learners without needing them to 'be ready' first.

-The conversation underscores the challenges and opportunities found within advocacy, highlighting the transformative power inclusion holds at both individual and systemic levels.

-Practical examples of advocacy efforts and successful inclusion practices are discussed, showcasing real-world applications.

Resources:

Helpipedia: https://helpipedia.org/

Nisha's Instagram: @TheSwanTransformation: https://www.instagram.com/theswantransformation/

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL: ixl.com/inclusive

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