We are so excited to bring you this interview with Jordyn Zimmerman, a passionate educator and disability advocate who is currently the Head of Product Strategy at the Nora Project. Jordyn was diagnosed as autistic at a young age, but she did not receive access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)  until the age of 18. Her own lived experience  fuels her beliefs about leveraging tools and supports to drive change around inclusion for all learners.  Among her many accomplishments, Jordyn has twice been appointed to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and her work has been published in the Boston Globe and the New York Times. 

Note: You will hear some long pauses between the question and Jordyn’s answer because we’ve done our best to preserve the authenticity of Jordyn’s communication experience. 

(00:00) Introduction

(01:21) Question 1 Accessibility Story

(06:55) Question 1 Response

(07:52) Question 2 Empowering Factors

(18:18) Question 2 Response

(20:05) Question 3 Impact of Technology

(26:55) Question 3 Response

(27:44) Question 4 Accessible Educational Materials

(33:32) Question 4 Response

(34:12) Question 5 Advice to Educators

(41:33) Question 5 Response

(42:30) Question 6 Contact Information

(45:33) Question 6 Response

(46:26) Closing

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠aem.cast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts!

The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.