Ryan Honick is an award-winning disability advocate, professional persuader, and prominent speaker. Over the years, he has forged significant pathways in advocacy on Capitol Hill, within federal government parameters, nonprofit organizations, and expansive PR firms. Honick is recognized for his influential work in publicizing the challenges faced by individuals using rideshare apps with service dogs, which led to a noteworthy lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice. Currently matched with his second service dog, Lovey, Honick remains an indefatigable voice in the arena of disability rights, leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to share his narrative and insights.

In this invigorating episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas is joined by remarkable disability advocate Ryan Honick. The spotlight is on Ryan's relentless decade-long fight against rideshare app discrimination towards service dog users, culminating in a Department of Justice lawsuit. Villegas delves into the parallels between Honick's personal advocacy experiences and the indispensable fight for inclusive practices within educational settings, resonating deeply with educators and families nationwide.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/fighting-to-stop-fighting-what-keeps-advocates-like-ryan-honick-going-1333/

Patrick Mulick is a board-certified behavior analyst, a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell team. Serving as the Director of Student Engagement at the Auburn School District in Washington State, Patrick holds degrees in Special Education and Behavior Analysis from Gonzaga University. He has years of experience teaching students with disabilities, particularly those with autism and complex behavioral needs, and is now a nationally recognized speaker who shares practical tools and strategies for educators.

In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas sits down with Patrick Mulick, a behavior analyst and Director of Student Engagement at Auburn School District, to discuss reducing the use of restraint and eliminating isolation in schools. Patrick recounts how the pandemic provided a turning point for schools to rethink their approach to handling students with complex behavioral needs. By implementing proactive strategies, shifting focus from restraint to personalized support, and using data-driven approaches, Patrick has successfully led his district to significantly reduce incidents of isolation and restraint.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/patrick-mulick-why-bad-choice-is-the-wrong-language-for-schools-1332/

Join us on this insightful episode of MCIE's "Think Inclusive" podcast, as Tim Villegas delves into the Terps Exceed program at the University of Maryland. Explore the innovative two-year initiative that integrates students with intellectual disabilities into university life, providing them with education, employment, and social opportunities typically seen in post-secondary education settings. With compelling narratives from students, peer mentors, and coordinators, this episode highlights the vital role of inclusive post-secondary education in evolving societal perspectives.

The Terps Exceed program at UMD exemplifies how creating inclusive college environments benefits all students. As part of a four-part series in collaboration with Think College, this episode uncovers how peer mentors contribute to a transformative college experience for students with intellectual disabilities. Key figures, such as Betsy Tornquist and Amy D'Agati, share the program's journey and its broader implications, setting an inspiring precedent for other institutions.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/terpsexceed-making-college-possible-for-all-1330/

This episode was made possible with generous support from Think College. Learn more at thinkcollege.net.

About the Guest(s):

Michelle Garcia Winner is a renowned speech-language pathologist and the founder of Social Thinking. With over 30 years of experience, she has developed a methodology that seeks to aid teachers, therapists, and families in supporting social and organizational learning. Her work focuses on helping individuals, especially those on the autism spectrum, understand and enhance their social thinking skills.

In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas sits down with Michelle Garcia Winner, the mind behind the Social Thinking methodology. With a rich conversation centered around the invisible social rulebook, they discuss how educators and therapists can move beyond teaching social skills as mere behaviors. Michelle unfolds her insights into interpreting social situations, self-advocacy, and flexible thinking, breaking down the complexities into teachable and actionable strategies.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/rethinking-social-skills-teaching-social-thinking-for-all-learners-with-michelle-garcia-winner-1330/

Sandra McElwee is a prominent advocate for inclusive education and disabilities rights, known for her role as Sean's mom from the Emmy-winning reality TV series, "Born This Way." With over three decades of experience advocating for individuals with disabilities, Sandra has been a pillar of support and change within the inclusive education community. She is an author, public speaker, and independent facilitator writing Person-Centered Plans in California.

In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in a compelling conversation with Sandra McElwee, a pioneering advocate for inclusive education. As the mother of Sean, famously known from the TV show "Born This Way," Sandra shares her journey of challenging educational norms to ensure her son had an inclusive education from the 1990s onwards. This episode explores the transformative power of inclusion in schools and the uphill battle families often face within the educational system.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/advocating-for-full-inclusion-every-student-deserves-belonging-with-sandra-mcelwee-1329/

Michele Gardner is the interim CEO at All In for Inclusive Education, an organization dedicated to fostering inclusive practices in educational institutions. With over 25 years of experience in the New Jersey public school system, Michelle has held various roles such as special education teacher, paraprofessional, assistant principal, and director of special services. Additionally, she has been an adjunct instructor at the College of New Jersey, teaching future educators, and earning acclaim for her leadership in inclusive education. Her efforts focus on supporting systemic change through coaching, consultation, and professional development for educators and administrators.

In this insightful episode of "Think Inclusive," Tim Villegas hosts Michele Gardner, interim CEO of All In for Inclusive Education, to discuss the intricacies of systemic change towards inclusive education. Tim and Michelle delve into how schools and districts can transform inclusive education from a mere belief to a practice embraced in every classroom. They explore core themes of systems change, capacity building, and mindset shift in educational environments, spotlighting the journey from exclusionary practices to inclusive excellence.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/building-inclusive-schools-from-belief-to-practice-with-michelle-gardner-1328/

Dom Kelly is the co-founder, president, and CEO of New Disabled South and New Disabled South Rising. A lifelong disability advocate, Dom has made his mark in nonprofit leadership and as a systems thinker who combines lived experience with movement building. Apart from his advocacy work, Dom is an accomplished musician, having toured extensively and shared the stage with renowned artists such as the Indigo Girls and Joan Baez. Amassing an impressive array of fellowships and awards, Dom is also an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity and a recipient of the JM Kaplan Funds Innovation Prize. He resides in Atlanta with his family.

In this powerful episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in a significant dialogue with Dom Kelly, steering deeply into the realm of disability justice in schools. The conversation navigates the intertwining facets of inclusion, justice, belonging, and how these play out within educational settings. Dom Kelly, drawing from his multifaceted experiences as a disability advocate and co-founder of New Disabled South, speaks on evolving beyond mere compliance to fostering inclusive environments that value the voices and needs of disabled students, especially at the intersection of race and disability.

Complete transcript and show notes: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/centering-disabled-students-voices-for-true-inclusion-and-justice-with-dom-kelly-1327/

Megan Ohlssen is a visionary leader advocating for identity, equity, and belonging within educational spaces. She works dynamically with schools, organizations, and system leaders across the United States to spotlight disability justice and foster meaningful, sustainable change. Her extensive background includes coaching, systems evaluation, and program design, helping teams navigate difficult dialogues and transform intentions into actionable outcomes. Drawing from her personal journey and multifaceted identity, Megan emphasizes the importance of belonging and inclusion for both students and educators.

In this compelling episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas converses with Megan Ohlssen, an advocate for disability justice and educational equity, about creating schools where every learner belongs. The discussion unpacks what real belonging means in educational environments and emphasizes the intricate relationship between identity and learning. Megan shares personal insights from her diverse background and sheds light on how holding inclusive spaces for adults—through belonging activities—can significantly alter conversations around inclusion.

The episode delves into how ableism subtly permeates educational practices, especially via language and assumptions about rigor. Tim and Megan explore ways educators can responsibly confront these systemic issues using frameworks like Universal Design for Learning (UDL) without feeling overwhelmed. Megan presents practical steps for educators and system leaders to instigate inclusive practices, urging a deep reflection on one’s role in perpetuating systemic inequalities. In her candid dialogue, Megan provides a refreshing yet profound perspective on how schools can evolve into inclusive environments, ultimately making systemic change actionable and tangible.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/beyond-welcome-what-real-belonging-looks-like-in-schools-with-megan-ohlssen-1326/

Dustin Giannelli is the CEO and founder of Hears Dustin, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations create more inclusive and accessible workplaces. Profoundly deaf since childhood, Dustin navigates the world through lip reading, captions, and a strong sense of self-advocacy. His professional journey is marked by a commitment to enhancing communication, inclusion, accessibility, and workplace culture. Giannelli is a nationally recognized keynote speaker known for his authentic storytelling and leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion spaces.

In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in a meaningful conversation with Dustin Giannelli, a prominent advocate for inclusion and accessibility, and the founder of Hears Dustin. Dustin, who is profoundly deaf, shares his life journey, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy, the motto of being "on offense," and how inclusion is a continuous journey rather than a destination. This episode sheds light on the nuances of communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and emphasizes the significance of making small adjustments to daily practices, which can foster inclusivity and participant engagement in various settings, including schools.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/be-on-offense-navigating-inclusion-and-accessibility-with-dustin-giannelli-1325/

Andratesha Fritzgerald is an accomplished author, international speaker, and experienced educator who concentrates her work on dignity, humanity, and inclusive learning design. She is known for her leadership in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and her focus on anti-racism in educational settings. Andratesha is the author of “Anti-Racism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success” and is the co-founder of Building Blocks of Brilliance Educational Consulting. She collaborates with schools and organizations across the United States to dismantle barriers and create learning environments where all students can thrive.

In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in an enlightening conversation with Andratesha Fritzgerald about cultivating inclusion within schools and communities. Andratesha shares her insights on how educators can maintain hope and purpose amidst the challenges of pursuing equity, citing the pressing need to blend humanity and systemic changes into educational practices. Reflecting on her own work, she explains the benefits of involving diverse voices in crafting inclusive educational policies and emphasizes the significance of storytelling in building understanding and connection among students and educators.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/building-inclusive-schools-through-community-and-universal-design-with-andratesha-fritzgerald-1324/