Think Inclusive

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Tany Holzworth is a content designer for inclusive classroom tools at Microsoft. With a background in education and a passion for inclusion, Tany has worked to create tools and programs that support diverse learners and promote accessibility.

In this bonus episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas talks with Tany Holzworth, Content Designer for Inclusive Classroom Tools at Microsoft. Tany shares her journey from working as a paraprofessional and building an inclusive volunteer program at Woodland Park Zoo to designing accessible tools for educators. The conversation explores practical strategies for fostering inclusion, lessons learned about mindset and accessibility, and highlights Microsoft tools like Immersive Reader and Reading Progress that support diverse learners.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/bonus-building-inclusive-classroom-tools-a-conversation-with-tany-holzworth/

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Carolyn is the CEO of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE). She previously served as the Associate Superintendent for Cecil County Public Schools and has extensive experience in promoting inclusive education.

Carol is one of the founders and former CEO of MCIE, having transitioned to Director of Special Projects in 2023. She has worked closely with school districts in Maryland and other states to promote systems change and school transformation.

In this episode of Think Inclusive, Tim interviews Carolyn and Carol as they discuss the organization's history and its partnership with school districts since 1990. They highlight the importance of leadership in sustaining inclusive education and share success stories of students who have thrived in inclusive classrooms. The guests also discuss the challenges and trends in the educational landscape, including the focus on equity and the need for universal design for learning. They emphasize the need for comprehensive professional learning and job-embedded coaching to support educators in implementing inclusive practices. The episode concludes with a discussion on how families and educators can advocate for inclusive education and the future plans of MCIE.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/carolyn-teigland-and-carol-quirk-mcie-partners-with-school-districts-to-promote-inclusion-and-equity/

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DJ Nicholson is an experienced educator and advocate for inclusive education. She has a background in special education and has worked with students with disabilities for many years. DJ is passionate about finding innovative ways to support learners with disabilities and believes that technology, including AI, can play a crucial role in creating inclusive learning environments.

In this episode, DJ Nicholson and Tim Villegas discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting learners with disabilities. They explore the potential benefits of AI in leveling text and making reading more accessible for students with different reading abilities. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities of using AI in the classroom, as well as the importance of individualized learning and student choice. The conversation highlights the need for educators to embrace AI as a tool to enhance learning experiences and promote independence for students with disabilities.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/bonus-using-ai-to-support-learners-with-disabilities-in-the-classroom/

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Luvy Jenkins is the Education Manager and Medical Outreach Manager at the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT). With a background in special education, Louie is passionate about promoting inclusion and providing resources and support to educators and families of children with Down syndrome.

Luvy Jenkins, Education Manager at the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT), discusses the importance of inclusion in education and the barriers that families face in achieving inclusive education for their children with Down syndrome. Luvy highlights the need for support and training for teachers, as well as the role of school administrators in promoting inclusion. She also shares her experience working at the RISE School, an inclusive preschool that values diversity and fosters social-emotional growth in all students.

Complete shows notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/luvy-jenkins-down-syndrome-association-of-central-texas-dsact/

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Oaklee Thiele is a young artist and disability advocate. She co-founded The My Dearest Friends Project with DisArt in March 2020 to create a public platform where disabled people could share their stories and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawrence Carter-Long is the Director of Communications for DisArt and has a background in disability advocacy. He joined the organization in 2022 and has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of The My Dearest Friends Project.

Oaklee and Lawrence discuss The My Dearest Friends Project and its connection to the Nothing Special campaign. The project was created to provide a platform for disabled people to share their stories and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hashtag #NothingSpecial was developed to challenge the idea that inclusive education is something special and should be the norm. The project aims to collect stories from disabled students and educators to create a curriculum that promotes inclusive education. Oaklee shares her personal experience of facing ableism and inaccessibility at her college, highlighting the need for change in educational institutions. Lawrence emphasizes the importance of listening to disabled people and involving them in the decision-making process to create truly inclusive environments.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/oaklee-thiele-and-lawrence-carter-long-the-my-dearest-friends-project/

Looking for conversations about inclusive education and what it looks like in the real world? We've got you covered.

Stay tuned to your feeds for new weekly episodes.

Season 11 is coming soon.

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Hi Friends. 

Tim here with another feed drop for you. This time it’s Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, hosted by Diana Pastora Carson. 

Some of you may remember we had Diana on Think Inclusive in February of 2022 to talk about her journey as an educator advocating for inclusive education and bringing her brother Joaquin home from living in an institution.  https://pod.link/583456652/episode/22dbbb5c42a79ab97d8405b316584854

Today, I want to share with you a recent episode Diana published with two siblings, Danny and Tara Whitty. Danny spells to communicate and Tara is his communication regulation partner.  

Danny uses his finger to point to letters on a letter board that Tara holds up for him. And Tara reads out the letters as he points. Danny also, at times, uses his own voice. 

If you aren’t familiar with this kind of communication, I’ll share some resources with you after Diana’s interview.  

Enjoy the conversation with Diana, Danny, and Tara. Catch you on the other side.  

Episode Show Notes + Transcript: https://www.gobeyondawareness.com/podcasts/beyond-awareness-disability-awareness-that-matters/episodes/2147942618

*** 

Thanks to Diana Pastora Carson for sharing her episode of Beyond Awareness with us. 

If you want more information about spelling to communicate, here are a few resources. 

It was mentioned in the episode, but check out the International Association for Spelling as Communication: https://i-asc.org/ 

Also, I interviewed Dr. Dana Johnson, a spelling-to-communicate practitioner, in an edition of the Weeklyish: https://weeklyish.substack.com/p/spelling-to-communicate

Final thing. If you get the chance to see the documentary Spellers, please do it. I recently saw it at a screening near Atlanta and it was phenomenal. There are still in-person events happening in July, so find out if it is showing in your neck of the woods at https://spellersthemovie.com/watch. 

Thanks for spending some time with us today, and we will be back next week with another episode of Think Inclusive. 

Have a great week, everyone and remember, Inclusion Always Works! 

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Beth Liesenfeld (she/her) — Occupational therapist and founder of The IEP Lab, where she equips parents with “insider” understanding of school processes and culture to make IEP teams more collaborative and child‑centered. She hosts The Parent IEP Lab podcast and offers online workshops and courses for families navigating special education.

Host Tim Villegas talks with Beth Liesenfeld about why IEP meetings often feel inequitable and exhausting—and how a clear vision statement can re‑center teams on inclusive, practical plans that actually support students. They unpack what makes collaboration work (and fail), including communication habits, paraprofessional training, and making specialized instruction happen in general education through real co‑planning time. Beth offers a step‑by‑step way to craft long‑ and short‑term vision statements, plus tips educators can use to advocate for inclusion—even when families or districts are hesitant.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/beth-liesenfeld-the-parent-iep-lab/

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Raul Krauthausen is a renowned disability rights activist, social entrepreneur, and founder of the nonprofit organization Sozialhelden (Social Heroes) in Germany. For more than 15 years, Raul has worked to advance accessibility and inclusion through innovative projects and advocacy. He is best known for creating Wheelmap, a crowdsourced online map that identifies wheelchair-accessible places worldwide, and for his campaigns challenging discriminatory laws and practices in Germany.

Raul is also a prolific communicator—blogger, podcaster, and author—who uses media to shift perceptions about disability. His work spans technology, design thinking, and social change, with a focus on ensuring that inclusion is recognized as a fundamental right, not a privilege. Through initiatives like Broken Lifts (real-time elevator status for public transport) and media guidelines for journalists, Raul continues to push for systemic change and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

In this episode, Tim Villegas talks with Raul Krauthausen, a German disability rights activist, founder of Sozialhelden (Social Heroes), and creator of Wheelmap, a crowdsourced map for accessible places. Raul shares his journey from attending one of Berlin’s first inclusive schools to becoming a leading advocate for accessibility and inclusion in Germany. The conversation explores cultural differences between the U.S. and Germany regarding inclusion, the role of acceptance, and why inclusion is not “happy land” but a continuous process of learning and equity.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/raul-krauthausen-inclusion-in-germany/

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Susan Stone — Attorney and co-leader of the Student & Athlete Defense Group at KJK in Cleveland. Susan has over 30 years of experience advocating for students, with a focus on special education law and student discipline. She’s also a nationally published author and co-host of Real Talk with Susan and Kristina.

Kristina Supler — Attorney and co-leader of the Student & Athlete Defense Group at KJK. Kristina represents students in academic misconduct and Title IX cases nationwide. She’s passionate about protecting student rights and co-hosts Real Talk with Susan and Kristina.

In this episode, Susan Stone and Kristina Supler share what it’s like to advocate for students with disabilities navigating academic and disciplinary challenges. From IEPs and 504 plans to Title IX cases and college misconduct proceedings, they explain why inclusion requires more than good intentions—it demands real systems of support. They also discuss how their podcast tackles tough parenting and student issues.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/susan-stone-and-kristina-supler-real-talk/