Assembling Inclusion

In this episode, we interview Emily Thomas, a technology integration analyst from Northeast Metro Intermediate School District 916 about her work in her school district with making inclusive makerspaces. She emphasizes creating differentiated instructional materials that cater to various learning needs, from simple step-by-step instructions with images to advanced challenges. Each

In this episode, we talk to Katy Schmid, Senior Director of National Program Initiatives at The Arc. The Arc is one of the oldest and largest nonprofits for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This episode focuses on its partnership with Amazon to distribute 5,000 free devices to individuals with disabilities. These devices aimed to increase independence, comm

In this episode, we interview Peggy Stern, the founder and CEO of SuperDville, a social-emotional learning curriculum for students ages 7 to 13 with learning differences. The curriculum is aligned with the CASEL framework and the foundations of science of reading, including multi-sensory and explicit instruction. SuperDville features short video lessons, which include real kids w

In this episode, we interview Matt Pierri, founder of Sociability, an app that helps disabled people find accessible places to go and visit. Sociability provides information on various accessibility factors, including physical accessibility for wheelchair access, visual access, hearing access, and sensory accessibility. The app allows users to add their own information and reviews

In this episode, we talk to Ethan Pierce about Adaptive Reader, a platform that preserves student dignity and enhances comprehension through leveled novels. Adaptive Reader uses both the power of technology and humans to customize and adapt classic literature to make it accessible for all readers. The platform allows for a side-by-side comparison between the translated text and the

This episode will highlight different sessions at ISTE 2024, the International Society for Technology in Education, in Denver, Colorado. We sat down with several presenters who are sharing different sessions about adaptive and assistive technology, special education, adaptive learning, and disability inclusion. We spoke to Katie Fielding, Devon Caldwell, Doris Nhan, and Susan Aplin

This episode is a two parter featuring Carrie Swails. In the first part of the episode, we talk about Carrie’s work with disability advocacy and activism. We discuss Carrie’s DEI work with companies and organizations, including an emphasis on the importance of company culture and clear accommodations processes for creating inclusive workspaces. In part two, we focus on Carrie�

In this episode, we sat down with Syren Nagakyire, the founder of Disabled Hikers, an organization that creates trail guides and resources for disabled hikers. Syren was inspired to create Disabled Hikers after realizing there was a lack of information about accessible trails. The organization’s trail guides are written by disabled hikers, for disabled hikers and uses a spoon ra

In this episode, we interviewed Jerred Mace from OneCourt, a company that is developing technology to make live sports more accessible to fans with Blindness or Low Vision. The technology uses data from sporting events to create tactile representations and physical sensations via a handheld device, which allows people to experience the game by feeling the vibrations. OneCourt has

In this episode, we talk to Jari Majewski Price, the founder and CEO of Feel the Beat. Feel the Beat is a nonprofit organization and dance studio in Colorado that is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible environments in dance education. Founded by Jari and Julia Faliano, who were both Deaf educators at the time, Feel the Beat allows Deaf and Hard of Hearing dancers and dan