Think Inclusive

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

Colleen Tomko — Parent advocate, artist, and president of Kids Together, an all-volunteer nonprofit promoting inclusion. A Penn State graduate and Partners in Policymaking alum, Colleen has dedicated her life to ensuring that all children, including her son Shawn, have access to inclusive education and community life.In this episode, Tim Villegas talks with Colleen Tomko about her lifelong advocacy for inclusive education and community belonging. From founding Kids Together to creating powerful advocacy cartoons, Colleen shares her personal journey, the systemic barriers families face, and why inclusion is a civil rights issue—not just an educational choice.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/colleen-tomko-kids-together/

Adam Walker and Sanjay Parekh are the co-founders of https://togetherletters.com, a platform designed to help people stay connected without relying on social media. Both are seasoned entrepreneurs and podcasters—Adam co-hosts Tech Talk Y’all, and Sanjay brings years of experience in tech and community building. Together, they’re passionate about creating tools that foster authentic, private connections.In this bonus episode, Tim talks with Adam Walker and Sanjay Parekh about Together Letters—a simple, email-based way to keep groups connected without the noise of social media. They share why they built it, how it works, and why it’s a game-changer for educators, teams, and anyone craving authentic connection.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/bonus-together-letters/

Mirko Chardin is the Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer at Novak Education. He previously served as the founding Head of School at Putnam Avenue Upper School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He co‑authored Equity by Design: The Power and Promise of UDL with Dr. Katie Novak and facilitates learning on topics such as implicit bias, microaggressions, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), restorative practices, identity, and courageous conversations about race.In this conversation, Mirko Chardin urges educators and leaders to reclaim the narrative around “equity” by grounding it in clear, shared definitions and everyday practice—what he calls “concept stabilization.” He argues that school is for kids, not adults, and that listening to learner voices and removing barriers must guide decisions at every level. The episode also explores UDL as a framework (not a bag of tips) for building cultures where all learners can become expert learners, supported by leadership that prioritizes humanity, reflection, and authentic impact.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/mirko-chardin-reclaiming-the-narrative-around-educational-equity/

Dr. Kate de Bruin — inclusive education academic at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia). Her work focuses on evidence‑informed practices and policies that improve participation and learning for all students, with an emphasis on students with disabilities. She has taught in secondary and higher education, designs inclusive education coursework for Master’s programs, and serves on the academic advisory board of All Means All – The Australian Alliance for Inclusive Education.Tim and Kate unpack how Australia’s highly decentralised education systems shape inclusion, why segregated “special schools” and units persist, and what accountability gaps mean for students with disabilities. They also dig into Kate’s classroom story—rallying a whole staff to create accessible texts and explicit writing supports—and the mindsets, coaching, and MTSS‑style approaches that help inclusion work in real classrooms.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/dr-kate-de-bruin-inclusive-education-in-australia/

AZ Chapman is a writer, athlete, and disability advocate from California. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler, AZ has navigated life with determination and resilience. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Special Education from California State University East Bay. AZ is also a passionate Special Olympics competitor, having participated in events like swimming, track, basketball, soccer, bocce, bowling, and golf. Her new children’s book, Cerebral Palsy Party, introduces elementary school students to peers with CP in an accessible and engaging way.In this episode, Tim Villegas interviews AZ Chapman about her debut children’s book Cerebral Palsy Party, which aims to educate young students about cerebral palsy and promote inclusion. AZ shares her personal journey through education, the challenges she faced in middle and high school, and her aspirations to become a special education teacher. The conversation also touches on the importance of kindness, accessibility, and advocacy for people with disabilities.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/az-chapman-cerebral-palsy-party/