The Power of Inclusion: A Conversation with Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian (8.6.17)

About the Guest(s):

Emily Ladau: Emily is a passionate disability rights activist, public speaker, writer, and digital communications consultant. She is the editor-in-chief of a blog for an organization called Rooted in Rights and has worked on various projects related to disability accessibility. Emily believes in making ideas and concepts readily accessible to people with disabilities to create a more inclusive world.

Kyle Khachadurian: Kyle does not identify as an activist but is dedicated to bringing about greater understanding of the disability experience. He has experience working in the field of communications and has a background in disability advocacy. Kyle co-hosts the Accessible Stall podcast with Emily, where they discuss disability issues and strive to create a more inclusive society.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian, the co-hosts of the Accessible Stall podcast. They discuss their journey in starting the podcast and their perspectives on disability inclusion and education. Emily shares her experience of attending a mainstream public school, while Kyle attended a school specifically for disabled individuals. They explore the pros and cons of self-contained special education classrooms and the importance of finding a balance between inclusion and meeting individual needs. The conversation delves into the complexities of inclusive education and the challenges faced by the disability community.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/ZEwkhiZQs_jOoSa3L5yZ8ncBrVk

Key Takeaways:

-The debate around self-contained special education classrooms: The discussion revolves around the conflicting needs of environmentalists and disability activists regarding the accessibility of pre-peeled oranges in plastic packaging. This debate highlights the importance of considering the needs of disabled individuals and finding inclusive solutions.
-The benefits of inclusion: Emily shares her positive experience of attending a mainstream school and being included in all activities. She believes that inclusion allows disabled individuals to thrive and interact with peers of all abilities, fostering a more inclusive society.
-The drawbacks of self-contained classrooms: Kyle reflects on his experience attending a school specifically for disabled individuals and how it stunted his social growth. He believes that a more specialized education, balancing education with medical needs, would have benefited students like him.
-The need for a nuanced approach: Both Emily and Kyle emphasize the need for a nuanced approach to inclusive education. They acknowledge that inclusion can be complex and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is important to consider individual needs while striving for inclusive environments.
-Lack of inclusive spaces: The conversation highlights the lack of inclusive spaces for disabled individuals. Emily shares her experience of attending a summer camp specifically for disabled children, which provided a sense of inclusion. However, she also questions why disabled individuals need separate spaces and calls for more inclusive environments.

Resources:
Accessible Stall podcast: https://www.theaccessiblestall.com/
Rooted in Rights: https://rootedinrights.org/

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