🎙️ Episode 6: “The Fight for Education — Why Access Still Isn’t Equal”

For decades, America has promised inclusive classrooms where every student can learn, grow, and belong. But for many children with disabilities, that promise is still out of reach.

In this powerful episode of The On Target Podcast, hosts Adam Stultz and Dr. Matthew J. Ramsey, President & CEO of Target Community & Educational Services, explore the history and heart of the fight for equal education — from the legacy of institutionalization to the laws that opened classroom doors for millions of students.

Dr. Ramsey shares the story of Tommy Spohn-Zeller, a longtime Target participant whose life represents both how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Together, Adam and Matt unpack:

• The evolution of special education and the impact of landmark legislation like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

• The difference between mainstreaming and true inclusion, and why equality means more than simply sharing a classroom.

• The critical role of advocacy, access, and culture in shaping opportunity for every student.

From powerful personal stories to honest reflections on policy and practice, this episode challenges us to see education as more than a system — but a promise of dignity, opportunity, and community for all.

🎧 Listen now to learn why inclusion is more than placement — it’s participation, potential, and power.

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