About the Guest(s):

Rachel Zemach is a deaf author and former educator with a passionate career centered around advocating for deaf students. Her profound experiences in mainstream education as a deaf teacher culminated in the writing of her book, "The Butterfly Cage: Joy, Heartache, and Corruption Teaching While Deaf in a California Public School," published in 2023. Rachel, who became deaf at the age of 10, is a strong proponent of positive deaf identity and sign language, striving to raise awareness about the challenges faced by deaf students in mainstream educational settings. She currently resides in Northern California.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas speaks with Rachel Zemach, a deaf author and former teacher, about her firsthand experiences educating deaf children within California's public school system. The episode dives deep into the themes of inclusion, identity, and the significance of tailored education for deaf students. With her book "The Butterfly Cage" as the backdrop, Rachel shares transformative insights from her decade-long teaching career and discusses the deep impacts of a strong deaf identity.

Rachel Zemach highlights the pressing issues mainstream education faces when accommodating deaf students, pressing for educational systems that embrace American Sign Language and deaf culture. The conversation explores how a better understanding of communication barriers and the hiring of deaf professionals can promote a conducive learning environment. The potential of inclusive education systems and their ability to cater to a diverse learning community without trying to "fix" or change deaf students is a central theme.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/unveiling-the-deaf-experience-rachel-zemachs-identity-transformation-journey/

Key Takeaways:

-Deaf Identity and Education: Rachel Zemach emphasizes the need for deaf children to be taught by deaf teachers or in environments that celebrate deaf culture and identity.

-Sign Language and Communication: Schools should promote the learning and use of American ------Sign Language to foster inclusivity and understanding among deaf and hearing students.

-Mainstreaming Challenges: Mainstream education often inadequately supports deaf students, emphasizing speech over sign language, leading to communication breakdowns and educational inequity.

-Benefits of Deaf Schools: Deaf schools provide a unique environment where deaf children thrive, offering cultural identity, peer connection, and effective communication.

-Systemic Changes: Implementation of resources, like certified interpreters and deaf educators, is crucial for creating supportive and inclusive educational settings.

Resources:

Rachel Zemach's Book: The Butterfly Cage https://rachelzemach.com/

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL Learning: https://ixl.com/inclusive

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About the Guest(s):

Emily Ladau is an activist, writer, and speaker, known for her relentless advocacy for disability rights. With a decade of experience, Emily serves as the editor of Able News, a digital newspaper amplifying the voices and stories of New York's vibrant disability community. Her involvement in disability rights extends beyond writing, as she continually seeks to inspire and challenge societal perceptions through her speaking engagements and published works, including her book aimed at bridging understanding between disabled and non-disabled communities.

Episode Summary:

In this stimulating episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages with long-time friend and leading disability advocate Emily Ladau. As they delve into pressing issues confronting minority groups, Emily reflects on the systematic erosion of rights for the disability community, particularly those with multiple marginalized identities. She provides personal insights into navigating these challenges while expressing the uncertainties of future potentials for individuals’ rights, especially under the current sociopolitical climate of 2025.

The conversation moves to explore the intricacies of communicating effectively with diverse audiences, with an emphasis on thoughtfully engaging conservative politicians. Emily shares the balance of maintaining authenticity while strategically choosing words that resonate across party lines, addressing the need for cross-aisle dialogue in advancing disability rights. She also provides crucial advice for those striving to be allies, emphasizing the importance of mindful communication and adaptive advocacy efforts as tools for sustaining momentum in inclusivity goals. This episode is a rich tapestry of personal reflection and strategic insights, capturing the pulse of advocacy in challenging times.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/

Key Takeaways:

-The current sociopolitical environment is eroding disability rights, with advocates like Emily Ladau emphasizing the dire impacts on those with multiple marginalized identities.

-Strategic vagueness in political rhetoric is creating an environment of fear and uncertainty, where advocacy requires deliberate and thoughtful communication.

-Emily Ladau underscores the necessity of adjusting language to gain support from conservative audiences by aligning advocacy messages with core values.

-Recognizing the limits of individual capacity, Emily advises allies to engage in advocacy through manageable actions without compromising personal well-being.

-She stresses the significance of platforms like social media in advocating for disability rights, highlighting its dual role in fostering community and echo chambers.

Resources:

Emily's Website: https://emilyladau.com/

Able News: https://ablenews.com/

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL: https://ixl.com/inclusive

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About the Guest(s):

Charmaine Thaner is a seasoned educator and advocate with over 30 years of experience, who has dedicated her career to supporting families and children with special needs. As a mother to a son with Down syndrome, she blends personal experience with professional expertise to guide parents through the complexities of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Thaner is the founder of the Connecting for Change group, where she coaches parents and offers innovative tools and techniques to empower them in educational advocacy, focusing on creating inclusive environments where every child feels valued and supported.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas converses with Charmaine Thaner about the intersection of artificial intelligence and inclusive education advocacy. Villegas kicks off the episode with an intriguing twist — using an AI-generated version of his voice to introduce the topic and set the stage for a discussion on how AI can be leveraged as a tool for empowerment in educational advocacy.

Thaner shares her journey into using AI tools like ChatGPT, describing how they have revolutionized her approach to helping parents navigate the IEP process. By integrating AI in drafting emails, summarizing meetings, and even crafting legislative communications, Thaner highlights the potential these tools hold for reducing stress and enhancing clarity for parents and educators alike. She discusses the nuanced art of crafting effective prompts and custom GPTs tailored to individual advocacy goals, and how Chris Voss's negotiation techniques inspire more engaging conversations in educational settings. Throughout the episode, Tanner emphasizes the importance of maintaining authentic human connections in advocacy work, even as AI tools enhance efficiency and precision.

Complete show notes and transcript: (coming soon)

Key Takeaways:

-AI in Advocacy: Charmaine Thaner discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT can support parents in writing effective advocacy emails, summarizing meetings, and preparing for educational presentations.

-Customized AI Solutions: Thaner introduces the concept of custom GPTs, tailored AI solutions that reflect personal advocacy goals and values, proving invaluable for individualized support.

-Negotiation Techniques: Inspired by Chris Voss, Thaner utilizes negotiation strategies to craft more productive and empathetic communications with educators.

-AI Beyond Emails: The use of AI extends to legislative advocacy, assisting parents in developing personalized messages to policymakers.

-Human Connection: Despite AI's capabilities, Thaner stresses that authentic human interaction remains vital in advocacy efforts.

Resources:

Find Charmaine here: https://iep.today/Charmaine

Chris Voss's book: Never Split the Difference: https://amzn.to/4knHSx3

AI tools mentioned: ChatGPT, Claude, Poe, and Descript

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.