We promised you a Part 2 with Michael Hingson—and here it is! We don’t always get the opportunity to follow up a guest interview with a second part, and that’s why we are thrilled to bring you more of Michael’s inspiring story and his important work in the field of accessibility. Michael first joined us last May for an episode titled, “Approaching Life with an Unstoppable Mindset.” (Click here to listen!)

Michael Hingson has a fascinating life story. With a master’s degree in physics, he is an educator, best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and disability advocate—and he is blind and a 9/11 World Trade Center survivor. When his premature birth called for a pure oxygen environment, his retinas were irreparably damaged, and he has been blind ever since. His parents were urged to institutionalize him because “no blind child can ever amount to anything or contribute to society”---or so the doctors said. His parents refused and gave Michael every chance to learn as any other child, sending him to public schools throughout his life and demanding that he adapt to his disability to live an independent life. He earned his physics degree and secondary education teacher credential, going on to become an accomplished salesman and sales manager. He is a coveted keynote speaker, author of Thunder Dog: The Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust, and host of the Unstoppable Mindset podcast.

Show Highlights:

• Diversity, inclusion, and disability (According to the CDC, 25% of Americans have some sort of disability.)
• Why we don’t talk about disability
• Fear can be a powerful tool to focus us when we feel blinded, paralyzed, or overwhelmed.
• Michael’s next book (August 2024), Live Like a Guide Dog: True Stories from a Blind Man and His Dogs about Being Brave, Overcoming Adversity, and Walking in Faith
• Michael’s work with AccessiBe to advance accessibility with AI technology
• Accessibility technologies for those with cognitive disabilities, ADHD, etc.
• Changing the thinking around disability and “visual impairment”
• A glimpse into Michael’s full life today: traveling, speaking, podcasting, and working tirelessly to advance accessibility for everyone

Links/Resources:

Connect with Michael Hingson: Website, Thunder Dog book, Live Like a Guide Dog book, and the Unstoppable Mindset podcast.

Find out more about AccessiBe.

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center:...

Today’s episode is Part 2 of our conversation with Santanna Ficken, a mental health practitioner who proudly identifies as a disabled, autistic/ADHDer with multiple neurodivergencies. Santanna is a passionate advocate with MnNEAT (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services), which focuses on building trust and relationships in the neurodivergent community while advocating for social justice for all disabled people. Today’s episode is focused on how IEPs can be improved to be neurodiversity-affirming. Join us to learn more!

Show Highlights:

• Understanding what it means to be neurodiversity-affirming
• IEPs for neurodiverse students should respect autonomy, validate differences, assume competence, adjust expectations, encourage self-advocacy, adapt to systems/environments, and honor ALL forms of communication.
• The goal in IEPs should NOT be to change or “fix” the student!
• Examples of trauma for students caused by the IEP
• Santanna’s experience in school as a neurodivergent student
• The process of rewriting IEPs to be neurodiversity-affirming
• IEP data misses a lot of relevant information about the student’s experience.
• What Santanna would like school administrators to know

Links/Resources:

Connect with Santanna Ficken and MnNEAT: Website

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us: admin@iepcalifornia.org

Today’s episode is Part 1 of our conversation with Santanna Ficken, a mental health practitioner who proudly identifies as a disabled, autistic/ADHDer with multiple neurodivergencies. Santanna is a passionate advocate with MnNEAT (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services), which focuses on building trust and relationships in the neurodivergent community while advocating for social justice for all disabled people. Join us to learn more!

Show Highlights:

• Santanna’s background in advocacy and support for neurodivergent children and their families
• Ableism—what people should know about this form of discrimination
• Understanding the three types of ableism: institutional, internalized, and interpersonal
• The IEP process is clearly systemic ableism, as Santanna explains.
• Our focus on “fixing” a disability is wrong.
• The difficulties in trying to redirect IEP conversations to ensure that every child has an affirming educational experience with accessibility
• What Santanna wants every school team to know
• The need for plain language in IEPs that focuses on supporting the child

Links/Resources:

Connect with Santanna Ficken and MnNEAT: Website

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us here and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us: admin@iepcalifornia.org