Advocate committed to inclusion & social justice, proud mother of three wonderful humans, and part of the team that started Ollibean.

Deaf Teen Filmmakers Interpretation of Phillip Phillips’ “Home”

2016-11-10T10:11:25-05:00By |Categories: Around the Web, ASL Videos, ASL Videos, Author, blog, Cross Disability, Editor's Picks, General, Lauri Swann Hunt, Video, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Acceptance, connection, and belonging. Home. Thank you Deaf Film Camp for making such awesome videos!

Five Reasons You Need to Read ‘Ghost Boy’ by Martin Pistorius

2016-11-10T10:11:29-05:00By |Categories: AAC, Assistive Technology, Author, blog, Books You Need, Cerebral Palsy, Editor's Picks, General, Lauri Swann Hunt|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

For over ten years Martin Pistorius was trapped in his own body, fully cognizant, but unable to speak or move. He was surrounded by people who believed he was incapable of thinking and tried desperately to get just one person to notice. His story serves as a wake-up call for all of us to drastically change our assumptions about speech and intellectual capacity as well as the need to radically reform expectations and treatment of people with complex communication needs.

LOVED As I Am

2016-11-10T10:11:30-05:00By |Categories: blog, Lauri Swann Hunt, Ollibean Family, Products|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

We can all use a daily reminder that we are loved, accepted and adored for being exactly who we are. Ollibean Goods of the Day- "LOVED as I am" , "You Are Loved" and "I Am Loved" .

Ollibean Goods – Gifts That Celebrate Inclusion and Diversity

2016-11-10T10:11:30-05:00By |Categories: Author, blog, General, Lauri Swann Hunt, Products|Tags: , , , , , |

Ollibean Goods - gifts that celebrate inclusion and diversity . Ollibean Goods donates 10 % of net proceeds to fund literacy programs and provide iPads for communication .

The Impact of 250 Words on Literacy

2016-11-10T10:11:31-05:00By |Categories: Accessibility, Author, blog, Cross Disability, General, Inclusion, Lauri Swann Hunt, Literacy, Parenting|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Ollibean Literacy Lifehacks : Tools for parents and care providers without education backgrounds to easily provide literacy instruction. Sign up for our free Flashcards of the 250 Words that represent over two-thirds of captioned television.

Get Your Happy On

2016-11-10T10:11:31-05:00By |Categories: ASL Videos, ASL Videos, Author, blog, Editor's Picks, General, Lauri Swann Hunt, Video, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Love this video by Tina and Paul Sirimarco. Tina is

250 Words Represent Over Two-Thirds of Captioned Television

2016-11-10T10:11:31-05:00By |Categories: Author, blog, General, Lauri Swann Hunt, Literacy, Parenting, Search Categories|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

"There are more than 500,000 words in the English language,

How to Improve Literacy Without Even Trying

2016-11-10T10:11:32-05:00By |Categories: Accessibility, Accommodations, Assistive Technology, Author, Autism, blog, Cross Disability, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inclusion, Lauri Swann Hunt, Literacy|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

One of the simplest things you can do to improve

Accessibility Is a Right Not a Privilege

2016-11-10T10:11:32-05:00By |Categories: Accessibility, Accommodations, Advocacy In Action, Assistive Technology, Author, Autism, blog, Cross Disability, General, Inclusion, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Search Categories, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Accessibility is a right not a privilege. 20 posts

The Importance of Opportunity

2016-11-10T10:11:35-05:00By |Categories: AAC, Advocacy In Action, Author, blog, General, Henry Recommends, Inclusion, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Search Categories, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Dillan Barmache, a 14 year old autistic student, delivers his powerful 8th grade commencement speech using his iPad and brings the crowd to their feet.

Parents – Acceptance Starts at Home

2016-11-10T10:11:36-05:00By |Categories: Author, Autism, blog, Cross Disability, General, Inclusion, Lauri Swann Hunt, Neurodiversity, Ollibean Family, Parenting, Parenting Newsletter, Search Categories|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Parents, home is the single most important place for our

Who Cares About Kelsey? We do.

2016-11-10T10:11:36-05:00By |Categories: Advocacy In Action, Advocacy Resources, Author, blog, General, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Resources We Love, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

We first saw Who Cares About Kelsey ? at the National Center on Inclusive Education’s Summer Institute and instantly connected to the film's message of empowering students.

Is Your Child Learning How to Code?

2016-11-10T10:11:37-05:00By |Categories: Assistive Technology, Author, blog, Cross Disability, General, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Ollibean Family, Parenting|Tags: , , , , , |

We hope all kids are learning to code. If they aren't being taught programming skills in school, there are so many great sites that can help them get started today.

30 Second Message for Bullies

2016-11-10T10:11:37-05:00By |Categories: Advocacy In Action, Author, Autism, blog, Cross Disability, General, Inclusion Resources, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Resources, Resources We Love, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

AAPD's PSA features three real students sharing a simple message: people with disabilities are powerful, self-determined individuals—not victims.

Who Cares About Kelsey

2016-11-10T10:11:43-05:00By |Categories: Advocacy In Action, Author, blog, Cross Disability, Education, General, Henry Recommends, Inclusion, Inclusion Videos, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Kelsey Carroll lived with homelessness, self-mutilation, abuse and ADHD.  She was a likely high school dropout — until she encountered an education revolution that’s about empowering, not overpowering, teens with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Kelsey’s story, a story of trying to be seen for her potential rather than her past behavior.

Transforming Education to Benefit ALL Students

2016-11-10T10:11:46-05:00By |Categories: Author, Autism, blog, Cross Disability, General, Inclusion, Inclusive Education, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

As part of a 5-year, $24.5 million grant awarded by the U.S. DOE , the SWIFT Center was founded to assist districts and their schools to engage in a transformational process, in order to achieve equity and excellence for all students. Research has demonstrated that inclusive education significantly improves academic and behavior outcomes for all children.

Thank You, Ed Roberts

2016-11-10T10:11:46-05:00By |Categories: Advocacy, Advocacy In Action, Author, blog, Cross Disability, Disability Rights, Disability Rights Leaders, Editor's Picks, General, Inclusion, Inclusion Videos, Lauri Swann Hunt, Ollibean Thought Leaders, Politics, Think Tank, Video, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

"And we’re going to develop leadership, that has a fundamental difference and that is, it's inclusive . It believes in people, and in our strengths together . And we are going to change our society. " Ed Roberts

Disabilty and Civil Rights: Standing On the Right Side of History

2016-11-10T10:11:47-05:00By |Categories: AAC, Advocacy, Advocacy In Action, Author, blog, Cross Disability, Disability Rights, General, Inclusion, Inclusion Videos, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Ollibean Family, Ollibean Mama Spotlight, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

"If we were to go back to the 1960s and we were to talk to those leaders who were vehemently against desegregation, we would hear the conviction in their voices of them stating why they believe their decisions and what they were doing to those children were just. Just as I believe that some of you and some of the board members that have spoken believe that their decisions are just. But, I fear that the Hillsborough County School Board is standing on the wrong side of history."

Inclusion is a right not a privilege.

2016-11-10T10:11:47-05:00By |Categories: Advocacy, Advocacy, Advocacy In Action, Author, Autism, blog, Cross Disability, Disability Rights, General, Inclusion, Inclusion Videos, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Ollibean Family, Ollibean Mama Spotlight, Parenting, Search Categories, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Inclusion is not only socially just, but research shows it improves academic outcomes for all students.

I Am Here To Make A Difference For My People

2016-11-10T10:11:47-05:00By |Categories: Advocacy, Advocacy In Action, Author, blog, Cross Disability, Disability Rights, Editor's Picks, General, Inclusion, Inclusion Videos, Inclusive Education, Lauri Swann Hunt, Ollibean Brothers & Sisters, Ollibean Family, Ollibean Thought Leaders, Videos|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

"I am here to make a difference for my people. I hope that you listen to what I have to say. I want people like you to stop judging me." Tres Whitlock

Ollibean Spotlight: Renee Salas

2016-11-10T10:11:48-05:00By |Categories: Advocacy, Author, Autism, blog, Books You Need, Cross Disability, Editor's Picks, General, Inclusion, Lauri Swann Hunt, Lifestyle, Neurodiversity, Ollibean Family, Ollibean Mama Spotlight, Ollibean Thought Leaders, Parenting, Think Tank|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

" Talk to people with disabilities. As many as you can: Adults, adolescents, kids. These people are the real experts on disabilities. These are the people that can tell you what life with a disability is like." Renee Salas

Ollibean Spotlight: Kerima Cevik Pay It Forward Activist

2016-11-10T10:11:48-05:00By |Categories: blog, Lauri Swann Hunt, Ollibean Family, Ollibean Mama Spotlight, Parenting, Resources We Love|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

"Equal access, level playing field, dignity, respect for my son and all his community. No separate classrooms separate doors or isolation from others. See I’m a woman of color. When I began my education you could still see the Colored Only bathrooms in the Deep South. If you put my son in one room and say he is not good enough to be where the law says he should be, with his peers, then red flags of segregation fly up at me. Many parents of color feel the wrongness of it organically, but they have been convinced that their neurodiverse children are not good enough for their neighborhood school and that their children are a distraction or threat to typical children in some way. The different operating system in their child’s brain throws them off, particularly when maladaptive behaviors are in the mix. It leaves them feeling guilty, helpless, afraid their kids will come to harm, and they listen to anyone, even if their gut tells them the advice is unjust. I am and advocate of Universal Design for Learning. I think my son can be with his peers in age as well as ability and everyone can benefit." Kerima Cevik

Believing in Your Child and Why It Matters

2016-11-10T10:11:49-05:00By |Categories: AAC, Autism, blog, Cerebral Palsy, Cross Disability, Forums, General, Inclusion, Lauri Swann Hunt, Ollibean Brothers & Sisters, Ollibean Family, Ollibean Mama Spotlight, Ollibean Thought Leaders, Parenting|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

"No one affects a child's day, dreams and future like a mother. Of course we are never perfect, but perfect is never the goal." Tonya Whitlock

Ollibean Mama Spotlight : Ariane Zurcher

2016-11-10T10:11:49-05:00By |Categories: Autism, blog, Cross Disability, Inclusion, Lauri Swann Hunt, Neurodiversity, Ollibean Family, Ollibean Mama Spotlight, Parenting|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

"It means living in a society that embraces the diversity of human beings. It means inclusion is a way of life and manifests itself in every aspect of our culture, from the schools and education, to the work place and everything in between… It means paradise!" Ariane Zurcher

Advice from Someone Who Has Been There

2016-11-10T10:11:59-05:00By |Categories: Ableism, Autism, blog, Cross Disability, General, Inclusion, Lauri Swann Hunt, Neurodiversity, Ollibean Family, Parenting, Parenting Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I love Larry Bissonnette- artist and disability rights activist. If

Henry’s Road to Inclusion Part 1

2017-01-16T10:18:39-05:00By |Categories: blog, Lauri Swann Hunt|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Henry met Tracy, Larry, Harvey Lavoy, and Pascal Cheng on June 9, 2011. It was a very special day, one that would change Henry's life forever.

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