“When Schools Say ‘NO’ to Inclusion”

On Friday, October 26, 2012 at 9 AM Eastern Standard Time, The Inclusive Class Podcast proudly presents a one hour long roundtable event on Blog Talk Radio. This event brings together experts in the area of inclusive education to discuss and respond with practical techniques when schools say ‘NO’ to inclusion.

Facilitated by parent and advocate, Lauri Swann Hunt, 7 panel members will present tools and strategies to craft an effective response to schools who are reluctant to educate children with their same-age peers in general education settings. Instead, students with special needs are offered an education in segregated environments and even in neighborhoods other than their own.

Our panel of esteemed and accomplished experts include:

Tom Mihail – Tom is the past Chair of Graduate Special Education at Purdue University Calumet. He has a 43-year career (teacher, administrator, and professor) in special education and is designer/creator of 10 human services Internet sites, including Myths and Facts About Supported Inclusive Education. He currently teaches full-time in the Teacher Preparation Program at Purdue Calumet.

 

Frances Stetson – Frances is president of Stetson and Associates, Inc. She has been a classroom teacher, TEA Chief Consultant, Director of a national project funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) of the U.S. Department of Education on inclusion, and a regional Director of Special Education and of General Education and Accreditation. She has authored the chapters on Least Restrictive Environment for the Annual Report to Congress on IDEA six times. Her company currently oversees the Inclusive Schools Network.

 

Torrie Dunlap – Torrie is the Chief Executive Officer for the organization, Kids Included Together, which provides training for community-based organizations committed to including children with and without disabilities in programs outside of school. She was a contributing author for a college textbook titled “Inclusive Recreation”, published in 2010 by Human Kinetics Publishing.

 

Lisa Rudy – Lisa is the author of “Get Out, Explore and Have Fun” (Jessica Kingsley, 2010), a book about autism in the community. She presently writes regularly for Autism After 16, a website dedicated to the needs of teens and adults on the spectrum.  In addition to writing, Lisa is also a consultant on alternative learning styles and community inclusion, and the author of numerous articles on informal education and learning.

 

Kathleen McClaskey – Kathleen is a recognized UDL Expert and Digital Learning Consultant with over 29 years experience in using technology in the classroom. Kathleen is a frequent international, national and regional workshop presenter on topics that include Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Technology for Diverse Learners, and Math and Technology: Bringing Research to Practice. Kathleen believes in using technology to level the playing field. In addition, she is co-founder of Personalize Learning.

 

Paula Kluth – Paula is a consultant, author, advocate, and independent scholar. She is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher and inclusion facilitator. In addition, Paula is the author or co-author of 10 books including “You’re Going to Love This Kid”: Teaching Students with Autism in Inclusive Classrooms. Paula is also a director of a documentary film titled “We Thought You’d Never Ask”: Voices of People with Autism.

 

Mary Ulrich – Mary is a mother to a 36-year-old son who has special needs, and knows first hand the benefits of inclusive education in the community. She has been a university professor at Miami University who has taught courses to education students about inclusion, and actively advocates for people with special needs. Mary has had many experiences with inclusive education and has seen many things – both good and bad! She has a website called Climbing Every Mountain.

For more than a year, The Inclusive Class Podcast has hosted weekly interviews with scholars, authors, educators and students on the topic of inclusive education. Through these interviews, co-hosts Nicole Eredics & Terri Mauro, have provided outstanding information and resources to their listeners. They are thrilled to be hosting this roundtable which will provide further support and advice to families, educators and organizations who seek to successfully include children with special needs in the regular classroom.

For more information about The Inclusive Class Podcast, you can contact Nicole Eredics at theinclusiveclass@gmail.com or on the web at www.theinclusiveclass.com.