That's Inclusive!

The Directors of the DD Act Partnership, Isadora Rodriguez-Legendre, Stephanie Patrick, and Kelly Nye Lengerman discuss the launch of our Stop Special Campaign advocating for evolving the language we use when talking about disability.

Historically, the term “special” was used as a euphemism for disability. Over time it has embedded itself in policy, laws, and professional titles. Many in the disability community find this term offensive and “othering”. Join us in talking to our communities about leaving the word special behind when talking about disability.

Learn More: Stop Special Campaign

StopSpecial.org

In this episode ABLE NH director, Sarah Tollefsen, speaks with Isadora about ABLE NH’s task forces and the work they are doing to bring grassroots advocacy to the community.

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In this episode Chase talks with Kelly Starr, director of Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country about the important role that sports serves in creating inclusive communities.

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Adaptive Sports Partners

In this episode Vanessa and Pat discuss storytelling through media platforms and how advocates can use these channels to elevate their voices and effect change.

Learn More: Jim and Pat, You Tube Channel

In this episode Isadora talks with advocate Kelly Ehrhart and Julie Lago of Center for Life Management about the collaborative care model that is changing the way disabled people with mental health needs receives care in our system.

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In this episode Isadora talks with Ernesto Burden, publisher of 603 Diversity Magazine and advocate for inclusive community spaces.

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603 Diversity Magazine

In this episode Vanessa and Chase talk with Disability Rights NH attorney, James Ziegra about the good, the bad, and the ugly picture of voting access in NH. 

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In this episode Pat interviews Sarah Sadowski, parent of a child with a disability and DD Council Member. Pat and Sarah discuss taking on the role of family caregiving and the effects of the paid caregiver crisis. 

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This episode Pat interviews Olivia Zink. Olivia is the executive director for Open Democracy NH. Pat and Olivia discuss all things democracy in the Granite State. They cover:

• Changes to absentee voting since the end of the pandemic
• Efforts to strengthen the democratic process
• The effect of money in politics
• Accessible voting options
• And at least one surprise!

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Sheila Vargas, the Community Partnerships Manager at the Nature Conservancy, talks with Blake Tyler about involving the community in planning accessible outdoor recreation, how preset notions send a false message that nature is only for certain people, and how the work to make the outdoors more inclusive to everyone continues. 

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The Nature Conservancy in NH

That’s Inclusive! hosts Isadora, Patricia and Vanessa discuss inspiration porn. What it is, how we identify it, how it distracts from addressing real barriers, and how it needs to go away.

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Katelin Garland and Patricia Vincent-Piet, a mother-daughter team, discuss Katelin’s experience growing up with parents who have disabilities.

A transcript for this episode can be found on the NHCDD website at:

In this episode we hear from Nicole Sheaff, a parent advocate who had to learn to navigate the education and services systems to provide support for her 4 children, who have mental health and developmental disabilities.

A transcript for this episode can be found on the NHCDD website at:

In this episode New Hampshire Advocate, You Tuber and DD Council member, Patricia Vincent-Piet talks about the challenges of life in the Granite State for people with disabilities. She touches on housing, transportation, visit-ability, and ableism.

In our first full-length episode, Vanessa Blais talks with the Executive Director of the NHCDD, Isadora Rodriguez-Legendre, about the work of the council and how to get involved in advocating for a more inclusive world.