OCALI’s Inspiring Change

Join us for the debut of Connecting the Dots, a new podcast series from the Autism Center at OCALI, aimed at raising awareness about autism and empowering communities. In our first episode, we explore how the 2024 Ohio State Fair is advancing inclusivity through its Sensory-Friendly Morning. Now in its fifth year, this special event lowers noise and lights to create a more accessible environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Through conversations with families attending the fair and insights from key partners like the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Autism Society of Central Ohio, we highlight how these efforts are making the fair more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. Discover how small changes can make a big impact in creating events where everyone feels they belong. Resources:Autism Center at OCALI Sensory-Friendly Morning at the Ohio State Fair Autism Center Grab and Go Resource Gallery of Interventions Access + Belonging = Community Event Guide 

Intuitive Machine's Odysseus recently completed the U.S.'s first moon landing in 50 years. As we continue to explore the “final frontier,” how can we leverage disability's practical, creative, and ingenuous problem-solving skills – and contingency plans – to better prepare for bold new adventures? And how do these noble pursuits help us build better communities here on Earth? Dr. Sheri Wells-Jenson, associate professor of linguistics at BGSU and the Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology, Exploration, and Scientific Innovation commands this mission.

The OCALICON Rewind series continues featuring a conversation with three leaders, legends, and luminaries. Judy, Temple, and Haben come together for the first time to reflect on their work, contributions, and advocacy efforts over the years, and discuss how different ways of thinking, collaborating, and innovating are necessary to building a more inclusive world for everyone.

OCALI's Executive Director, Shawn Henry, discusses the necessary components of access and belonging when building community in closing remarks delivered at OCALICON.

OCALI's "Rewind" series continues with a dialogue about the current state of disability education in both rural and urban settings. The conversations features leaders from ACRES, an organization focused on rural disability education and members of the Urban Collaborative, an organization focused on urban disability education.

How can we build and foster better and more significant relationships? Using a framework grounded in research, Tim Vogt and Danyetta Najoli from Starfire in Cincinnati, and Jill Mays from PSU in Lebanon, OH, shared some thoughts, laughs, experiences, and recommendations for creating and supporting meaningful engagements, intentional connections, and stronger and more inclusive communities. This conversation was originally recorded as part of the 2022 Innovation Series, developed by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and OCALI.

The Rewind series resumes with a candid conversation with two autistic women and the parent of a young woman with autism as they share their personal stories of the journey to receiving a diagnosis, as well as the challenges that they faced in obtaining appropriate resources and services. Kelli Yeagley is a consultant, educator, and advocate specializing in autism, disability, and accessibility. Siena Castellon is author of The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide: How To Grow Up Awesome and Autistic and creator of the Quantum Leap Mentoring website. Susan Rothschild is the mother to a young woman on the autism spectrum, Chloe Rothschild, who was featured in Episode 5 – “It's Different for Girls.” OCALI's Amy Bixler Coffin and psychologist Dr. Ruth Aspy co-facilitate the discussion.

Since 2016, OCALI has awarded the Margaret Burley Family Impact Award to a parent or professional who has made a significant impact on the lives of families of those with disabilities. But who is Margaret Burley? And why is her work, impact, and legacy important enough to memorialize and honor through this annual award? We discuss with Donna Owens, OCALI's former director of the Family and Community Outreach Center and unofficial resident historian. Links: Ohio Coalition for the Education of Students with Disabilities | Margaret Burley Family Impact Award

Sheila Graschinsky is the president and CEO of Fundación Ian, an organization in Buenos Aires focused on promoting a diverse and inclusive society. She collaborated with Mundoloco CGI to produce the short animated film Ian, which is based on a real-life experience involving Sheila and her son, Ian. It's a powerful piece that addresses discrimination and bullying and helps all of us understand why inclusion and diversity are so critically important to our society.

Kim Clairy, OTR/L, and Kelly Mahler, OTD, OTR/L, challenge us to step beyond traditional thinking and understanding of trauma and reflect on how trauma is defined and experienced differently by people on the autism spectrum – including complications that can occur involving sensory challenges, social isolation, communication difficulties, and more. Kim further illustrates her own experiences with different forms of trauma in her life by sharing some of her candid and deeply personal poetry and writing. Learn more at kimclairy.com and kelly-mahler.com 

New! The Rewind podcast series features speakers, sessions, and stories from OCALICON – the premier autism and disabilities conference. Dr. Charles Barrett is a nationally-certified school psychologist, as well as a writer, musician, and teacher from Northern Virginia. His work is anchored by a focus on justice and equity, which represents his unwavering commitment to advocating for populations that have been marginalized by systemic oppression. Follow him at charlesbarrett.org. Twitter: @_charlesbarrett Instagram: @charlesabarrett

Dani Bowman is an animator, filmmaker, author, teacher, student, and entrepreneur from Southern California. We first met in the summer of 2012 while she was teaching an animation camp to kids and young adults at our offices in Columbus. Dani was still in high school at the time. Fast forward eight years, and we wanted to check in and see how things are going – with her animation company, her continued studies, her animation camps, and her ongoing mission to change the world’s perception of autism. Learn more about Dani’s projects and her online animation courses at her website.

A conversation with Gabby Kozinski, a recent high school graduate from Bucyrus, OH, and the multi-agency group of professionals who have been her support team as she gets ready for the next phase in her journey.

OCALI’s Jen Bavry and Shawn Henry chat with poet, speaker, and advocate LeDerick Horne about his experiences as a young man with disabilities, his work towards helping give young people a vision for what is possible, and the fresh world of opportunities that opens up when you’re freed from the tyranny of spelling.

We catch up with director Kevin Miller from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities at the ODNR park at the Ohio State Fair.

July 2020 marks the 30-year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by the first President Bush in 1990.We talk to D’Arcee Neal, Diana Mairose, and Mark Seifarth – three people from three different generations – about what the ADA means to them, what it does for them, where it misses the mark, and their recommendations going forward as the journey continues.

We chat with Marla Berkowitz, Lena Smith, and Christy Horne – the superstar team of ASL interpreters for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s daily COVID-19 press conferences. John Moore of DSC is the discussion moderator. Closing music from Sean Forbes.

Kim Clairy is an occupational therapist, consultant, poet, and self-advocate. Her husband, William Miller, is a writer and novelist. The two of them sat down with us during a short open mic interview at OCALICON 2019 to share the story of how they met, and give a glimpse into how their marriage works.

How Ohio’s Daily COVID-19 Update has Elevated Awareness About the Importance of AccessWe chat with Marla Berkowitz, Lena Smith, and Christy Horne – the superstar team of ASL interpreters for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s daily COVID-19 press conferences. John Moore of DSC is the discussion moderator. Music from Sean Forbes.

We chat with an intervention specialist and two parents from Lancaster, OH, about what it’s like to try and educate and engage students while schools are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rachael Mills teaches first through third-grade students at Medill Elementary. Bridget Kelly is the mother of third-grade student, Damian. Ben Berger is the father of first-grade student Evelyn. Hint: Patience and flexibility are key. It also helps when you can tag out and take a short break. And know that it’s going to be okay.

REM Ohio provides an array of supports and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, most of which involve direct, face-to-face, hands-on, and physical proximity. So how do these services continue in the era of social distancing? We discuss with Buffie LaBelle, regional director for the East region of the state, and Heather Reynolds, a program supervisor.

We chat with a multiple disabilities teacher and parent of a first grader and learn about their tag-team efforts to continue education during the school shut down.

We chat with a multiple disabilities teacher and parent of a first grader and learn about their tag-team efforts to continue education during the school shut down.

Our new series – “Voices, Visions, and Victories” – continues with a conversation with Katie Robinson, accessible educational materials production specialist in the AT&AEM Center at OCALI. We talk about the challenges of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, friendly encounters with strangers, paying attention to purple wildflowers, and her murder of crows.

In the first episode in "Voices, Visions, and Victories" – our new series produced during the COVID-19 pandemic – we chat with Sarah Buffie about trauma's impact on the brain and body, cultivating intentional social practices during a period of isolation, getting curious together, and incorporating more engagement in our physical surroundings – which might include singing, dancing, or even playing with expired condiments during times of quarantine. Learn more and connect with Sarah at soulbirdconsulting.info

A panel discussion with four autistic women about their diagnosis, their work, their personal and professional relationships, and their communities. Moderated by Dr. Ruth Aspy and Dr. Barry Grossman, licensed psychologists specializing in assessment and intervention for people with ASD. Recorded live at OCALICON 2019. You can find Kim Clairy’s poetry at http://www.kimclairy.com/poetry.

How do you “dial back the fair” and create a sensory-friendly experience in an environment that can often trigger sensory overload? Listen to our full interview with Alicia Shoults, marketing and public relations director for the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair, and Angela Krile, vice chair of the Ohio Expositions Commission.

“It’s her first time out in a big outing like this. She’s non-verbal, and she’s just loving it.” Let’s spend a day at the Fair! We profile the first ever Sensory Friendly Morning at the 166th Ohio State Fair. Find out what happens when you lower the lights and sounds of the midway and take additional steps towards accommodating the needs of those with sensory challenges.

“How do we build a better community together?” Many people with disabilities have historically found work in what are commonly referred to as sheltered workshops. These are typically spaces where they perform repetitive tasks such as stuffing envelopes or shredding documents. Since 2012 – if not before – Ohio has been shifting away from this type of employment model towards one where community employment and individual choice are the preferred outcomes for people with disabilities. How is that move going? We catch up with some of the professionals behind the scenes and on the front lines during their annual gathering in Columbus.

In the podcast teaser, we get a brief taste of the first ever Sensory Friendly Morning at the Ohio State Fair. After gorging ourselves on deep fried corn-on-the-cob and pickle-flavored popsicles, we catch up with some of the attendees and find out what it’s like to attend a quieter and calmer state fair.