OCALI’s Inspiring Change
Stories and connections from OCALI’s ongoing work of inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities.
Episodes
45 episodes
Belonging Series: Follow Your Heart
"Follow your heart. I knew something else was going on with my son. As a mother, you have that instinct'…". Katwai shares her journey as a mother and advocate for her son and how this journey took many paths in finding the diagnosis, services, ...
Interview with Starr
With efforts underway to enhance the political power of people with disabilities by increasing voter registration and engagement, Starr shares her personal experience with accommodations and access to election information and voting options. Sh...
Mainting a Strong, Healthy Foundation
As we find ourselves taking on new roles and approaches to our daily lives during COVID-19, addressing your basic self-care needs is especially important to maintain a strong, healthy foundation. Julie, Dee, and Jen share their experiences as p...
A Better Me, A Better You: Sharing Your Self-Care Journey
Each person's journey with self-care and finding a more balanced life is unique. Inspiration can often be found in the experiences of others. This episode features interviews from the OCALICON 2019 session "A Better Me, A Better You." Attendees...
From My Perspective Series – Interview with Maria
Maria is a Special Education Transition and Vocational Coordinator supporting young adults with autism. She is also a parent of two boys with autism. Maria shares her thoughts on self-care, why it is important to find something that works for y...
From My Perspective Series – Interview with Ginny
Ginny is a parent of a young adult with autism. She also provides support for families and individuals with autism. Ginny shares what self-care means to her, why it is vital for parents and caregivers, and how it has strengthened her well-being...
From My Perspective Series – Interview with Michelle
Michelle is a young adult woman who shares her story of going blind and losing her hearing. She talks about the importance of family and why she's so passionate about self-advocacy.
From My Perspective Series – Interview with Patrick John Hughes and Patrick Henry Hughes
Straight off the stage at OCALICON 2017, our keynote speakers share some additional insight and encouragement for families.
From My Perspective Series – Interview with Jeff
Jeff is the dad of two young boys with disabilities. In this short interview, he'll share a proud parenting moment, and his hopes for one of his sons.
From My Perspective Series – Interview with Julie
Julie is a deaf woman, a mother and a teacher. She shares how her daughter's experience has been different than her own, her passion for language access, and got us all crying.
From My Perspective Series – Interview with Kelli
In this episode, Kelli shares her experience as an autistic woman who received a diagnosis after college. She describes her process and why she uses "identify first' language. She also shares thoughts on relationships and work, who's books she ...
From the Personal to the Possible: From My Perspective Series Intro
OCALI's original podcast – From My Perspective – is moving. But don't worry – it's not going far! All 13 episodes are now available under the Inspiring Change banner. Jen Bavry and Simon Buehrer chat about this exciting new ch...
No Single Word: Music, Sibling Connection, and Finding Voice Beyond Language
In this episode of Connecting the Dots, hosts Megan Trowbridge and Simon Buehrer welcome singer-songwriter and student Jalyn Short for a heartfelt conversation about sibling connection, communication, and creativity.Jalyn shares...
Quest for Curiosity: Bringing Interoception to Life
This episode of Connecting the Dots takes listeners inside a panel discussion recorded during OCALICONLINE, OCALI’s annual conference. Hosts Megan Trowbridge and Simon Buehrer explore what truly happens after professional development b...
Everyone’s Game: Rethinking Accessibility in Sports Venues
Live sports are about more than the game; they’re about connection, excitement, and shared community experiences. In this episode of Connecting the Dots, OCALI hosts Megan Trowbridge and Simon Buehrer sit down with Tim O’Connell, Senior Vice Pr...
This Music Will Continue to Play: A Conversation with Autism Center Program Director Amy Bixler Coffin
Megan and Simon are joined by Amy Bixler Coffin, program director of the Autism Center at OCALI and program manager of the Multi-System Navigation Center at OCALI. It’s a big and bittersweet moment as Amy retires after a 20-year career at OCALI...
We Know What Works: Jim Taylor on Learning Styles, Community, Football, and 45+ Years in the Field of Autism
In this episode of Connecting the Dots from the Autism Center at OCALI, hosts Megan Trowbridge and Simon Buehrer sit down with long-time friend and autism expert Jim Taylor from Stirling, Scotland. With over 45 years of experience in t...
It’s Not a Celebration of Ohio if All Ohioans Can’t Come: Building a More Inclusive Fair Experience
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 ad...
Making Change In The World. And Out of It. Dr. Sheri Wells-Jensen on Disability in Space
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...
Grace and Grit: A Conversation with Judy Heumann, Temple Grandin, and Haben Girma
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 ...
Small Gestures and True Wins: The A + B = C Equation
OCALI’s Executive Director, Shawn Henry, discusses the necessary components of access and belonging when building community in closing remarks delivered at OCALICON.
There Is Strength In Every Community: A Conversation about Special Education in Rural and Urban Settings
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...
It’s Really About Living Your Moments Well With Other People
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
“We Get Stuff Done": A Conversation about Women and Autism
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 ...
”May the Power Be With You”: The Margaret Burley Family Impact Award
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, an...
