Innovating Inclusion

Fox Family Foundation - Innovating Inclusion
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  • EDUCATION

Talking disability inclusion, universal design, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Join hosts Katie Corbett, Steven McCoy, and Dennis Tran with Co-Hosts Angie Castro, Mandeep Ladhar, Lee Fox Beauregard, and Akira Nakano, as they talk to the change makers of today for a better tomorrow.

  1. Nicholas Wyman on Creating Apprenticeships for the Disability Community, the Hashtag #GSD, and His New Book

    NOV 8

    Nicholas Wyman on Creating Apprenticeships for the Disability Community, the Hashtag #GSD, and His New Book

    Workforce development guru Nicholas Wyman joins us today to talk about how his company IWSI America build apprenticeships, especially around the disability community. He will also discuss his new book, Attract, Retain,, Develop: Shaping a Skilled Workforce for the Future. NICHOLAS WYMAN BIO Nicholas “Nick” Wyman began his career as an award-winning chef before becoming a globally recognized leader in workforce innovation. As founder and CEO of IWSI America, he has pioneered national apprenticeship initiatives — from the first registered U.S. forestry apprenticeship in 35 years to groundbreaking healthcare programs for people with disabilities. Nick is the author of Job U: How to Find Wealth and Success by Developing the Skills Companies Need (Penguin) and Attract, Retain, Develop: Shaping a Skilled Workforce for the Future (Fast Company Press, 2025). He contributes to Forbes, Fast Company, CNBC, and the MIT Press Journal, and is known for translating global best practices into practical solutions that reshape careers and communities. His latest work explores the intersection of wellness and work — how personal health, resilience, and performance fuel not only individual success but also the future of organizations. WEBSITES https://www.iwsiamerica.org/ https://www.readywillingable.us/who-we-are https://www.nicholaswyman.com/ LINK TO AMAZON for Nick's New Book If anyone is interested in a complimentary copy of Attract, Retain, Develop: Shaping a Skilled Workforce for the Future, please contact info@foxgiving.org. Audio books are also available.  Thank you, Nick! CO-PRODUCED BY Alexandra Rush HOST & PRODUCER Akira Nakano www.innovatinginclusion.org

    32 min
  2. Lauren Branch on Leveraging Technology and Advocacy to Make Her Org the Largest Employer of the Blind in Oklahoma

    OCT 10

    Lauren Branch on Leveraging Technology and Advocacy to Make Her Org the Largest Employer of the Blind in Oklahoma

    Katie and Steven sit down with CEO Lauren Branch, as she talks about building NewView Oklahoma into the largest employer of people who are blind in the state.  BIO LAUREN BRANCH has been with NewView Oklahoma, formerly the Oklahoma League for the Blind, since 1997. A native of Houston, Texas, Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Texas A&M University in 1986. She is also a certified public accountant. Under Lauren’s leadership, NewView Oklahoma has undergone unprecedented growth, employing more than 150 individuals, most of whom are blind or low vision and serving thousands of Oklahomans with vision loss. NewView is now the largest employer of people who are blind in the state and has been recognized both locally and nationally as one of the premier organizations in the country providing comprehensive low vision services for people losing their vision. Over the years, NewView has received numerous awards and recognitions including National Industries for the Blind Employment Growth Award, Oklahoma ABLE Tech Partner of the Year, Oklahoma Attorney General Keith Boyd Employer of the Year Award, American Optometric Association Apollo Award, DHS Aging Services Achievement in Aging Program of the Year, Blue Cross Blue Shield Dr. Rodney L. Huey Memorial Champions of Oklahoma Health Award, Oklahoma State Use Program Organization of the Year Award, and Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits “One Award” Finalist in Self-Sufficiency. Lauren is very active in her community, having served in various capacities over the years in the non-profit and business sectors. She currently serves on the board of National Industries for the Blind and is the current chairperson of VisionServe Alliance, a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life to and for people with vision loss. Lauren is also a member of Leadership Oklahoma City, Class XXVIII and Leadership Oklahoma Class XXVII . She is a member of Rotary Club 29 in Oklahoma City and has been since 2004. WEBSITE nvoklahoma.org HOSTS Steven McCoy Katie Corbett   www.innovatinginclusion.org

    31 min
  3. Ollie Cantos on National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and White Cane Day

    OCT 3

    Ollie Cantos on National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and White Cane Day

    Today we speak to West Covina City Councilman Ollie Cantos as we recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and White Cane Day. Blind since birth and born in Los Angeles to Filipino immigrants, Ollie as a native son of West Covina was raised here since age 4. He defied conventional wisdom of what was then considered possible or practical in light of the relatively limited expectations about persons with disabilities during his formative years. The product of West Covina values — proud, strong, and determined-- he has spent his life, breaking new ground and paving the way for others to follow.  Ollie is the first blind person and individual with a visible disability ever to be elected to the City Council since West Covina's founding in February 1923. Early leadership roles include Student Body Vice President at Hollencrest Junior High in Eighth Grade; Junior Class President and Student Body President at Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente; and Student Senator, Speaker of the Senate, Vice President of Student Services, and Executive Vice President and Chairperson of the Student Senate at Loyola Marymount University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. The year he graduated, he received the Stanley Chan Award, the highest honor to be given by the University's Political Science Department. After earning his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and becoming an attorney, he served as Staff Attorney and Director of Outreach and Education at the Disability Rights Legal Center, General Counsel and Director of Programs for the then 70,000-member American Association of People with Disabilities, Special Assistant and later Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, Associate Director for Domestic Policy at the White House under President George W. Bush, and now Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. He has also received presidential appointments from two different Presidents of the United States. His work at the Federal Government level has spanned across both Republican and Democratic administrations since 2004. In addition to his ongoing Federal Government responsibilities, Ollie is Attorney Mentor with the American Bar Association's Commission on Disability Rights, Member of the Kiwanis Club of West Covina, and Chairman of the Board at RespectAbility, a multi-million-dollar national nonpartisan non-profit cross-disability organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities on behalf of this nation's more than 61 million Americans with disabilities. Prior leadership posts include Member and Vice Chair of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities,  Legal Officer for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Vice President of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Member of the Board of Directors of the Loyola Marymount University National Alumni Association, and Member of the Board of Governors of the Loyola Law School Alumni Association.  Among others, he was also on the boards of the ENDependence Center  of Northern Virginia and Community Lodgings. But Ollie is most grateful for his adoption of three blind triplet boys – Leo, Nick, and Steven.  Their compelling story has been told by National Public Radio, PEOPLE Magazine, The Washingtonian Magazine, USA Today, and videos that went viral on www.innovatinginclusion.org

    43 min
  4. Saran Tugsjargal - Policy Maker, Advocate, Mongolian-American, and a College Freshman

    AUG 26

    Saran Tugsjargal - Policy Maker, Advocate, Mongolian-American, and a College Freshman

    Our Superstar Guest, Saran Tugsjargal is a student with ASD, SLD, ADHD starting her freshman year at Rice University. She is an advocate for equitable education with a goal is to prove that disabilities don't hinder leadership. Collaborating with ACLC's special education department, she amplifies disabled student experiences. Initiating the Mongolian American Disability Mentorship program in Summer 2023, she mentored over 50+ families. In October 2023, she became one of California's first student commissioners with disabilities, representing over 800,000 students. Speaking at conferences like Breaking Barriers and CarsPlus, she's influenced over 400+ educators. Notably, she championed bill AB2173, changing "emotional disturbance" to "emotional disability." Recognized with awards like the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and the Ronald Reagan Leadership Medal, she's celebrated for her exceptional leadership and advocacy. LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/saran-tugsjargal/ email: sara.tugsjargal@gmail.com Our Host Dennis Tran is a social impact storyteller, DEIA speaker, and consultant committed to fostering a neuroinclusive and accessible world. As a queer, partially blind, late-identified autistic-ADHDer (AuDHD) Vietnamese American with C-PTSD and glaucoma, Dennis channels his lived experiences to support others navigating similar challenges. Holding a degree in Public Health Policy with a Business Management minor from UC Irvine, Dennis has successfully built a multi-faceted career across sectors, including digital media, technology, healthcare, entertainment, and philanthropy. Through storytelling, cultural and disability inclusion consultation, and accessibility advising, Dennis empowers neurodivergent and disabled individuals to live fulfilling lives. His advocacy work emphasizes the transformative power of representation and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where individuals don’t have to hide or “overcome” who they are. Dennis is passionate about uplifting the AANHPI community, addressing cultural stigma, and bridging intergenerational gaps. Dennis has spoken at UCSF, CSUF, Autodesk, Steelcase, and Heap, sharing insights on neurodiversity, anti-ableism, and DEIA best practices. He is one of the co-hosts and co-producers of the Innovating Inclusion podcast. His work is driven by the belief that disability and neurodiversity are not a limitation but a source of resilience and creativity. CONTACT DENNIS www.innovatinginclusion.org

    25 min
  5. Paul Grossman & Jessie Weber - Recognizing The ADA at 35 Years and Unpacking 504

    JUL 26

    Paul Grossman & Jessie Weber - Recognizing The ADA at 35 Years and Unpacking 504

    A special edition of the Innovating Inclusion podcast where Civil Rights Attorneys Jessie Weber and Paul Grossman unpack the ADA and Section 504, Title II, and tell us how it all relates to Roy Payan, Portia Mason, and the National Federation of the Blind in their case against the Los Angeles Community College District. BIOS For over 30 years, PAUL GROSSMAN served as the Chief Regional Attorney for the US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in San Francisco. In Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, Paul has worked on every type of education discrimination matter under Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA, including securing equal access and academic accommodations for students with disabilities in higher education. For nearly 20 years, Paul also had lead responsibility for internal disability law training for OCR and continues to provide training services for OCR. For over 20 years, Paul was an Adjunct Professor of Disability Law at Hasting College of Law, University of California, one of many law schools that use the textbook he publishes with Distinguished Professor, Ruth Colker. Paul is a much sought-after keynote speaker at education and law conferences, including the University of California, Berkeley School of Law; Harvard Graduate School of Education; the Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and its regional chapters; the National Association of ADA Coordinators (NAADAC); and Children and Adults with AD/HD (CHADD). Paul also provides consulting services to institutions of higher education (Grossman and Vance, Beyond the ADA). For five years, Paul was also a member of the Board of Directors for AHEAD and remains a member of the Public Policy Committees of CHADD and AHEAD as well as a faculty member for NAADAC. Paul is an individual with several disabilities including dyslexia and diabetes. JESSIE WEBER enjoys helping clients navigate a diverse range of difficult legal issues, with a focus on civil rights, including disability and LGBTQ rights, employment law, including wage and hour cases, and appellate litigation. Jessie’s successes include obtaining a $1.25 million settlement for a class of Baltimore City school bus drivers and attendants wrongly denied their full pay, securing an injunction requiring the Maryland Board of Elections to make absentee voting accessible to voters with print disabilities, and winning an arbitration award of more than $250,000 on behalf of an African-American former Hooters server who was fired from her job because of Hooters’ racially discriminatory image policy. Jessie is an experienced appellate litigator. She has argued before the Fourth, Sixth, Ninth, and D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeals and has also submitted briefs in the United States Supreme Court, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and in state appellate courts in Maryland and Washington State. She is known for her groundbreaking work obtaining equal access for individuals with disabilities to voting, websites, and government information and services. Jessie is well versed in both complex litigation and negotiations and enjoys using a range of tools to obtain justice for her clients. www.innovatinginclusion.org

    34 min
  6. Avery Roberts & Kelly Berger - Striving for Rare Inclusion

    JUL 22

    Avery Roberts & Kelly Berger - Striving for Rare Inclusion

    Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD) affected individuals, Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts are making their voices heard as they speak with Katie Corbett and Mandeep Ladhar. Together they hope to tackle misconceptions surrounding disability and give a loud voice to the, often forgotten, rare disease community. CMD is a rare genetic muscle disorder causing them to break down faster than they can repair or grow, which leaves Berger and Roberts as wheelchair users relying on them as their main source of mobility and independence. The duo got together in New York City, something that’s few and far between considering there’s a good 10-hour distance between the two. Berger resides in Ohio, while Roberts is just outside the NYC area. While together, it was pertinent that they shot some powerful photographs as they navigated the city in their power wheelchairs, illustrating that mobility doesn’t halt their existence in the outside world. Lack of accessibility isn’t a deterrent for either Berger or Roberts to be active participants in today’s society. Curbs, stairs, and/or other barriers aren't stopping them from pursuing an active and social lifestyle. “We are here, we are exhausted of being excluded and it’s our time to shine, no matter what obstacles we have to overcome,” Berger says. When the friends aren’t turning heads with their power wheelchairs around the city, they support other young adults in the rare neuromuscular disease space. Both Berger and Roberts work remotely as a part of the Community Outreach Team for the non-profit organization, Cure CMD. They host a bi-monthly virtual Zoom Webinar Series together providing educational content and offering a unique angle as they are both affected by the same CMD subtype, Collagen VI. Today, more than 90% of rare diseases have no FDA-approved treatment or cure, including CMD. It’s the conversations surrounding rare and advancing steps toward potential future progress that keep Berger and Roberts hopeful. The two are continuing their advocacy efforts into 2025 where they plan to advocate for rare on Capitol Hill during Rare Disease Week and virtually attend Rare Across America this summer. LINKS Avery’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avery.nicole916/ Avery’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyroberts916 Kelly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekellyberger/ Kelly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekellyberger/ www.innovatinginclusion.org

    25 min
  7. Diego Mariscal - Using Your Disability to Find Entrepreneurial Success

    JUN 26

    Diego Mariscal - Using Your Disability to Find Entrepreneurial Success

    Diego Mariscal, Founder and CEO of 2Gether-International, discusses his trailblazing efforts to help 5000 disabled entrepreneurs by the year 2030. A compelling conversation you cannot miss. BIO DIEGO MARISCAL is Disabled and Proud! A trailblazer at the intersection of disability advocacy and entrepreneurship, Diego is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether-International, a 501c3 nonprofit and the leading startup accelerator run by and for disabled entrepreneurs. He has dedicated his career to creating a sustainable impact through business ventures led by and for Disabled Founders and currently serves on the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission's Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, among many other boards. Since his teenage years, Diego has been a catalyst for change. At just 18, he founded "Limitless Prepa Tec," an educational program that tackles disability awareness in his hometown of Monterrey, Mexico. Over four years, Limitless expanded to more than seven high schools and educated over 3,000 students, solidifying its reputation as one of Monterrey's largest youth-led initiatives. In 2012, Diego took his advocacy to the next level with the establishment of 2Gether-International (2GI), a nonprofit accelerator empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities. Under his leadership, 2GI has supported more than 700 startups, helping them secure approximately $84 million in outside investments, acquisitions, and revenue. His role has positioned 2GI as a leading resource for disabled entrepreneurs and has also enabled strategic collaborations with international organizations such as the U.S. Department of State, Organization of American States, and Inter-American Development Bank, as well as corporate partnerships with Comcast NBCUniversal, JPMorganChase and others. Diego’s work has garnered international acclaim, earning him accolades like the Architect of the Future Award from the Waldzell Institute in Vienna and the Global Changemaker title from the British Council. His influence has been recognized by multiple international bodies; he was a Youth in International Development and Affairs Fellow for the U.S. International Council on Disabilities in 2014, and in 2016, he attended the inaugural United Nations World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul. In 2017, Diego marked another milestone by becoming the first entrepreneur with a disability to represent the U.S. delegation at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India. That same year, he received the Global Leadership in Equitable Development Award at the World Trade Credit & Risk Summit in Washington, DC. Recently, in 2022 and 2023, Diego engaged in high-level dialogues on disability and entrepreneurship with President Clinton and President Biden. He was featured as a panelist in a discussion moderated by Hillary Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative University annual meeting. Additionally, Diego was appointed to the Advisory Board of the 2024 SXSW Pitch and took part as a panelist at the 2025 SXSW. Born with Cerebral Palsy in New Orleans but raised in Monterrey, Diego is not just an advocate but also an athlete, representing the state of Nuevo León in the Mexican National Paralympics from 2004-2009. LINKS https://www.2gether-international.org/ 2gi.org www.innovatinginclusion.org

    35 min
  8. Building on Mister Rogers' Legacy on Inclusion with Jay Manuel and Kristin DiQuollo

    MAY 20

    Building on Mister Rogers' Legacy on Inclusion with Jay Manuel and Kristin DiQuollo

    Voice actor JAY MANUEL and Co-Executive Producer KRISTIN DiQULLO introduce Jeff Mouse on the PBS Kids series, Donkey Hodie.  An intrepid explorer and avid nature lover, Jeff Mouse was born with congenital muscular dystrophy, which limits his physical abilities, but not his can-do attitude! He was created in honor of Jeff Erlanger, a young guest who appeared in an unforgettable episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and sang a moving duet of Fred’s song, “It’s You I Like,” with the famous show host.  To portray Jeff Mouse authentically, Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures engaged Disability Belongs, the national disability-led nonprofit that works to empower people with disabilities to have a better future, to advise on the development of the character and Permobil, a global leader in power and manual wheelchair solutions, to help create Jeff’s chair.   With the introduction of this endearing new character, Donkey Hodie is helping to further Fred Rogers’ legacy for today’s preschoolers of inclusion and kindness. + + + + + JAY MANUEL is a music producer and content creator based in Georgia. Despite facing challenges such as being hard of hearing and living with a rare brittle bone condition known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3, as well as Autism, Jay has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and representing young professionals with disabilities in the music industry. As a full-time content creator, Jay produces engaging content that showcases his unique perspective and personality. He has collaborated with top companies like Coca-Cola and Snapchat and has produced songs for both independent and label artists such as Yung Bleu, Fred the Godson, Boldy James, DJ Luke Nasty, and many others. Jay is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy and mentors up-and-coming music producers while continuing to create content that positively impacts his community. As Co-Executive Producer of Donkey Hodie, KRISTIN DiQUOLLO provides leadership and creative vision to Fred Rogers Productions' and Spiffy Pictures' puppet series for preschoolers. which is inspired by characters from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.  Prior to joining the company, she led production of broadcast and digital content for the PBS Kids series, Cyberchase as executive producer and story editor of WNET New York, helping to spearhead its expansion on digital platforms, including strategies for accessibility, as well as its evolution as a series focusing on math and environmental themes for 6-8-year-olds A nominee for multiple Daytime Emmy awards, and a winner for Cousin Hodie Playdate, Kristin was honored with Parents' Choice and Kidscreen awards and oversaw Cyberchase's national family and educator engagement efforts, broadening the series' reach to new public media audiences. Experienced in using research to inform development and design of content, she has worked on several projects that investigate learning outcomes from educational media. Kristin previously worked in educational outreach and marketing for the IMAX Corporation and as an associate editor and projects coordinator for Merlyn's Pen, a magazine and website showcasing the works of teenage writers.  She received ther B.A. in Englihs from Providence College. HOSTS Steven McCoy Angie Castro WEBSITES PBS Kids Disability Belongs This episode co-produced by Steven McCoy with Alison Grand and Christina Gorski. Our producer is Akira Nakano. www.innovatinginclusion.org

    30 min
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About

Talking disability inclusion, universal design, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Join hosts Katie Corbett, Steven McCoy, and Dennis Tran with Co-Hosts Angie Castro, Mandeep Ladhar, Lee Fox Beauregard, and Akira Nakano, as they talk to the change makers of today for a better tomorrow.

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  • Creator
    Fox Family Foundation - Innovating Inclusion
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
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  • Copyright
    © 2025 Innovating Inclusion
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    Innovating Inclusion