324. What We Wish We’d Known About Inclusion

 

In this episode of The Lucky Few Podcast, we continue our What I Wish I’d Known series by talking about inclusion — and being honest about how it actually feels.

When we hear the word inclusion, we don’t immediately feel hopeful. We feel heaviness. Process. Fight. Sometimes discouragement.

We talk about why inclusion so often becomes a disability service instead of a true community responsibility. We wrestle with school settings, adult programs, housing, and the limited options available once our kids grow up. We name the exhaustion of always being the one advocating — and the toll it takes on our kids to keep showing up in spaces not built for them.

At the center of this conversation is this truth:

The existence of a person with Down syndrome in the world is their resistance.

Our kids take up space. They walk into rooms. They show up in communities that weren’t designed for them. That matters.

Inclusion isn’t a program to be applauded. It’s a cultural shift. And while we may feel weary some days, we still believe our kids belong — not as a service, but as neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

We see you doing the work. Take a breath if you need to. And keep going.

Show Notes

For more thoughtful work on disability, community living, and person-centered inclusion, visit Open Future Learning: ⁠https://www.openfuturelearning.org/⁠**

Interested in diving deeper?

We’ve talked about inclusion before — especially in the context of school, IEPs, and advocacy. If you want to explore more episodes with an emphasis on inclusion in education and collaboration, start here:

For more practical guidance, we’ve learned a lot from Ashley Barlow and her work at Ashley Barlow Co..

She offers clear, actionable resources to help you navigate IEPs, strengthen your advocacy skills, and understand your rights—all in one place.

Learn more

SHOW NOTES:

Check out more IEP Episodes:

  1. 78. Building Trust (Not Barriers) w/Your Child’s IEP Team – IEP advocacy tips.

  2. 94. IEPs during COVID-19, ft. IEP Lawyers Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie – IEPs & distance learning.

  3. 272. What Do We Wish We Knew Before Our First IEP Meeting? – Reflections on early IEPs.

  4. 270. IEP Success: How to Plan, Communicate, and Collaborate (w/April Rehrig) – Practical IEP strategies.

  5. 273. Breaking Down Barriers: The Parent’s Role In IEP Success (w/Ashley Barlow) – Parent advocacy in IEPs.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Education, independence, inclusionComment