From elementary school classrooms to adult care homes, so many of our care structures for disabled people are designed without their participation, often in direct opposition to their stated desires. But why? 

When we pose the question of why people with disabilities are so often excluded from general society, the best answer is often “that’s just how it’s always been.” However, research and the lived experiences of these individuals suggest that creating inclusive environments could have a significant positive impact on our communities.

Lauren Schrero Levy, a disability rights advocate and lawyer, shares with Alida what she has learned since founding the disability advocacy nonprofit The Nora Project and serving as a civil rights lawyer at Equip for Equality. Together, they explore the challenges in our current institutions for people with disabilities and the promise of inclusive spaces.

Discover Lauren’s insights on honoring the dignity of every person:

• The reasons behind society’s segregation of people with disabilities
• The negative impact of remaining uninformed on conversations around inclusivity
• Opposing viewpoints among parents of children with disabilities
• The innate hope and usefulness of interdependence 

Important resources from this episode:

• The Nora Project website - https://thenoraproject.ngo/
• Lauren’s Ted Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/lauren_schrero_ability_inclusive_mindset
• Equip for Equality website - https://www.equipforequality.org/
• On the Inconvenience of Other People by Lauren Berlant - https://bookshop.org/p/books/on-the-inconvenience-of-other-people-lauren-berlant/17477688?ean=9781478018452 

Connect with Lauren Schrero Levy: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-schrero-86411a1/ 

Connect With Alida:

• Share your feedback on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alidamw
• Order Alida’s book “Cultures of Belonging: Building Inclusive Organizations That Last” and gain exclusive access to bonus content! - https://bookshop.org/p/books/cultures-of-belonging-building-inclusive-organizations-that-last-alida-miranda-wolff/17372555?ean=9781400229253
• Learn more about Alida Miranda-Wolff - https://alidamirandawolff.com/

Advocate for underrepresented and underserved groups in organizations with Ethos - https://www.ethostalent.com/