Best OCALIs Podcasts (2026)

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Everyone’s Game: Rethinking Accessibility in Sports Venues 30:37

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5d ago30:37

30:37

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 President of Facilities and Operations of the Cincinnati Reds and Mackenzie Williams, Director of Event Serv…

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This Music Will Continue to Play: A Conversation with Autism Center Program Director Amy Bixler Coffin 27:22

9M ago27:22

27:22

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 and 35-year career in education. We share a lot of laughs, a few tears, but mostly we commemorate and cel…

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We Know What Works: Jim Taylor on Learning Styles, Community, Football, and 45+ Years in the Field of Autism 19:29

11M ago19:29

19:29

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 the field of autism, Jim shares his insights on learning, reflection, and fostering community. A regular attendee of…

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It’s Not a Celebration of Ohio if All Ohioans Can’t Come: Building a More Inclusive Fair Experience 24:08

1+ y ago24:08

24:08

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 an…

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Making Change In The World. And Out of It. Dr. Sheri Wells-Jensen on Disability in Space 28:00

2y ago28:00

28:00

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 bette…

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Grace and Grit: A Conversation with Judy Heumann, Temple Grandin, and Haben Girma 49:00

2+ y ago49:00

49:00

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 i…

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Small Gestures and True Wins: The A + B = C Equation 12:00

3y ago12:00

12:00

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

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There Is Strength In Every Community: A Conversation about Special Education in Rural and Urban Settings 30:00

3y ago30:00

30:00

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.…

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It’s Really About Living Your Moments Well With Other People 46:00

3+ y ago46:00

46:00

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, an…

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“We Get Stuff Done": A Conversation about Women and Autism 45:45

4y ago45:45

45:45

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 specia…

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”May the Power Be With You”: The Margaret Burley Family Impact Award 29:17

4+ y ago29:17

29:17

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,…

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“Those Children Are Going to Be Very Different”: The Ongoing Work of Building A Diverse and Inclusive Society 21:45

4+ y ago21:45

21:45

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 discriminatio…

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Belonging Series: Contributing To A Vibrant Community 32:25

4+ y ago32:25

32:25

The words “providing opportunities and promoting independence” guide the efforts of two social purpose enterprises to empower people with disabilities in their community. Mitsi and Temple from Art & Clay on Main and Square 7 Coffee House share how their social purpose enterprises contribute to “bringing about a vibrant community where people lead f…

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Belonging Series: Vision For A Good Life 36:00

4+ y ago36:00

36:00

Discover how families and professionals can support the people they care for with creating a vision for a good life. “All people have the right to live, love, work, play, and pursue their life aspirations…." Celia and LaDonna share more through their personal and professional experiences with supporting others with living their best lives, and how …

1
Belonging Series: Follow Your Heart 34:21

4+ y ago34:21

34:21

“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, and resources, including a few from OCALI, to support her son with living his best life. A life where he is…

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The Smell of the Room is a Fire in My Nose: A Conversation on Autism and Trauma 37:16

4+ y ago37:16

37:16

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.…

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Interview with Starr 32:49

5y ago32:49

32:49

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. She also offers tips and ideas to support others, including exploring resources from The Arc, Vote for Acces…

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Baked Into the Process: Advancing Equitable Outcomes Through the Lens of Social Justice 22:25

5y ago22:25

22:25

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 unwa…

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Maintaining A Strong, Healthy Foundation 38:37

5y ago38:37

38:37

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 parents of young adults with disabilities and offer some simple tips and ideas to support others with their…

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Inclusion is the Future: A Conversation with Dani Bowman 31:50

5y ago31:50

31:50

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…

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“We Are All Able”: A Conversation with LeDerick Horne on Vision, Inclusion, and Belonging 25:25

5+ y ago25:25

25:25

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.…

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An Inspiring Conversation with Kevin Miller 11:55

5+ y ago11:55

11:55

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

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Gabby’s Team: A Multiagency Approach to Transition 27:20

5+ y ago27:20

27:20

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.By Simon Buehrer

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“It Gives You Teeth”: Reflections on the 30-Year Anniversary of the ADA 26:40

5+ y ago26:40

26:40

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 g…

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"We Are in This Together, and We Need to Stay Connected" – How Ohio’s Daily COVID-19 Update has Elevated Awareness About the Importance of Access 1:03:35

5+ y ago1:03:35

1:03:35

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.By Simon Buehrer

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An Inspiring Conversation with Kim Clairy and William Miller 11:00

5+ y ago11:00

11:00

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.…

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I Feel Like I’m in School All Over Again: More Tales from Home Schooling During A Global Pandemic 56:36

5+ y ago56:36

56:36

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 fa…

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Pull Out the Christmas Lights and Create a Dance Studio: Direct Care and Residential Programs During a Global Pandemic 35:50

5+ y ago35:50

35:50

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 Heat…

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Episode 8: A Better Me, A Better You: Sharing Your Self-Care Journey 58:37

5+ y ago58:37

58:37

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 were invited to share their self-care journey, each offering a unique perspective on how he or she recogniz…

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Words Matter: How Do You Deliver Special Education Services During a Worldwide Pandemic? 23:30

5+ y ago23:30

23:30

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.By Larry Sexton

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The Crow Master 28:48

6y ago28:48

28:48

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 h…

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Playing Pictionary with Ketchup: A Conversation on Trauma, Connections, and Healing with Sarah Buffie, Soul Bird Consulting 47:00

6y ago47:00

47:00

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 – whi…

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It’s Different for Girls: A Conversation with Four Women on the Spectrum 1:21:48

6y ago1:21:48

1:21:48

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 poet…

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An Inspiring Conversation with Alicia Shoults and Angela Krile of the Ohio State Fair 16:21

6y ago16:21

16:21

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.…

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Shifting Expectations: Reflections on Ohio’s Continued Transition Towards Community Employment and Individual Choice 23:00

6y ago23:00

23:00

“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 o…

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A Day at the Fair: The First Sensory Friendly Morning at the Ohio State Fair 28:00

6y ago28:00

28:00

“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 w…

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Inspiring Change Podcast Teaser 6:44

6y ago6:44

6:44

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.…

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Episode 7: Interview with Maria 15:30

6+ y ago15:30

15:30

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 you, and how enjoying quiet time together has become a weekend ritual to support the health and well-being …

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Episode 6: Interview with Ginny 7:19

6+ y ago7:19

7:19

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, happiness, and ability to conquer the world. Transcript available here: https://drive.google.com/open?id…

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Episode 5 Interview with Michelle 26:48

6+ y ago26:48

26:48

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. Transcript available here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LLSgjUyQC624p8-mD0-hA2nTtfqRGEVkBy Michelle

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Episode 4 Patrick John Hughes and Patrick Henry Hughes 20:52

6+ y ago20:52

20:52

Straight off the stage at OCALICON 2017, our keynote speakers share some additional insight and encouragement for families. For more on their keynote and their lives, check out: http://conference.ocali.org/wednesday-keynote Transcript available here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tZT1z26yQ4X9sCKO4s4weptSzd3yjcEq…

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Episode 3 Interview with Jeff 7:27

6+ y ago7:27

7:27

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. Transcript available here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1v0hOnn3YK6KKNumDfKcvNRILA7WAPRX5By Jeff

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Episode 2 Interview with Julie 14:11

6+ y ago14:11

14:11

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. Transcript available here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1izl-x0v-bhKFXaWPheeDkZa61E5A3ld3By Julie

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Episode 1 Interview with Kelli 32:56

6+ y ago32:56

32:56

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 reads and blogs she follows, and wraps up with some great advice. Transcript available here: https://drive…