From Summit to Community: The Lasting Impact of Inclusion Seekers

In this episode of Ohio DD Talks, host Shari Cooper sits down with Jan Goings, director of strategy and partnerships of Starfire, and the Cail family—Grace, her father Jeff, and her mother Kathleen—to discuss the inaugural Inclusion Seekers Summit held in October 2025 at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Organized by Starfire with support from the Ohio DD Council and Interact for Health, the Summit drew over 250 attendees from 17 states and 80+ organizations to address loneliness and build genuine belonging in communities across Ohio and beyond.Grace's story is at the heart of this episode. A docent and researcher at the Museum Center, advocate, and passionate fan of Sabrina Carpenter, Grace shares what it meant to be at an event where people asked about her interests, not her disability. Her family reflects on what it truly takes to build a full, connected life.Host: Shari Cooper, Ohio Developmental Disability Council Ambassador Guests: Jan Goings (Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Starfire), Grace Cail, Jeff Cail, Kathleen CailKey TopicsWhat Is the Inclusion Seekers Summit? Jan Goings explains how the Summit grew out of years of community-building work at Starfire. With Ohio DD Council support, they hosted this first large-scale, one-day event to bring a diverse group together around reducing loneliness and building real community connections.Dr. Vivek Murphy and the Epidemic of Loneliness Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murphy delivered the keynote. Jeff Cail shares how Murphy's accessible style and actionable "take five" framework resonated with attendees and inspired real behavior change.Grace's Experience: Being Seen Beyond Disability Grace reflects on meeting people who were curious about her passions—women's rights, history, musical theater, and Sabrina Carpenter—rather than her disability. Her family shares how community connection has grown her confidence and amplified her voice.Storytelling as Community Building The Summit was designed for active participation, not passive listening.  Breakout sessions, shared meals, and real-world stories—like Operation Hello's neighborhood events in Middletown—gave attendees both inspiration and new connections to take home. Reaching Beyond the "Choir" Kathleen highlights why Starfire deliberately invited the general public—not just disability organizations—because Grace's world and the broader community need to intersect around shared interests, not just shared labels.What Comes Next Starfire is exploring smaller regional summits, story hours, and continued trainings to keep the momentum going and help people take bite-sized steps toward connection every day.Why It MattersLoneliness is a public health crisis, and people with developmental disabilities feel it deeply. The Inclusion Seekers Summit is a reminder that the answer isn't more programs: it's community. When people with disabilities are seen as whole people with interests, passions, and gifts, they participate in and shape community. Grace's story shows what's possible when a young woman is surrounded by people who value her voice.Resources and LinksStarfire WebsiteOhio DD Council WebsiteLearn more about the Inclusion Seekers SummitLearn about the ODDC Community Ambassador ProgramThanks for listening—don't forget to subscribe and share this episode!