OCALI’s Inspiring Change

"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 welcomed, heard, accepted, and loved.

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 The Arc and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) REV UP Campaign.

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 own self-care practices.

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 recognizes and approaches self-care. By sharing these stories, experiences, and perspectives, we hope you are inspired to take the first step to start a new habit or the next step as you continue on your own self-care journey.

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 of her family.

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.

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.

Straight off the stage at OCALICON 2017, our keynote speakers share some additional insight and encouragement for families.

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.

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.

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.

OCALI's original podcast – From My Perspective – is moving. But don't worry – it's not going far! All 13 episodes are now available under the Inspiring Change banner. Jen Bavry and Simon Buehrer chat about this exciting new chapter in the Inspiring Change audio journey.Inspiring Change Podcast

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, hosts Megan Trowbridge and Simon Buehrer welcome singer-songwriter and student Jalyn Short for a heartfelt conversation about sibling connection, communication, and creativity.Jalyn shares her experience growing up with her sister Carlin, who is nonspeaking and on the autism spectrum, reflecting on how their relationship has shaped her understanding of patience, advocacy, and empathy. She also highlights the vital role her parents played in supporting both daughters; creating an environment of openness, balance, and opportunity that allowed each of them to grow and thrive. Through storytelling and music, Jalyn illustrates how meaningful connection can exist beyond words through touch, shared experiences, and deep understanding. The episode features a performance of her original song, “No Single Word,” a tribute to her sister and their bond, offering a powerful reminder that communication takes many forms and that connection is felt just as much as it is spoken.Resources: Jalyn Short Music:  (stream her music on all streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music) and follow her on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.OCALI Family Resource HubCheck out these books about siblings from the OCALI Lending Library:The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Brothers and Sisters of Adults With DisabilitiesSibling Stories: Reflections On Life With A Brother Or Sister On The Autism SpectrumEverybody is Different: A Book for Young People Who Have Brothers or Sisters with Autism