Actually, disability is not something one overcomes. Stories that claim successful people with disabilities overcame their disabilities mislead the public. The barriers exist not in the person, but in the physical, social, and digital environment. People with disabilities and their communities succeed when the community decides to dismantle digital, attitudinal, and physical barriers. My success at school, in the office, and even on the dance floor were facilitated by communities that chose to practice inclusion.

Haben Girma

Equal access, level playing field, dignity, respect for my son and all his community. No separate classrooms separate doors or isolation from others.

Kerima Cevik

There is nothing soft about the bigotry of low expectations.

Henry Frost

Inclusion is about making everything in the community accessible to everyone, disability or no. This means our schools, public buildings, transportation, sidewalks, playgrounds, etc… The environment in its entirety.

Renee Salas

We have no idea what someone is capable of learning unless information is presented in a way that is accessible to them and they have a reliable means to communicate their understanding. Teach them everything.

Lauri Swann Hunt

Inclusion means living in a society that embraces the diversity of human beings. It means inclusion is a way of life and manifests itself in every aspect of our culture, from the schools and education, to the work place and everything in between… It means paradise!

Ariane Zurcher

Our number one issue is still old attitudes towards us, and those old attitudes see us as helpless and unable and disability can make you very strong and very able.

Ed Roberts

Children know through our words and actions what our expectations of them are whether they are disabled or not. Believe in your child.

Tonya Whitlock

All children should grow up feeling loved accepted and whole. Not just at home, but in their schools and communities.

High expectations and access to rich academic content benefits each and every child.Over 30 years of research shows that ALL students do better in inclusive educational settings – both socially and academically.

join Ollibean celebrating & supporting human diversity

The Power of Presuming Competence

"Thasya", a mini film by Dan Habib, highlights the power of presuming competence, differentiated instruction and augmentative and alternative communication. Inclusion works.

Transforming Education to Benefit ALL Students

As part of a 5-year, $24.5 million grant awarded by the U.S. DOE , the SWIFT Center was founded to assist districts and their schools to engage in a transformational process, in order to achieve equity and excellence for all students. Research has demonstrated that inclusive education significantly improves academic and behavior outcomes for all children.

Deaf Parent Advocates for Communication Supports She Received from Same School 40 Years Ago

Deaf mother goes before Hillsborough County School District Board to advocate for son's necessary services. The 8th largest school district in the country has an operating budget of $ 3 billion. Despite being notified in advance of her attendance, the district was unable to provide any access .

Ollibean Inclusive Baseball Camp August 5-16

Hope you can join us for our 2nd Annual Ollibean Inclusive Baseball Camp at Palma Ceia Little League. 2 sessions August 5- 9, and August 12-16.

Ollibean Spotlight: Renee Salas

" Talk to people with disabilities. As many as you can: Adults, adolescents, kids. These people are the real experts on disabilities. These are the people that can tell you what life with a disability is like." Renee Salas

Believing in Your Child and Why It Matters

"No one affects a child's day, dreams and future like a mother. Of course we are never perfect, but perfect is never the goal." Tonya Whitlock

Ollibean Mama Spotlight : Ariane Zurcher

"It means living in a society that embraces the diversity of human beings. It means inclusion is a way of life and manifests itself in every aspect of our culture, from the schools and education, to the work place and everything in between… It means paradise!" Ariane Zurcher