Episode Five: The Challenge to Change: Learning from Lived Experiences with Disabilities
In this powerful episode of “Together We PLAN,” disability advocates LeDerick Horne and Hazeline Pilgrim delve into the systemic barriers that Black families face in accessing disability services and the importance of cultural shifts in our education and support systems. Along with host Ellen Nalven, they explore the personal and professional experiences that drive their individual advocacy work. The focus is on LeDerick’s career as a spoken word poet, motivational speaker and disability advocate, a journey he embarked on after growing up with a learning disability. LeDerick shares his deeply personal story, reflecting on the challenges he faced growing up with a learning disability and the systemic barriers that hindered his educational progress.
He describes how these experiences fueled his passion for advocacy, leading him to work with diverse groups across the United States to promote inclusive education and equitable access to services. Today he empowers students young adults with disabilities to advocate for themselves, and trains educators to establish more inclusive educational environments and to better understand and support marginalized communities.
Key Takeaways
- Inclusive Education: Schools need to undergo a cultural shift to ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities, are included and supported. This includes better teacher training and collaboration.
- Barriers for Black Families: Black families face significant barriers in accessing disability services, including racial segregation, bureaucratic hurdles, and a lack of culturally relevant support.
- Systemic Change: Programs like the EPIC program and the New Jersey Black I/DD Consortium are working to address these issues by increasing access to information and support for marginalized communities.
- Personal Journey: LeDerick Horne’s experiences as a person with a learning disability shaped his passion for advocacy and his work to support others with disabilities.
- Advocacy and Mentorship: LeDerick emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community in advocating for systemic change and supporting individuals with disabilities.
“The Challenge to Change: Learning from Lived Experiences with Disabilities” is the fifth of nine episodes in Together We PLAN. This podcast series covers a variety of critical issues, including Special Needs Trusts, mental health, housing, guardianship, supported decision-making, and other topics relevant to PLAN|NJ’s mission of life-long advocacy for people with disabilities. Each episode aims to inform and inspire action towards creating a more inclusive and supportive community.
Join us for this and future episodes which aim to advance advocacy for meaningful change in the world of disability support. Please share with friends, loved ones and colleagues! We are on a mission to educate and empower, and your engagement can make a significant impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.
PODCAST EPISODES
Together We Plan Episode Four: Unlocking Supportive Housing: Navigating Resources and Solutions for Individuals with Disabilities
Episode Four: Unlocking Supportive Housing: Navigating Resources and Solutions for Individuals with Disabilities With special guests Diane Riley,...
Together We PLAN – Episode Three. Beyond Guardianship: Exploring Supported Decision Making
Episode Three: Beyond Guardianship: Exploring Supported Decision Making With special guests Nina Weiss, Esq., Joseph B. Young, Esq. and Elizabeth G....
Together We PLAN – Episode Two. Navigating Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: A Guide for Families
Episode Two – Navigating Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: A Guide for Families With special guests Shirley...
Together We PLAN – Episode One. Advocacy in Action: Empowering Families and Individuals with Disabilities
Episode One - Advocacy in Action: Empowering Families and Individuals with Disabilities With special Guest Paul Aronsohn, host Ellen Nalven, co-host...
CIRCLE OF SUPPORT
our story
"A Talk With Families"
The stories of three families with loved ones who have disabilities and who use PLAN|NJ's trust administration and care coordination services are told through interviews conducted in their homes by Executive Director Ellen Nalven.
GET IN TOUCH
Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey PLAN|NJ
PO Box 547
Somerville, NJ 08876-0547
908-575-8300 (Phone)
908-927-9010 (Fax)
info@plannj.org
PROUD MEMBERS OF:
Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities
Association of People Supporting Employment First
Alliance for Pooled Trusts
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Guardianship Association
National PLAN Alliance
Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
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We work hard to provide relevant and current information. If you feel something is missing or needs to be corrected, please contact us via our contact form HERE.
PLAN|NJ = Lifetime Advocacy for People with Disabilities
OUR MISSION
PLAN|NJ’s mission is to help family members of people with disabilities answer the question:
“Who will care for my loved one when I'm gone?”
We coordinate the supports needed by individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, and challenges with mental health, including people with autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, severe mental illness and more.
Spanish Translation
Si usted habla español y quisiera mas información sobre nuestros servicios o si desea una consulta con PLAN\NJ, por favor comuníquese con
Nancy Dilliplane, Director of Trust Services, para asistencia bilingüe: 908-575-8300, extensión 15
nancy.dilliplane@plannj.org
