Inclusion

Inclusion has become a trendy term when it comes to creating an equitable environment for all people. Yet, how often are our inclusion practices translating to the feeling of being included? We often think of inclusion as a goal, rather than a verb that has to be practiced every day.

Attendees will learn:

• How to prioritize the lived experience of those with autism & disabilities in creating inclusive practices.

• That being included oftentimes does not equate to one feeling included.

• How to re-humanize the term “inclusion” by engaging in open dialogue within the school environment.

Russell Lehmann is an award-winning and internationally recognized motivational speaker and poet contextualizing autism and mental health.

A graduate of MIT’s “Leadership in the Digital Age” course, Russell showed signs of autism as a newborn, however, he was not formally diagnosed until the age of 12 after suffering through 5 weeks in a lockdown psychiatric facility.

Russell currently travels the world spreading hope, awareness, and compassion in a raw and dynamic fashion, while also setting his sights on erasing the stigma and stereotypes that come with having a disability. Russell’s passion is to be a voice for the unheard, for he knows how difficult and frustrating it is to go unnoticed.

For more information about Russell and his work, visit his website at www.TheAutisticPoet.com and connect with him on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.