Author: Jill Wagoner
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Amplifying the Voice That Matters Most
Disability Pride Month is a timely opportunity for a conversation about empowering students with intellectual disabilities and communication challenges to make their own decisions. Early engagement in self-advocacy and autonomy builds the foundation for independence in adulthood. In July I had the honor of authoring an article in The ASHA Leader Magazine’s Disability Advocacy &…
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When college is the dream
When I say college, you might think about pulling all-nighters, studying on the quad, eating cold pizza for breakfast, football games, parties, or Greek life. For most people, you may not see a person with an intellectual disability in that vision. That’s probably because the reality is only 2% of people with intellectual disabilities (ID),…
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The power of choice: A focus on allyship on World Down Syndrome Day
On World Down Syndrome Day 2025, the powerful CoorDown campaign ‘No Decision Without Us,’ challenges us to reexamine what true allyship means—moving beyond awareness to ensuring people with Down syndrome have an equal voice in decisions that affect not only their lives but our communities as a whole.
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Spread the Word to End the Word: Why are we still having this conversation in 2025?
It’s March 5 and we mark another year of the Spread the Word campaign, I find myself asking a question that weighs heavily on my heart: why, after all this time, are we still having this conversation?
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Building Bridges: How Service Dogs Foster Social Connection and Inclusion
Research and experience have shown that service dogs can enhance social connection in numerous ways.
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Graduation Day: A New Chapter Begins
The anticipation of graduation day felt like forever and overnight all at once. The ceremony marked not just an ending, but a beautiful beginning filled with tears, laughter, and profound gratitude. Twenty-eight puppy raisers bid farewell to their furry friends entering team training, while 11 others reunited with our class’s dogs to celebrate their transition…
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The home stretch: Growing together in week two
The second week has flown by in a whirlwind of practice, growth, and deepening connections. While week one focused on fundamentals, this week has been about putting those skills into action. Each team has found their rhythm, with handlers growing more confident in problem-solving and dogs responding with increasing trust and understanding.
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Weekend tails: Rest, play, and deeper connections
Our weekend brought a change of pace with a half-day of training followed by some much-needed downtime. After an intense week of learning and growing together, this break gave everyone – recipients, families, dogs, trainers, and staff – a chance to catch their breath and deepen our connections.
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Paws and progress: Our first public outing
Today marked an exciting milestone in our training journey – our first field trip!! It’s one thing to practice commands in the training center, but seeing these incredible dogs navigate a real-world setting brings everything into sharper focus.
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Building bonds: Our first full day together
Today marked a significant milestone – our first full day with our service dog. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement, nerves, and determination as each team began forging their new partnership.
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A doggone perfect match: Pre-match day
There’s something magical about pre-match day at Canine Companions. It’s a moment when years of anticipation culminates in meeting the dog who will become an integral part of your family’s story.
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A Journey in the Making: Day 1 at Canine Companions
Today marks the beginning of a journey we’ve been anticipating for three and a half years. As I sit here reflecting on our first day at Canine Companions, I’m struck by how quickly this experience has already exceeded our expectations.
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The Uptick in the Use of the ‘R-Word’: Steps Toward Inclusive Language
National disability advocacy organizations and public media outlets have been addressing the recent uptick in the use of the “R-word” in public dialogue.
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Reflections on Gratitude and Growth
In this time of giving and gratitude, I’m reflecting on my first year of business under the inclusion AMPLIFIED brand. I’ve been in the field of communication for almost 25 years and doing the work of inclusion for 15, but this formal endeavor is relatively new.
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The Power of Grace in the Work of Inclusion
The journey of inclusion is a struggle. It’s hard and messy for the student, the family, educators, and everyone involved. It’s right and beautiful, with many rewards, but it’s not easy.
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How Do We Raise a Generation of Inclusive People?
Allowing space for siblings or individuals to share their stories brings greater awareness that can decrease bullying and discrimination, promoting kindness and respect among peers. This type of discussion helps students learn about diverse abilities and encourages teamwork and collaboration as they appreciate different strengths.
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Embracing Inclusion: Highlighting the Role of Allies During Down Syndrome Awareness Month
I am reflecting on what I want people to know about Down syndrome and inclusion during Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I could go on, but today what weighs on my heart is this: What is our role as allies in the work of disability inclusion and to people with Down syndrome?
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Letting Go of Assumptions to Embrace All That’s Possible
Sometimes, the biggest shifts happen when we move beyond our assumptions and embrace what’s possible. By letting go of preconceived notions, we open ourselves to experiences we never imagined.
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As We Embark on a New School Year, Channel Your Inner Lasso
Many of us fondly remember the lessons from that fictional coach who championed positivity and teamwork. His take on a common mantra in the disability community—presume competence—resonates deeply.
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Inclusion in Action: Key Takeaways from the MCIE Summer Institute
This summer, I had the privilege of joining 200 educators, thought leaders, service providers, and inclusion advocates at the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education 2024 Summer Institute. We spent two days learning, listening, sharing, and reenergizing each other about the future of inclusive education.
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Disability Pride Month: Celebrating Progress and Overcoming Challenges
Disability Pride Month, celebrated every July, shines a light on the remarkable contributions of the disabled community and commemorates the Americans with Disabilities Act, enacted on July 26, 1990. This legislation was a pivotal step towards combating discrimination across employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to government services.
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The Impact of School Culture on Disability Inclusion
What differentiates a school where a student with Down syndrome is segregated from one that chooses a student with Down syndrome to address her peers? The answer lies in school culture. While I don’t have firsthand experience with either school, it’s evident that the disparity in experiences reflects differences in school culture regarding disability inclusion.
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What’s In A Name?
The labels we assign to students, teachers, spaces, and resources for specialized instruction carry more weight than is acknowledged.
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Dear General Educator
I’ve spent the past 15 years advocating for my son with Down syndrome. In that time, I’ve encountered a spectrum of general educators. Some were hesitant. Some were fervent champions of inclusion. The majority have approached their role with openness and empathy. They have shown a willingness to stretch beyond their comfort zones.
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The Transformative Power of College for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
On May 1, we celebrate Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Day to raise awareness about postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities. Inclusive postsecondary education—also called inclusive higher education—refers to college and university programs that enroll people with intellectual disabilities.
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Understanding the Journey of Siblings of Children with Disabilities
Navigating the unique dynamics of having a sibling with a disability is a journey marked by profound lessons and hidden challenges. As a sibling to a person with a disability myself and a parent to a child with a disability who has a sibling, I understand the complexities and nuances of this experience. While it…
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You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression
First impressions are undeniably powerful, leaving an indelible mark on our perceptions. When it comes to families of individuals with disabilities seeking inclusion in community programs, the initial response can set the tone for the entire journey.
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The Boy in the Back Pew
For years my son was the boy in the back pew. The one that only fruit chews and endless fidgets and activities would get him through one-fourth of the service. Sunday mornings were often mentally and emotionally exhausting. But the back pew is better than what church life (or lack there of) looks like for…
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A Challenge During Inclusive Schools Week
During #InclusiveSchoolsWeek and the Friday before my son’s transition to high school and triennial IEP meeting, I find myself reflecting on our family’s journey and current position, while contemplating inclusion in the broader world.
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Fostering Authentic Belonging
You’ve nurtured a community of students who see kids with disabilities as one of their own. THAT, my friends, is authentic belonging, and that is what inclusion is. And THIS is how we teach all young people that they have worth. THIS is how we show our neurotypical students how to treat their peers with…
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Setting the Record Straight About the R-word
In the vast landscape of blogs, media outlets, social media, and various other platforms, discussions on the use of the R-word are more commonplace than they once were. Typically surfacing during campaigns against its usage or when a public figure utters the word, it often sparks outcry and debate. The persistence of debate on a…
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More Alike Than Different
The following two articles were published in Salisbury Life Magazine in 2014. More Alike Than Different The mother of a child with Down syndrome hopes society gains a greater respect for people with the genetic disorder while celebrating World Down Syndrome Day World Down Syndrome Day is about celebrating people with Down syndrome as the…
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Children Will Grow As Far As We Expect
The growth and development of a child are dependent on the people, influences, and opportunities that surround them. We know that the foundation for developmental advancement is laid in the first five years and that children grow and develop at a pace during these years unequal to any other time in their lives.
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Boys beat the odds, become best friends
There was a time when doctors questioned whether either of the boys would lead normal lives, much less play basketball. The two boys have beaten the odds and become friends.
inclusion AMPLIFIED 