How Race and Disability Shape Inclusive Education

Dr. Zerek Mayes — Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at a private school in Chicago, Illinois.

Dena Slanda — Faculty at the University of Central Florida, working on teacher preparation grants through the Office of Special Education Programs.

Lindsey Pike — Doctoral candidate at the University of Central Florida in Exceptional Education, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion at the intersection of disability and other markers of difference.

Eric Wells — Director of IDEA Programs at the Oregon Department of Education.

In this bonus episode recorded live at the Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Orlando, Tim Villegas sits down with four equity advocates to unpack the intersection of race and disability in education. The conversation explores why current systems often fail students from racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds—and what educators can do to change that. From grassroots action to systemic reform, this episode is a call to reflect, act, and lead for equity.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/the-intersection-of-race-and-disability-pop-up-podcast-cec2022/