Urban Collaborative

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT!
SPRING URBAN COLLABORATIVE MEETING
Nashville, TN
April 30th-May 2nd
Register NOW! https://na.eventscloud.com/825463

A Seat At The Table: Using Learning Labs to Transform Systems with Collective Agency
Date: April 1, 2025
Time: 12 (PT)/ 3 (ET)
The Learning Lab intervention provides a research-based process to bring together local stakeholders and facilitate authentic participation in problem-solving around a system producing inequitable outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. The Learning Lab also helps schools create and sustain productive partnerships among local stakeholders, which in turn helps renovate school- and classroom-level climate/culture systems. This session will inform participants of the remarkable impact experienced by stakeholders engaged in Learning Labs, discuss the development from research to implementation, and highlight lessons learned.
Register NOW! https://tinyurl.com/yc9c36ey

REGISTER FOR THE URBAN COLLABORATIVE SPRING MEMBER MEETING:
“In the Midst of Every Crisis, Lies Great Opportunity” (Albert Einstein): Leading Through Uncertainty

Members Can Register NOW (https://na.eventscloud.com/825463)
April 30, May 1, May 2
Nashville, Tennessee

*Not a member? Email us at [email protected] to learn more.

Hanging On: A Special Educator's Journey into Inclusive Education

Join this CollabCast where I talk with a former colleague and mentor from New Delhi, India, Kanwal Singh. Kanwal will be talking about the book she published in 2020, Hanging On: A Special Educator's Journey into Inclusive Education.

This book, even though written in the Indian context, is relevant across any context and as we talk today, you will see why. The book presents a compelling argument for transformation within the realm of special education. Bold and unabashedly forthright, the book confronts typically skirted topics, including the tensions between inclusive theory and practice, the stronghold of traditional 'expertise', the creeping in of commercial interests, and educator burnout. Listen here:

Hanging On: A Special Educator's Journey into Inclusive Education | Urban Collaborative CollabCast Join this CollabCast where I talk with a former colleague and mentor from New Delhi, India, Kanwal Singh. Kanwal will be talking about the book she published in 2020, Hanging On: A Special Educator's Journey into Inclusive Education. This book even though written in the Indian context, is relevant a...

Leading Disability Organizations: President Trump’s Blame of Deadly Plane Crash on Disabled Federal Workers Is Baseless, Irresponsible

For Immediate Release: January 30, 2025
Contact: Jess Davidson at [email protected]; 202-975-0960

WASHINGTON D.C. - In remarks today at the White House, President Trump cast potential blame for the tragic and deadly plane crash that occurred last night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on people with disabilities employed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Soon after the President’s comments, multiple news agencies reported that the air traffic control tower was understaffed at the time of the crash. Despite these reports, the White House has continued to double down on their baseless claims.

In response, the American Association of People with Disabilities, American Council of the Blind, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Disability Rights, Education and Defense Fund, United Spinal Association, National Federation of the Blind, and other leading disability rights organizations issued the following statement:

The President’s remarks today suggesting the deadly crash of Flight 5342 may have been the fault of public servants with disabilities are irresponsible, disparaging, and wrong. It is extremely inappropriate for the President to use this tragedy as an opportunity to advance his anti-diversity hiring agenda. The focus of the federal government and the entire nation should be on the emergency response, a thorough investigation, and most of all, supporting the families and communities who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.

People with disabilities proudly serve our nation through government service in every federal department and agency. Disabled employees, like non-disabled employees, are hired because they meet the qualifications needed to do the job. The Federal Aviation Administration has rigorous standards for hiring Air Traffic Controllers and all other FAA employees.

Diversity hiring initiatives seek to expand the pool of potential qualified talent for a role – they do not supersede the qualifications and skills that the role requires. The implication that people are being hired to do a job for which they are unqualified is an unfounded lie that further reinforces harmful stereotypes against disabled people.

“The President is deliberately spreading falsehoods to demonize the quarter of American adults who live with disabilities rather than directing federal resources towards ensuring such a devastating tragedy never happens again. This is part of a broader coordinated attack on civil rights and equal opportunity across government. These attacks do nothing to keep Americans safe and actually threaten our ability to ensure safety by building the strongest possible aviation workforce,” said American Association of People with Disabilities President and CEO Maria Town

Scott Thornhill, the Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind, stated, “The tragic accident that occurred last night near Reagan Washington National Airport is one we all are deeply saddened about. This is not a time for political posturing or speculation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who devastatingly lost their lives. We strongly denounce any insinuation that hiring individuals with disabilities had any part in this horrific event.”

“One of the biggest factors keeping people with disabilities out of the workforce is baseless stigma around our ability to do our jobs. Despite ample data showing the capability and productivity of disabled workers, disclosing a disability still makes job applicants 26% less likely to even get a preliminary interview. Programs like the one President Trump attacked have been part of the federal government’s work to eliminate that stigma. It is deeply disappointing to see our government now deciding instead to make it worse,” said Colin Killick, the Executive Director of Autistic Self Advocacy Network

“The President’s harmful speculation unfairly targets disabled workers and reinforces dangerous and baseless stereotypes,” added Nicole Bohn, Executive Director of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. “Disability is not a liability, and these narratives only serve to fuel discrimination, exclusion, and stigma—particularly for disabled BIPOC workers who already face compounded barriers in employment. Right now, the focus must be on supporting the families and communities affected by this tragedy and ensuring a fact-based investigation—not on scapegoating disabled people who belong in every workplace, including aviation and public safety.”

“The cause of the terrible plane crash at DCA last night remains unknown,” said Marlene Sallo, Executive Director of the National Disability Rights Network. “Now is the time to thoroughly investigate what caused this accident and support the families who lost loved ones. It is not the time to blame or further stigmatize people with disabilities.”

Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, stated, “Blind Americans share in our nation’s mourning for the lives lost in last night’s tragic accident. We are shocked that the President of the United States would reinforce unfounded misconceptions of disability by codifying them in the Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation executive order. We know that people with disabilities are among the best and brightest. We also know that our focus today and in the days to come should be on the lives lost not the misunderstanding of the lives of people with disabilities.”

The National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND), said, “NOND dramatically and strongly disagrees with the statement made by the federal administration that people with disabilities create unsafe conditions for others. The government’s statement is appalling, dehumanizing and blatantly discriminatory. NOND supports DEI which is crucial to promoting the full inclusion of marginalized populations including people with disabilities. Research indicates that with age the incidence of disability and chronic health conditions increases. Disability is not about those of us who are disabled now; it is about our society at large.”

“Blaming people with disabilities for the deadly crash at DCA is both misleading and deeply misguided. Individuals with disabilities are hired under already stringent standards due to existing biases, and when we secure employment, it is because we have clearly demonstrated our ability to perform the job with excellence,” says United Spinal Association President & CEO Vincenzo Piscopo. “As a person with a disability myself, I can say without hesitation that I have proudly and consistently contributed value in every role I have held. To suggest otherwise is not only unfounded but also undermines the contributions of millions of disabled professionals who excel in their fields every day.”

This statement is provided on behalf of the following organizations:
American Association of People with Disabilities, American Council of the Blind, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery, National Disability Rights Network, National Federation of the Blind, National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities, Not Dead Yet, United Spinal Association

DefectCraft: An Interdisciplinary Framework to Analyze and Address the Stratifying Force of Disability | Urban Collaborative CollabCast: Join Dr. Alfredo J. Artiles as he introduces us to the concept of "defectcraft" exploring how ideologies about disability intersect with racial disparities in education, particularly in the overrepresentation of students of color in special education. Listen here: https://collabcast-episode-1-familes-communities-3ef1e43b.simplecast.com/episodes/defectcraft-an-interdisciplinary-framework-to-analyze-and-address-the-stratifying-force-of-disability

The Importance of Collaborative Planning
Join us on CollabCast as we explore the transformative power of collaborative planning with Dr. Bill Henderson and Danielle Merdin. Dr. Henderson shares how he established systems to support collaboration among diverse stakeholders during his tenure as a principal. Danielle, a teacher and instructional coach in the same school, discusses how these systems empowered her as an educator and continue to shape her approach today.
Listen here:
https://collabcast-episode-1-familes-communities-3ef1e43b.simplecast.com/episodes/importance-of-collaborative-planning
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/urban-collaborative-collabcast/id1689783746

Join us for our latest CollabCast with DJ Savarese discussing presumed competence! As one of only two AAC-using autistics to be fully included from kindergarten through college graduation and beyond, DJ will share with us his journey, and how he has been successfully designing and facilitating disability and social justice projects for over a decade.

Presumed Competence: Let's Invite Everyone Into the Field | Urban Collaborative CollabCast Join us for a conversation with DJ Savarese related to Presumed Competence. As one of only two AAC-using autistics to be fully included from kindergarten through college graduation and beyond, DJ will share with us his journey, and how he has been successfully designing and facilitating disability a...

Dawn Pagliaro-Newman discusses how to identify and support students with dyscalculia. From using manipulatives to explicit scaffolding, there are concrete ways to help. Let's ensure all students succeed in math!

Read it here:

Shining a Light on Dyscalculia Here’s how to recognize what might be behind a student’s difficulty with math as well as strategies for teaching them.

Check out the latest episode of CollabCast! Stacey Schultz, President of Educate, LLC, a New York City-based company providing innovation and transformation coaching to educators and co-host of the podcast "Educate U.S.," and her son Lucas will both share their experiences navigating K-12 education and accommodations.

Maneuvering the System: A Student and Parent's Perspective | Urban Collaborative CollabCast Stacey Schultz, President of EducateLLC, a New York City-based company providing innovation and transformation coaching to educators and co-host of the podcast "Educate U.S.," and her son Lucas will both share their experiences navigating K-12 education and accommodations.