In the past decade spending on children with special educational needs and disabilities in England has almost doubled. Yet even as costs have soared, no one thinks the system is working https://t.co/MfyYyRBQrG ...

In the past decade spending on children with special educational needs and disabilities in England has almost doubled. Yet even as costs have soared, no one thinks the system is working https://t.co/G2cRbAo5dSPhoto: Alamy https://t.co/Wn5lGxPIX4 ...

Core Message - The speech advocates for destigmatizing disabilities through education and awareness, inspired by personal experiences with the speaker's sister [4][5][9] - The speaker emphasizes that disabilities are a normal part of society and should be recognized as such to remove the associated stigma [11][13][14] Personal Journey & Motivation - The speaker's involvement in pageants from a young age provided a platform to advocate for disability awareness [1][2][3][11] - The birth of the speaker's sister with spina bifida significantly impacted the family, leading to a desire to create a more inclusive and understanding environment [4][5][6] Initiative & Future Goals - The "Just Say Hi" initiative aims to destigmatize disabilities through education and awareness, encouraging open conversations and understanding [9][10] - The speaker plans to develop "Just Say Hi" into a nonprofit organization to provide financial assistance to families of children with disabilities for home accessibility modifications [12] Redefining Pageants - The speech challenges the stigma surrounding pageants, portraying them as platforms for empowering young women to speak out on important issues [13] - Pageants are presented as a means of personal development, providing a voice and the power to advocate for others [13]

Autism Awareness & Advocacy - The speaker's curiosity about autism led to a calling to understand how individuals with autism perceive the world [4] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of believing in the potential of individuals with autism, rather than focusing on deficits [7] - The speaker highlights the need for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and patience when working with individuals with autism and their families [11] - The speaker underscores the significance of empowering and educating families to enable them to support their children with autism effectively [16] Program & Organizational Development - The speaker initiated a Saturday social skills training program to address the lack of socialization opportunities for children with autism [13] - The speaker's organization adopted a holistic approach, incorporating academics, life skills, and theater to support the development of individuals with autism [18] - The organization developed vocational training programs based on person-centered planning and community collaboration [20] - The organization's credibility and community support enabled it to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic [22] Personal Journey & Resilience - The speaker's personal experience with a partial facial paralytic attack provided a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families [24][25][26][27][28] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-belief, self-awareness, and trust in others in overcoming personal challenges [30]

Accessibility & Inclusion - Companies and individuals are expanding access to sports, exercise, and adventure for people with disabilities [1] - This includes advancements in AI-driven prosthetics and accessible playgrounds [1]

Accessibility & Inclusion - Companies and individuals are expanding access to sports, exercise, and adventure for people with disabilities [1] - AI-driven prosthetics are contributing to increased accessibility [1] - Traditional playgrounds are also playing a role in promoting inclusivity [1]

Inclusion in Space Exploration - The space industry has historically selected astronauts primarily from fighter pilots, scientists, and sportsmen [1] - Analog missions on Earth simulate space conditions to train astronauts for scenarios like isolation, delayed communication, and lack of immediate medical support [3][4] - Including individuals with disabilities in analog missions strengthens crew dynamics and preparedness for unforeseen circumstances [8][9] - Inclusion is not merely a matter of capacity or charity, but a necessity for realistic space exploration training [10] Health and Accessibility - Common medical issues encountered by astronauts in space include bone loss, muscle atrophy, and vision impairments [6] - Lunaris research station, an analog space habitat, was created to be accessible for people with disabilities to study the impact of diverse abilities on space mission operations [7] - The participation of a wheelchair user in a simulated moon habitat demonstrates that space is for everyone [2] Future of Space Exploration - Opening space exploration to individuals with diverse abilities, minds, and talents makes space exploration more inclusive and better prepared for real-world challenges [9] - The industry should aim for a future where space exploration includes everyone, regardless of physical appearance, focusing on the persistence of mind and spirit and team trust [11][10]

Inclusion & Accessibility - The industry is recognizing and supporting individuals with disabilities in the entertainment sector [1] - Companies are creating opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in and develop careers in movies, music, and related fields [1]