The Power of Self-Advocacy and Inclusion with Katey Fortun - Episode 19

Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron speaks with Katey Fortun, a motivational speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. Katey shares her personal journey of growing up with a learning disability and the importance of self-advocacy. They discuss how learning about oneself fosters empathy and inclusion. Katey emphasizes the value of children’s curiosity in promoting understanding and breaking down barriers. The episode concludes with actionable advice on making the world more inclusive through simple acts of kindness.

Key Takeaways:

Self-advocacy: Learning about yourself is the foundation of advocating for others.

Children's curiosity: Children naturally include others, and their curiosity should be encouraged.

Empathy through struggle: Personal challenges foster deeper empathy and a drive for inclusion.

Simple inclusion acts: A smile, hello, or opening a door can make a big impact.

Accessibility awareness: ADA standards still fall short in making the world fully accessible.

Katey’s definition of inclusion:

My biggest thing for people is to learn to advocate for yourself and build up self confidence. I feel like sometimes when people aren't including it’s because they are having problems themselves. They're hurting and there are things that they need to work on. Advocate, learn about yourself, learn how you do things the best that you can do them, and that opens the door to include others.

Katey’s Bio:

From a struggling student diagnosed with a learning disability, to a college graduate, Interior Designer, multimillion dollar Account Executive, former Lecturer at UW-Stout, Motivational Speaker, podcast host and so much more, Katey Fortun doesn't give up! Katey has had many different career experiences so far in her 30+ years of life and she takes those experiences and shares them with the world in hopes to inspire people all over the world. Speaking is Katey's super power and she has had the pleasure of speaking to so many kids, teens and adults around the world, in person, virtually and on her podcast. It brings her true joy to connect with students and inspire them to know they are amazing just the way they are.

Katey believes that everyone has Different Abilities and it's time to let our Different Abilities shine bright! You are amazing, you are important, you are strong, you are smart and the world needs you just the way you were made!

"You can do anything you put your mind to, with a lot of hard work, determination and never giving up! It's not your disability, it's your Different Ability®!" - Katey

Connect with Katey:

Website: https://kateyfortun.com/

Instagram - Katey: https://www.instagram.com/kateyfortun/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katey-fortun-3126942a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katey.fortun

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kateyfortun

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-different-ability-podcast/id1526381713

Instagram - Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/differentabilitypodcast/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

No

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 8

No - 8

Hasn’t tried it - 1

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