REA-L Conversations Podcast

REA-L Conversations is a podcast for families, allies, and advocates who believe in a world where people with intellectual disabilities live full, contributing lives in community. But staying on this path isn’t easy; funding systems pull us in different directions, safety concerns cloud our vision, and ableism shows up in ways that take our breath away.

Through honest discussions, real-life stories, and critical reflection, we unpack what it means to stay true to a vision of inclusion, even when it's isolating or hard.

We tackle big questions:

What gets in the way of hope?
How do we hold the line on inclusion when others choose a different path?
What does it take to build trust and stay in the conversation?

This isn’t a space for easy answers or polished talking points. It’s a space for raw, necessary conversations that push back against dominant culture.

🎧 Tune in and be part of the conversation. Because the path to inclusion is one we walk together.

Contributors

Host

Marta Carlucci

I believe that an inclusive life starts with a clear vision of what is possible and must include high expectations, where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are fully contributing citizens benefiting from all that a life immersed in community has to offer. My commitment to supporting an inclusive life for my daughter and my desire for lifelong learning led me to complete a degree in Community Rehabilitation at the University of Calgary and prior to this a Rehabilitation Assistant Diploma at Capilano University. Most recently I led a systems change project initiated by STEPS Forward, to scale the impact of Inclusive Post-secondary Education and created The Advocacy Guide to Inclusive Post-secondary Education: For Families.
In my personal life I'm immersed in the cohousing lifestyle and enjoys sharing meals and snuggling babies in my intergenerational community.

Guests

Guest

Jocelyne Cutting

My professional background is in both public and private administration. I presently hold the position of President on the Board of Directors of STEPS FORWARD organization, BC-Inclusive Post Secondary Education.

Navigating the challenges of autism, it was very isolating for both our son and myself. Transitioning into adulthood, we could not envision him in the usual shared and grouped service programs. Over the years, I have met amazing people who are strong advocates of inclusive lives for those with developmental disabilities.

Being part of REA-L (Real Equitable Authentic Lives) gives me hope and support to continue working toward a true inclusive and equitable life, for not only my son, but every individual with a developmental disability struggling to live a life without all the conflicting and opposing barriers facing them.

Keep room in your heart for the unimaginable - Mary Oliver

Guest

Mandy Young

Mandy is the mother of a youth with multiple disability related challenges to systemic inclusion. She works extremely hard at keeping person-centred planning front and foremost when helping her child to live their best life, intertwining health, wellbeing, and the opportunities available to all youth as they transition to adulthood.

For the last 9 years Mandy has worked collaboratively with the Faculty of Medicine and UBC Office of Health-Patient & Community Partnership for Education on many patient Partner projects. She now works in the department as the community engagement coordinator.

Her love of teaching and learning drives her to continue working with students and the community.

Mandy is also co-founder and board president of Families Supporting Regular Equitable Authentic Lives (REA-L)