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 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.

Guest

Heather

Heather Carley is a parent to 4 neurodiverse humans in Sidney BC. From the first days Heather knew that the language, opportunities, and visions for the future her children and family were presented with didn’t align with what she knew to be true and possible.

Jessica and Heather joined forces, together with their husbands, and started looking for other families with a vision of inclusion and belonging. In 2005 Heather & Jessica began job sharing the coordinator position for inclusive post-secondary at UVic and found mentorship in Tamara Hurtado, Judith Mosoff, Sandy Phillips, Janice Maxwell and Inclusion Alberta.

As Heathers family grew, so did her dedication to full lifelong inclusion. She does this work because she has seen the differences in outcomes and opportunities, confidence & skills, well-being and joy that it brings to disabled people and the communities who widen to inclusion, accessibility and greater diversity.

Guest appearance on:

Community is an Action