Inclusive education – with Jordyn Zimmerman, nonspeaking autistic advocate

Inclusive education – with Jordyn Zimmerman, nonspeaking autistic advocate

Author: Carolyn Kiel April 3, 2023 Duration: 37:15

Jordyn Zimmerman earned her bachelor's degree in Education Policy from Ohio University and her Masters of Education at Boston College. As a nonspeaking autistic student who was denied access to effective augmentative communication until she was 18, Jordyn has personal experience challenging the educational status quo. Her experience is featured in the 2021 documentary, "This Is Not About Me." 

Technology helped open Jordyn's world, and she began advocating for students. She has keynoted and presented at conferences around the world, is on the board of CommunicationFIRST, works as Director of Professional Development at The Nora Project, and has been featured by prominent media outlets. Recently, Jordyn was appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Jordyn is passionate and determined to make a difference in the world of education — making sure every student can access effective communication and exercise their right to a truly inclusive education.

During this episode, Jordyn shares:

  • What life was like before she could communicate by typing – and how it changed when she finally got access to effective communication technology at the age of 18
  • The poor treatment and substandard education she received in school, from people who denied her access to communication technology and refused to recognize her intelligence – and how her experiences fuel her advocacy for inclusive education
  • What was it like going to college away from home – and why she started a college cheerleading team that includes disabled and nondisabled students 
  • Her advocacy with the nonprofit organization CommunicationFIRST for people with communication disabilities
  • How she got the opportunity to be featured in the documentary "This Is Not About Me"
  • Her advice for nonspeakers and their allies 

To find out more about Jordyn and her work, visit her website at JordynZimmerman.com and connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!

Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode!

Read the episode transcript.

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*


Hosted by Carolyn Kiel, Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people moves past the snap judgments that so often define how neurodivergent people are perceived. Each conversation here is an invitation to listen deeply, exploring the nuanced realities of entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and other neurodivergent individuals as they share their own experiences in their own words. You’ll hear personal accounts that challenge stereotypes, not through abstract arguments, but through the vivid details of lived experience-the unique pathways to creativity, the challenges navigated in work and relationships, and the personal definitions of success and well-being. This podcast creates a space where identity is explored with authenticity, highlighting the strengths and perspectives that arise from thinking differently. Tuning in means connecting with stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the neurodivergent community itself, offering genuine insight into mental health, societal norms, and the richness of human cognition. Carolyn guides these discussions with a focus on depth and connection, ensuring every episode goes far beneath the surface to celebrate the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
Podcast Episodes
Dyspraxia, dyslexia and autism – with Charis Hawkley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:24
Charis Hawkley is an award-nominated disability advocate with dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism. She enjoys discussing her experiences as a neurodivergent woman through writing articles, guesting on podcasts and speaking at…
Life as a neurodivergent preemie – with Preeti Kalra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:38
Preeti Kalra is a Hospital Clinical Pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Masters in Health Administration. She is the Director of Partnerships and Communications an…
Space To Exhale – with Lisa Hurley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:39
Lisa Hurley is an Anthem award-winning activist and author of the new book, "Space To Exhale: A Handbook For Curating A Soft, Centered, Serene Life." She is also the Founder of The Great Exhale, a serene virtual communit…
Down syndrome advocacy – Matthew Schwab Speaks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:37
Matthew Schwab is a 27-year-old North Carolina native with Down syndrome who has his own public speaking business, Matthew Schwab Speaks. In 2019, he gave a TEDx talk about the importance of employing people with intelle…
Autism Inclusion in the Christian Church – with Sunita Theiss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:01
CW: Eating disorder, death of a parent. Sunita Theiss is an autistic, ADHD and PDA* parent, writer, and advocate. A second-generation Indian American, she has a rich background in communications, marketing, and storytell…
Tourette syndrome community and research - with Dr. Daniel P. Jones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:44
Dr. Daniel P. Jones is a Creative Practitioner, Disability Scholar, and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Sheffield in the UK. Daniel specializes in inclusive research methodologies, focusing on the em…
Dyslexia advocacy in Nigeria – with Oladoyin Idowu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:59
Content warning: This episode mentions physical and verbal abuse in school, suicidal ideation and a suicide attempt, and drug use. Oladoyin Idowu is a pioneering dyslexia advocate and mental health professional dedicated…
Memoirs of a Neurodivergent Latina – with Lya Batlle-Rafferty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:47
Lya Batlle-Rafferty, an MIT graduate with a degree in Cognitive Science, has had a career focused mostly on technology. She has often been a trailblazer as the only woman in a large company performing that type of work.…