REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation

February is Inclusive Education Month, and we’re kicking off a three-part series featuring three dads who don’t take their role lightly.

In this first episode of REA-L Conversations, Marta sits down with Alex, Pepe, and Domenic to talk about how their understanding of an inclusive life has evolved over time.

They speak honestly about:

• The power of having just one champion who believes in your child
• How labels in school can open doors to funding, and close doors to opportunity
• A teacher’s high expectations can make all the difference
• Having the opportunity to dream about your future in the same way any student is supported to do this sets students up for success.
• What they would say to their younger selves in those intense early years

Domenic shares what it’s like to see his daughter complete her studies at the University of British Columbia, live independently, and be known by name in her community; a reminder that possibility and hope are real.

Pepe reflects on moving from tears at diagnosis to seeing exponential growth when someone believes in potential. And Alex speaks candidly about the daily tunnel vision of parenting; the grind, the exhaustion, and the importance of stopping to “smell the roses” when you can.

This conversation doesn’t offer polished answers. It offers lived experience. It reminds us that inclusive lives are built through high expectations, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence; especially when the system feels broken.

If you’re in the early years, wondering what’s possible, this episode is for you.
 If you’re further along and need a reminder of why this work is so important, this episode is for you too.

Because this work is harder in isolation. And Dads have important perspectives to share.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation.

REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation

Why limit someone's potential based on old stereotypes? 

People with intellectual & developmental disabilities aren't eternal children. They're valued community members with much to offer. 

Dive into our latest episode as we dismantle the myth of developmental age and explore the harm it causes to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Through heartfelt conversations, we reveal why it's time to recognize and encourage all people to be valued, contributing members of our neighbourhoods, towns and cities. 

Join us as we challenge outdated stereotypes and discuss ways to foster truly inclusive environments.

REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation

A podcast of passion and empowerment!

REA-L Conversations: Holding the Line on Inclusion 🎙️ 

What gets in the way of hope? What makes it so hard to stay on the path of inclusion? REA-L Conversations is a frank, unfiltered, and sometimes cheeky podcast where families and allies dive into the tough, messy, and deeply personal realities of ensuring people with intellectual disabilities live fully included lives. 

From navigating funding pressures to challenging low expectations and ableism, we speak openly about what it takes to stay committed to a vision of belonging, even when the world keeps pushing back. Join us as we challenge the status quo, share hard-won lessons, and create space for conversations that hold true to what matters most. 

Because inclusion isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a life worth fighting for. 

REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation

In our latest conversation, we explore the delicate balance between hope and fear that shapes our journeys as families. From navigating inclusive education to envisioning inclusive futures, we discovered the transformative power of leading with hope—active hope that fuels progress, creativity, and resilience. By holding clear visions and embracing honest dialogue, we remind each other that every small step forward builds a foundation for bigger possibilities. Let's keep redefining what’s possible, together.

Listen in and join the conversation.

REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation

Welcome to episode three. Of real conversations. Where we dive into a discussion about the importance of articulating our family member's vision of an inclusive life.
We also talk about, Why having a vision of inclusive life is so important. And the fact that we just can't do this alone and we need to surround ourselves with allies and people who have the same vision as we do.

I want to clarify a few things before we get started. You'll also find links to resources that we refer to in the notes.

When we use the term inclusion, we want to be clear that we're describing a life where everyone is valued, including our family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Immersed together with non-disabled peers, friends, neighbors, coworkers, family members, and community members. In their own neighborhoods, communities and cities. We envisioned and strive for the same life, path and opportunities that most Canadians have access to. For example, Growing up and being loved by your family. Going to school. Making and keeping friends throughout your life. Going to post-secondary. Having a career falling in love. Pursuing your own dreams and passions throughout your life. This is the lifelong inclusion we are striving for. And one, we believe has the best chance for our family members to experience the good things in life. A life that most of us take for granted.

Links and Resources:

Definition of Inclusion taken from Inclusion Canada:
https://inclusioncanada.ca/who-we-are/#:~:text=Inclusion%20only%20happens%20when%20the,life%20common%20to%20us%20all.

REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation

Join us for part 2 of, What is an Authentic Life?  Where we dive into a discussion about risk taking and why it is so important for our family members with an intellectual or developmental disability to have the right to take risks as anyone would.

Taking risks helps us learn more about ourselves and the world around us. If we don't take risks we will never know what it feels like to succeed.  This video, 'The 3 Benefits of Risk' summarizes it well, https://youtu.be/IghDM7MxPpk.

We talk about our experiences in allowing more risk into our family member's lives. What safeguards could be put into place and how can we get out of the way and allow  them to experience the opportunities that will reveal themselves?   

Lets get rid of the bubble wrap and say 'Yes and How' to real life opportunities!

REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation

We believe  families are the catalyst for change that can create a positive shift in the lives of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and the inclusive communities they contribute to.

In this episode Mandy, Sandra, Heather, Tamara  talk openly about what an authentic life is and how they support their family member to navigate a life where people with an intellectual or developmental disability are  immersed together with their families, friends, colleagues, neighbours and community members; belonging and contributing in the same pathways and life experiences common to us all.   

This is part 1 of a 2 part series on 'What is an Authentic Life?' stay tune for our next podcast where we have an engaging discussion on the necessity of taking risks.

Feel free to comment and let us know what you think

Marta, Mandy, Tamara, Sandy and Heather

REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation

Meet Heather, Mandy, Sandra, Tamara and Me, we are Families Supporting Regular Equitable and Authentic Lives (REA-L).  We believe  families are the catalyst for change that can create a positive shift in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the inclusive communities they contribute to. 

In this episode learn more about who we are, why we're here and how far we will go to ensure our family members vision of an inclusive life is realized.

REA-L Conversations is a family-led podcast about supporting our family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live regular, equitable, authentic lives rooted in community, not separate from it.

Through honest conversation and shared learning, families explore what it takes to hold high expectations and build lives woven into the everyday fabric of our neighbourhoods and cities. 

These conversations don't offer polished answers. They offer lived experience, and reminds us that inclusive lives are built with intention, small steps, strong relationships, and persistence.

Stay connected and join us in the conversation