MERGE Inclusion Consulting

?? MERGE is Back at ACANE! ?? Lisa Drennan is returning to the American Camp Association, New England's Camp Conference in Manchester, NH, from March 27-29, bringing game-changing strategies for inclusion at camp! ???? ?? Empowering Success: Inclusive Strategies for Challenging Behaviors ?? Friday, March 28 | ? 8:45 AM - 10:15 AM ?? DEI Backlash "Table Talk: Discussions ?? Friday, March 28 | ? 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM ?? Overcoming Inclusion Challenges at Camp: Moving Forward Together ?? Friday, March 28 | ? 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Camp should be a place where everyone belongs—let’s make it happen! ???? ?? Will you be there? Drop a comment! ?? #ACANE2025 #InclusionAtCamp #AllCampersBelong #MERGEInclusionConsulting #DisabilityInclusion

Grateful for the opportunity to share insights on building a truly inclusive camp culture! Inclusion isn’t just one person’s job—it’s a mindset that every staff member plays a role in. When we all take ownership, every camper benefits. Thank you Project Real Job for providing a platform. #ProjectRealJob #WorkAtCamp

???? Words Matter! Supporting kids with executive functioning challenges starts with how we communicate. Instead of phrases that might add stress, try ones that empower and guide! ??? ?? Instead of: “Calm down” → ? “Let's take some breaths together?” ?? Instead of: “You’re late” → ? “I’m happy to see you!” ?? Instead of: “Forget it, I’ll just do it.” → ? “You can do this. I believe in you.” A little shift in language can make a BIG difference! ????

Inclusion is a team effort—a powerful chorus of voices working together to break down barriers and build a world where everyone belongs. ???? As Debra Ruh reminds us, true inclusion takes allies who challenge the status quo and stand beside us in the fight for accessibility, dignity, and respect. ?? Let's keep pushing forward, together. #InclusionMatters #AccessibilityForAll #StrongerTogether #Belonging

?? "If 1 of 20 kiddos has a disability, then 19 or 20 have the opportunity to learn about diversity, collaboration, inclusion, and friendship." ?? Every child benefits when we create spaces where everyone belongs. Let’s keep building inclusive communities together! ?? #InclusionMatters #FriendshipForAll #DisabilityInclusion #TeachInclusion

JOIN US THURSDAY!! MERGE’s Lisa Drennan is a featured speaker for the Great Lakes ADA Center’s upcoming Arts-N-Rec webinar! ???? ? Creating a Culture of Inclusion at Camp: 8 Essential Habits for Staff ? ?? Thursday, February 13, 2025 ? 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET Let’s talk practical strategies to make the ADA work in your camp programs! Don’t miss this! ?? Register now: https://bit.ly/4hdWbmo #Accessibility #ArtsAndCulture #Camping #Inclusion #Disability #KidsWithDisabilities #MERGEInclusionConsulting #InclusionMatters #CampForAll

?????"Every time you think of calling a kid 'attention-seeking,' consider changing it to 'connection-seeking' and see how your perspective changes."?– Dr. Jody Carrington ?? ?? Kids thrive when they feel seen, heard, and valued. Let’s reframe our language and focus on building connections that foster belonging! ???? #ConnectionMatters #KidsDeserveConnection #InclusionMatters #BelongingForAll #PositiveLanguage #ChildDevelopment #MERGEInclusion #DrJodyCarrington #SeeTheGood

??TRUE NORTH IS AN ORIENTATION?? ?? Inclusion isn’t a final stop—it’s how we navigate the journey. Melissa Probst’s words, “True North is not a destination, it is an orientation,” perfectly capture what it means to build disability inclusion into our communities and organizations. It’s not about “getting there” but about continuously aligning our actions with values that create belonging for all. ??? Let’s approach every step with purpose and direction, knowing the journey itself is what shapes inclusive culture. ???? #DisabilityInclusion #TrueNorth #BelongingMatters #CultureOfInclusion

???? "Labels aren't limiting; lack of access and lack of inclusion are." ???? — Giraffe Party ???? Let’s break barriers, not spirits. Inclusion matters. ?? #DisabilityInclusion #AccessForAll #InclusionMatters #GiraffeParty

???"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."?– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Injustice takes many forms—racism, ableism, exclusion, and discrimination of all kinds. When we ignore one, we risk allowing harm in every space. True justice means standing against all forms of oppression and ensuring every voice, ability, and identity is valued and included. Let’s work together to break barriers and build a world where?everyone?belongs. ???? #InclusionMatters #EndAbleism #JusticeForAll #MLKQuotes #BelongingForAll #BreakBarriers