Conversations, Collaboration, and a Portable Fan: Three Weeks of Disability Advocacy

 

Hello, everyone!

Apologies for not writing sooner—it’s been a whirlwind these last three weeks! I was talking to my friends Jenny and Debbie last night and said it feels like we’re so high up, the only way to go is down. Of course, that’s the pessimistic part of me talking, because the truth is, we’re just getting started.

Three weeks ago, I had the honor and pleasure of attending the AHEAD conference in Denver, Colorado. AHEAD is the national organization we’ve partnered with through our disability access grant, working alongside Dr. Jenifer Montag. One of the key lessons I’ve been emphasizing as we build out our training manual is that collaboration is essential. Up to now, my work has primarily been on the corrections side—but not as much on the disability services side. And there’s a gap there. A gap that shouldn’t exist.

All students deserve access to quality education and support, whether or not they have a disability, and whether or not they’re incarcerated. When we work together—disability services, corrections, education partners—everyone benefits. At AHEAD, I made some powerful connections, including with the National Deaf Center, who is excited to learn more about our work and explore future collaboration. The AHEAD conference leads by example when it comes to equal access, and I left inspired to continue pushing for that same equity for incarcerated students.

The following week, we hit the road—North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Huge shout-out to Jenny for being willing to drive all of it! We had a rental car that started with just 4 miles on it, and by the end of the trip we had clocked over 1,000. One highlight was meeting with the Florida Coalition for Higher Education in Prison. They’re eager to learn how they can better support students with disabilities, and we talked about the importance of planning for reentry. Depending on the study, 90–95% of incarcerated people will come home—and we need to make sure they’re ready. Florida is a great example of what’s possible when passion and purpose come together to create change.

Now let’s talk about heat. Needless to say, it was blazing hot in all four states we visited! We did a quick side trip to Savannah, Georgia—an incredible city full of powerful and, at times, painful history. With heat indexes well over 100 degrees, we had to be smart about our time. I carried a portable fan, wore sunscreen and breathable clothes, stayed hydrated, and took AC breaks whenever we could.

But that brings me to a bigger issue. Extreme heat (and cold) can be serious triggers for people with disabilities—especially those with multiple sclerosis (MS), asthma, cardiovascular conditions, epilepsy, and certain mental health disorders. For example, MS symptoms can worsen dramatically in heat, and heat-related stress can amplify anxiety or make it harder to regulate medications.

Many correctional facilities, unfortunately, don’t have air conditioning or adequate heating—not in classrooms, and often not in dorms or general areas either. I recently spoke with someone incarcerated who shared that in his state, they've been promising AC for years—but nothing has changed. As a cost-saving measure, they installed industrial fans in the common rooms, but not where people sleep. The result? Students are getting sick, exhausted, and unable to focus in class.

Now imagine trying to learn algebra or business accounting while it’s 100 degrees and there's no AC. Even for those without disabilities, that’s a tough environment. For students with sensory processing disorders, chronic illness, or fatigue-related disabilities, it’s even more dangerous and limiting. Instructors suffer too—many have strict dress codes barring shorts or open-toed shoes, making the conditions even more unbearable.

This is why partnerships and collaboration matter so much. Universities and education programs can play a vital role in helping Departments of Corrections understand that investing in accessible, climate-controlled spaces isn’t just humane—it’s essential for student success.

That was one of the biggest takeaways from this trip. I’m especially excited about our next step: creating a training manual and a series of online modules that offer practical strategies for DOCs and programs—especially when facilities lack proper heating or cooling. Instead of denying students participation because of the physical environment, let’s figure out how they can participate safely and successfully.

I’m home for two weeks now, then I’m off to Washington State—and I’m excited! I’m deeply grateful to everyone in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina for the warmth (pun intended), the conversations, and the commitment to change. It’s a lot of travel, yes—but the connections we’re making and the momentum we’re building make it more than worth it.

Thanks for following along. We’re just getting started—and I’m so glad you’re with us.