The SENIA Happy Hour Podcast

For the past five years, the SENIA Happy Hour Podcast has been a platform for powerful stories—stories from global experts, passionate parent and student advocates, and most importantly, individuals with disabilities. Each conversation has brought us closer to SENIA International’s mission of creating truly inclusive learning environments around the world. These voices have sparked change, challenged long-held assumptions, and reminded us that meaningful inclusion starts by listening. To help us celebrate our 100th episode, we’re joined by someone who helped shape the very foundation of SENIA: Tanya Farrol. A founding member and now SENIA’s Chairperson, Tanya has dedicated over two decades to inclusive education in international schools across Haiti, Egypt, England, China, and now Nanjing. She has hosted SENIA conferences, supported our Scholarships and Awards program, and helped guide SENIA-Beijing for more than a decade. In this special episode, Tanya shares the story of SENIA’s beginnings, reflects on the journey so far, and offers her vision for the future of inclusion worldwide. From Canada to Nanjing and beyond, her unwavering dedication continues to inspire our community. Connect: * ⁠Tanya's email⁠ [tanya@seniainternational.org] * ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-farrol-2937a210/]

In today's episode, host Lori Boll speaks with Vanessa Vanek—a fiber and digital media artist, international educator, and proud disabled woman—on the SENIA Happy Hour Podcast. Vanessa shares how her lived experience with Spina Bifida has shaped both her art and her teaching. From Kansas to Shanghai, her story is a powerful reminder that beauty doesn’t live in society’s view of perfection—it lives in authenticity, vulnerability, and bold creative expression. We talk about: * How art can challenge ideas of beauty and normalcy * What it’s like teaching across cultures as a disabled educator * Why inclusive classrooms need representation in every brushstroke * Practical tips for teachers who want to bring disability inclusion into the art room You don’t want to miss this one. Tune in and be inspired. Connect: * Vanessa’s email [vevankova@yahoo.com] * Vanessa’s Portfolio [https://vevankova.myportfolio.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-vankova/] Resources From Today’s Show: * UNICEF Video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNCzSkV2udw]

Overview:On this episode of the SENIA Happy Hour podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Maymouna Sakho and Dr. MaryAnn DeRosa about their collaborative project "From the Margins, For the Margins." These two passionate educators share their personal journeys and how their experiences have shaped their approach to inclusive education. Maymouna and MaryAnn discuss the importance of developing a mindset that celebrates neurodiversity and different ways of learning, rather than viewing students as problems to be fixed. They explain how their monthly meetups exemplify their strategy of distilling mindset, knowledge, and practice into accessible steps for educators. The conversation highlights their unique approach to professional development in inclusive education, emphasizing joy, practical strategies, and the power of building a supportive learning community. Listeners will gain insights into how these educators are working to transform learning support practices in international schools and beyond, with a focus on student agency and dignity for all learners. Connect * Email: adjam.sakho@gmail.com [adjam.sakho@gmail.com] & mas.derosa@gmail.com * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maymounasakho/]: Maymouna * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-derosa/]: Dr. DeRosa * Website: Sakho Learning Consultancy [https://sakholearningconsult.my.canva.site/] Resources From Today’s Show: * Book: Culturally Responsive Teaching

Overview:  In today’s podcast host Lori Boll interviews Jeff Sisk, Senior Manager of Assistive Technology Services (ATS) in Fairfax County Public Schools, who is also a presenter, author, and adjunct faculty at George Mason University. Jeff and Lori discuss Assistive Technology- it’s definition, common misconceptions, and the process his district utilizes to best match AT to a student’s needs. Jeff emphasizes the transformative power of assistive technology in leveling the educational playing field for students with diverse learning needs. He also highlights the importance of universal design for learning and the integration of AT tools in modern classrooms. Connect * Email: Jeff.Sisk@fcps.edu * Website [https://www.fcps.edu/academics/special-education/assistive-technology-services]: Assistive Technology Services, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsisk/] * X [https://x.com/ATS_FCPS] Resources from Today’s Show * AT Ambassadors [https://www.fcps.edu/academics/special-education/assistive-technology-services/ambassadors-program], Fairfax County * SETT Framework [https://www.ldonline.org/ld-topics/assistive-technology/get-sett-successful-inclusion-and-transition]

On this episode, host Lori Boll speaks with Alexandra “Zandy” Wong who shared her personal journey with hearing loss and her mission to make the digital world more accessible. Zanday’s experience inspired her to found the NextGen Accessibility Initiative, which has reached over 200,000 youth across 119 countries. She discussed key aspects of digital accessibility, including proper captioning, alt text for images, and color contrast considerations. Currently pursuing a master's in Applied Digital Health at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Zandy outlined her vision for a fully accessible digital world, emphasizing the need for inherently accessible platforms, cultural shifts in perceiving disability, and ensuring assistive technologies are available to all. Connect * Email: alexandrawong2002@gmail.com * Website [https://sites.google.com/view/zandy-wong/nextgen-accessibility-initiative?authuser=0]: NextGen Accessibility Initiative * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zandywong/]