Episode 17 of Disability Rights and Wrongs — The David Lepodcast Part 2 of an Interview with a Retired Elementary School Principal Showing Parents of Students with Disabilities How to Advocate for Their Child’s Disability Needs in Elementary School

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update

United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities

Website: www.aodaalliance.org

Email: aodafeedback@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aodaalliance

Twitter: @aodaalliance

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aodaalliance

TikTok @AODAAlliance

Episode 17 of Disability Rights and Wrongs — The David Lepodcast Includes Part 2 of an Interview with a Retired Elementary School Principal Showing Parents of Students with Disabilities How to Advocate for Their Child’s Disability Needs in Elementary School

 

August 15, 2026

 

SUMMARY

 

Listen to Episode 17 of “Disability Rights and Wrongs — The David Lepodcast” wherever you get podcasts (but not on YouTube). It is entitled “How to Advocate for a Child’s Disability-Related Learning Needs with retired school principle, Debbie Stern – Part 2.”

 

Parents often find it stressful to advocate for their child’s disability-related needs at school. In the last episode and this new one, retired school principal Debbie Stern shares invaluable insight on how to do it. Learn how to approach your school board in practical ways that will be far more likely to achieve positive outcomes. Our guest is also the parent of a child with disabilities. She has experience as the principal receiving parental advocacy, and as the parent doing the advocating.

 

Thanks to Accessible Media Inc. AMI for producing this podcast, and co-host and producer Jacob Shymanski.

 

For links to subscribe to our podcast, and for tips on how you can help, check out the July 29, 2026 AODA Alliance Update.

 

All Episodes to Date Waiting for You to Listen!

 

  • Episode 1 The 12-Year Fight for Automated Stop Announcements on the TTC about Lepofsky’s long struggle to make transit in Toronto accessible for blind riders with host David Lepofsky.
  • Episode 2: Beyond Building Codes: Designing Spaces for Everyone with guest built-environment accessible design expert Thea Kurdi
  • Episode 3: Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign, Part 1 covering how targeted advocacy resulted in policy change for autism therapies. With guest autism advocate Bruce McIntosh.
  • Episode 4: Turning Barriers into Headlines: Practical Tips from a Veteran News Reporter with former journalist Michelle McQuigge.
  • Episode 5 and Episode 6: How to get a Politician’s Attention Part 1 and Part 2 with the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, former Ontario Premier.
  • Episode 7: Airline Accessibility: How Maayan Ziv Turned a Mangled Wheelchair into Real Change with Maayan Ziv.
  • Episode 8: Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign, Part 2 covering how targeted advocacy resulted in policy change for autism therapies with guest autism advocate Bruce McIntosh.
  • Episode 9: Why Must a Doctor with Disabilities Combat Accessibility Barriers in the Health Care System? with physician Dr. Lisa Freeman.
  • Episode 10 and Episode 11: The Milestone Fight for Including Disability Rights in Canada’s Charter of Rights – With Yvonne Peters, Part 1 and Part 2
  • Episode 12 and Episode 13: Advocating for Livable Homes – With Accessible Housing Activist and Raging Granny, Kate Chung – Part 1 and Part 2.
  • Episode 14 and Episode 15: Advocacy Is a Team Sport – How to Successfully Navigate Coalitions with Wendy Porch -Part 1 and Part 2.
  • Episode 16 and Episode 17: How to Advocate for a Child’s Disability-Related Learning Needs with retired school principle, Debbie Stern – Parts 1 and 2.