inclusion – Page 18 – Stepping Stones Center

October 6, 2026· Neurodiversity

Rethinking Life, Mind, and Culture: The Intersection of Relational Ecology, Indigenous Wisdom, and Neurodiversity

Core ideas within Buddhist and Daoist spiritual traditions are deeply reflective of the commonalities found across many human-scale indigenous cultures. A compassionate framework of love as vulnerable mutual knowing is remarkably compatible with a panpsychic relational philosophy. Ultimately, everyone wants their experience to be taken seriously. We are embodied spirits, compelled to make sense of…

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October 6, 2026· Assistive Technology

Self-Taught Robotic "Musician Hand" Breaks Boundaries in Assistive Technology

When we think of modern robotics, we typically picture rigid, heavy-duty machines operating within the strictly controlled confines of a factory floor. These conventional systems require exhaustive, painstaking programming, massive datasets compiled over years, and meticulously maintained environments to function properly. If even a single variable is shifted slightly out of place, the machine often…

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October 6, 2026· Neurodiversity

Beyond Hierarchies: How Autistic Culture and Relational Thinking Are Reimagining Human Society

Many autistic people experience profound difficulties thinking of the world in hierarchical terms. According to what researchers and anthropologists understand about human evolutionary history, this cognitive orientation reflects innate collaborative cultural capabilities combined with a significantly reduced capacity for maintaining ongoing cognitive dissonance. This distinct profile stems from uncommon sensitivity profiles that fall well outside…

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October 6, 2026· Special Education

Federal Medicaid Cuts Leave Thousands of Vulnerable Noncitizens in Minnesota Facing Health Care Crisis

MINNEAPOLIS — For nearly four decades, Niraphanh Insomphou has called Minnesota home. Like many in the state’s vibrant immigrant community, her family arrived in the 1970s seeking refuge after fleeing conflict in Laos. While her siblings eventually navigated the complex path to U.S. citizenship, Insomphou—who lives with profound intellectual and developmental disabilities and is unable…

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October 6, 2026· Assistive Technology

3D-Printed Wheelchairs Offer a Glimpse Into a More Accessible and Affordable Future for Pediatric Care

At the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Nashville, the newest piece of mobility equipment is a 3D-printed wheelchair—built layer by layer by a gaming and technology specialist who had never set out to design a wheelchair at all. That detail matters. It is a small sign of a much bigger shift happening in pediatric…

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October 6, 2026· Neurodiversity

Rebuilding Ecologies of Care: Beyond Social Hierarchies, Internalized Ableism, and the Homo Economicus Myth

Underneath the surface of internalized ableism, a profound truth often remains obscured by modern societal expectations: no one truly wants to be seen and heard by the masses. Instead, human beings naturally prefer to be understood and loved deeply by a few, and everyone shares an innate desire to love, care for, and help one…

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October 5, 2026· Special Education

From Classroom Volunteer to Professional Educator: A New Pipeline for Chicago Schools

For years, Maria Johnson was a familiar, quiet presence in the hallways of Chicago Public Schools. As a dedicated volunteer parent, she slipped into classrooms to act as an extra pair of hands, helping students sound out difficult words and providing the kind of individual attention that busy teachers sometimes struggle to distribute among dozens…

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October 5, 2026· Assistive Technology

McMaster University Students Launch Startup to Deliver $20 Custom 3D-Printed Hearing Aids

For millions of people worldwide, the simple act of hearing a conversation, enjoying music, or listening to the natural sounds of the world comes with a steep financial hurdle. Traditional prescription hearing aids are often priced in the thousands of dollars, placing a vital medical necessity out of reach for individuals and families on tight…

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October 5, 2026· Neurodiversity

Beyond Neuronormativity: How Autistic Culture and Ecologies of Care Are Reshaping Human Connection

Autistic culture represents a world of infinite diversity that exists far beyond the boundaries of the neuronormative imagination. Every autistic relationship is entirely unique, forged within a context where many individuals carry the weight of profound trauma. To address this reality, communities require appropriate tools to invest in the deep understanding of one another. Scholars…

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October 5, 2026· Assistive Technology

England Announces Nationwide All-Day Free Bus Travel for Disabled Citizens Starting April 1

Starting April 1, disabled people across England will be able to travel by bus for free at any time of day, marking a major transformation in public transportation accessibility and daily mobility for roughly one million residents. Previously, free bus passes issued under the concessionary travel scheme were restricted to off-peak hours on weekdays, specifically…

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