Voices and Reflections
Stories, Ideas, and Perspectives
This section brings together writing from Inclusion Seekers and our partners on community life, disability, social isolation, and the relationships that shape stronger communities.
Alongside stories from local projects and learning experiences, we publish essays, reflections, and commentary from contributors and partner publications in the U.S. and internationally.
The goal is simple: to share practical ideas, real experiences, and broader conversations about connection, participation, and everyday community life
Find the stories that matter most to you. Search our blog.
Tim Vogt has spent his whole career providing support for people with disability labels. He thrived as the Executive Director of a legacy organization called Starfire in Cincinnati. Their work was highly regarded, but Tim began to wonder if it was actually delivering a full life to all the people being supported. His answer was deeply distressing, so he decided to transform the organization to do whatever would be needed to give people full lives in the community. This book is the story of that remarkable transition – the struggles, the complexity, and the emerging results. It is a leading-edge example of what can be done to reform and refresh hundreds of organizations so all of us can be full citizens together.
Live Storytelling: Saying “Yes” to More
This is Carol Combs’ story of “awakening” – told live at our BYOB(reakast) event. Carol shares how her family went on a journey
Live Storytelling: An Employer’s Evolution | Sean Barnes
Sean Barnes is the owner of Ladles Soup, a family-owned restaurant specializing in soup, sandwiches and salads.
Live Storytelling: Living in the Moment | Rosalyn and Mary Beth
Rosalyn and Mary Beth share their story of how they came to see the importance of living in the moment.
Snapshots
As a writer, I tend to notice, document, hoard interesting bits of human lives into my brain, and save them in a private stock pile like a squirrel.
Remembering the ‘Boys’ in the Bunkhouse – Four Years Later
This past December, the Trump administration announced that they will be
“Safety” | with Tim Vogt
We’ve learned that true safety comes from a form of love or a form of affection and care. It’s a shared obligation, it’s a reciprocal relationship.
“Work” | with Christopher Kubik
What does it look like when people with disabilities are connected to meaningful employment – in the community?
Happy birthday – times three
The first time we sang happy birthday was right before the gifts. Jessica wanted to open them right away, before the food came.
The life she imagined – Kachelle’s story
Kachelle said at first, she wasn’t sure about partnering with Danyetta - or Starfire. “In the beginning, I was just a little stiff,” she said about her early days working with Danyetta.
