Breaking Barriers: Brittany Dejean’s Journey to Disability Inclusion Leadership

Host Mike Bolland welcomes Brittany Dejean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart and former Airbnb accessibility leader. Brittany opens up about how her father’s spinal cord injury at age 12 inspired her lifelong passion for disability inclusion.

She shares insights from her 6.5 years at Airbnb working on accessibility and diversity initiatives, her nonprofit work with Able Thrive, and her current mission as an entrepreneur and advocate. Brittany’s training programs help people overcome awkwardness around disability and build more inclusive, empathetic spaces in both personal and professional settings.

Join Mike and Brittany for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, disability awareness, and fostering authentic inclusion.

Learn more about Brittany and Inclusion Jumpstart at inclusionjumpstart.com
Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brittany-martin-dejean

Limb Loss Advocate Mike Bolland

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  • Joslynn Bigelow, founder and CEO of Say How Consulting

September 23rd, 2025|

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Joslynn Bigelow, founder and CEO of Say How Consulting, for a powerful conversation on disability advocacy, system navigation, and the importance of dignity of risk. Joslynn shares her personal journey into advocacy, the launch of her consulting business, and her five guiding principles for creating inclusive services: dignity of risk, individual readiness, assess and address, authentic experience, and realistic opportunities. The discussion dives into: ✅ Why “say how” means finding solutions when systems say “no” ✅ The role of dignity of risk in fostering independence and inclusion ✅ The origins and growth of the United Adaptive Soccer Association (UASA) ✅ The challenges of advancing inclusion in adaptive sports ✅ The unique opportunities upcoming global sporting events offer for disability awareness

  • Enhancing Skills for Life

September 16th, 2025|

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Shawn Johnson, founder and executive director of Enhancing Skills for Life, and Mike St. Onge, board chairman and quadruple amputee, to explore the organization’s inspiring mission and impact. Shawn, an occupational therapist with nearly three decades of prosthetic and rehabilitation experience, shares how Enhancing Skills for Life grew from its first workshop in 2002 into a global community serving people living without both arms or all four limbs. Mike reflects on his personal journey as a quadruple amputee, highlighting the strength of peer support and empowerment in rebuilding independence. Discover how this nonprofit is transforming lives through:  ✅ Workshops and skill-building events  ✅ Adaptive equipment resources like the “Hands-Free Catalog”  ✅ Scholarships, mentorship, and international participation  ✅ Exciting future collaborations and upcoming workshops Whether you’re part of the limb loss community or simply inspired by stories of resilience and hope, this conversation is packed with insight and heart.

  • cancer and amputation journey

September 9th, 2025|

In 2013, Armeda Batchler made the life-altering decision to amputate her left leg above the knee after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma—just months after becoming a new mother. Determined to push forward, she balanced recovery, parenting, and work with remarkable strength. Yet behind the resilience, Armeda faced hidden struggles: depression, isolation, and the difficulty of asking for help. Over time, she discovered the healing power of connection, rebuilding a local amputee support group and embracing advocacy to support others walking a similar path. In this heartfelt conversation, Armeda opens up about her cancer journey, the challenges of raising her daughter while adapting to limb loss, and how hope and community helped her transform struggle into purpose.

By |2025-07-29T09:37:51-07:00July 29th, 2025|General Disability Related Resources and News|Comments Off on Breaking Barriers: Brittany Dejean’s Journey to Disability Inclusion Leadership

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