Karen F Cull
Include CA CEO
Redondo Beach, California
As a parent, I have struggled to keep my 18-year-old son in an Inclusive setting. Now I am using that experience to support other families as an advocate. Including kids one at a time is frustrating and inadequate. I am passionate about advocating for systemic change in special education and have sought out other parents who are working with their districts or advocating locally to press for change. I have enjoyed being a CalTASH board member and met so many great inclusionists through our state chapter. As a CA LEND Family Support alumni, I developed an interest in research on how we support families in the special education system, and how we train parents to advocate for strength-based inclusive IEPs. With eight other parents and a self-advocate, I am building a new organization, Include CA, focused on empowering parents within our education system to advocate for inclusive practices at a systemic level. I am also a writer and Content Specialist for Undivided.