Outspoken-info

Outspoken-info Outspoken provides education around, and advocacy for, members of the special needs and disability community.

Every encounter draws from personal experience and professional training. At Outspoken, we aim is to uplift the lives we are honored to touch.

📣 Sharing for our friends at The Arc of Washington County and Ruder Law!Families, self-advocates, educators, and profess...
06/02/2026

📣 Sharing for our friends at The Arc of Washington County and Ruder Law!

Families, self-advocates, educators, and professionals supporting students with disabilities may want to check out this FREE Special Education Lunch & Learn Series beginning this month.

These virtual sessions are designed to provide practical guidance on topics including:

✅ Reading services and supports
✅ Understanding the IEP process
✅ School refusal
✅ Behavior and school discipline
✅ Extended School Year (ESY) services
✅ Building stronger partnerships between families and professionals

Each webinar includes legal insight from experienced special education attorneys and time for questions and discussion.

If you or someone you know could benefit from learning more about navigating special education services and supports, this looks like a great opportunity.

For registration, questions, or additional details, please contact the event organizers directly using the information provided on the flyer.

Our newest episode of Connecting Our Communities just dropped - and this one is truly special. 🍦💙Host Christine Brookins...
05/28/2026

Our newest episode of Connecting Our Communities just dropped - and this one is truly special. 🍦💙

Host Christine Brookins visits Cookie Cookie Ice Cream Company in Kennedy Township to spotlight a local business proving that inclusion, opportunity, and community can all exist under one roof.

More than an ice cream shop, Cookie Cookie Ice Cream is creating meaningful employment and vocational training opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout the Pittsburgh region while building confidence, independence, and connection along the way.

In this episode, co-founder Connie Feda shares the inspiring story behind the business, the impact of her daughter Hannah, and how partnerships with OVR, local schools, and transition programs are helping create real-world opportunities for so many families.

From artisan ice cream and giant homemade cookies to a mission rooted in dignity and belonging, this conversation is a powerful reminder that businesses can truly change lives.

If you love uplifting stories about inclusion, entrepreneurship, and community impact, you won’t want to miss this one. 🍪✨
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rsaa93iGdo

Really appreciated the opportunity to attend last week’s networking meeting and hear guest speaker Mary Evrard break d...
05/27/2026

Really appreciated the opportunity to attend last week’s networking meeting and hear guest speaker Mary Evrard break down some of the many acronyms, systems, and resources that families and professionals often navigate every day. Sometimes simply understanding the language can make a huge difference. 💙

What I continue to love about the Special Needs Consortium is their mission of bringing people together through networking, advocacy, and shared resources to better support individuals with disabilities and their families. It’s a reminder that no one should have to figure these systems out alone.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, provider, advocate, or someone simply looking to better understand the resources available in our community - this is such a valuable group to connect with. 💛

Learn more here: https://www.specialneedsconsortium.org/

Last week's kickoff for the Special Olympics PA Law Enforcement Torch Run was a reminder that the “Flame of Hope” repres...
05/26/2026

Last week's kickoff for the Special Olympics PA Law Enforcement Torch Run was a reminder that the “Flame of Hope” represents so much more than a torch - it represents unity, perseverance, and the incredible athletes who inspire all of us every single day.

From local law enforcement officers serving as the “Guardians of the Flame” to the athletes, families, and supporters lining up behind this mission, the energy was truly special.

We loved seeing everyone help carry the torch across Pennsylvania on its journey to State College for the 2026 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games. 💛🏃‍♂️🔥

Still smiling thinking back on the beautiful energy at the ✨ Beauty Beyond Limits with event in April. It was such a ...
05/19/2026

Still smiling thinking back on the beautiful energy at the ✨ Beauty Beyond Limits with event in April. It was such a meaningful day centered around accessible beauty, self-expression, inclusion, and community. 💛

From the hair and makeup stations to the incredible vendors, photo booth fun, assistive beauty tools, and the thoughtful caregiver lounge, every detail created a welcoming and empowering experience for all.

So grateful to have been part of such a lovely event and to connect with so many amazing individuals, families, caregivers, and community partners throughout the day.

This week is Period Poverty Awareness Week - a time to raise awareness about the millions of individuals who struggle to...
05/11/2026

This week is Period Poverty Awareness Week - a time to raise awareness about the millions of individuals who struggle to access basic menstrual products and education. Organizations like Aunt Flow are helping lead the conversation around menstrual equity and making period products more accessible in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.

Accessibility matters. Period products are not a luxury - they are a basic need. Creating accessible, stigma-free access helps individuals fully participate in school, work, sports, and everyday life with dignity. 💙

Learn more here: https://goauntflow.com/blog/period-poverty-awareness-week/

What an incredible day at the Disability & Mental Health Summit last week! 💙I had the opportunity to interview some trul...
05/11/2026

What an incredible day at the Disability & Mental Health Summit last week! 💙

I had the opportunity to interview some truly amazing guests and hear powerful conversations centered around advocacy, accessibility, inclusion, mental health, and community support. The passion in the room was inspiring, and it was such an honor to connect with so many incredible individuals and organizations making a difference.

Stay tuned - we’ll be sharing these interviews soon, and I can’t wait for you to hear these important conversations and stories. 🎥✨

05/07/2026

Come see me today at the Disability & Mental Health Summit! I’ll be at CCAC on the North Side in Milton Hall, Room 109 —- stop by and say hello! 😊

🎥 New Episode Release 🎥In our newest episode of Connecting Our Community, we head to Wexford to spotlight the incredible...
05/06/2026

🎥 New Episode Release 🎥

In our newest episode of Connecting Our Community, we head to Wexford to spotlight the incredible work happening at Fitness 4 Focus North Hills - where fitness, inclusion, and adaptive coaching come together in a powerful way. 💙

This conversation highlights the importance of creating spaces where individuals of all abilities feel supported, empowered, and seen through movement and community.

You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode and the amazing people behind it.

🎬 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0g0m1MDcUM

✨ See You Tomorrow!We’re looking forward to an incredible day at the Disability & Mental Health Summit tomorrow, May 7th...
05/06/2026

✨ See You Tomorrow!
We’re looking forward to an incredible day at the Disability & Mental Health Summit tomorrow, May 7th.

It’s a powerful opportunity to connect, learn, and explore the many resources that support and strengthen our community - all in one place.
Whether you’re attending for the sessions, the speakers, or the connections, we can’t wait to see you there.
💬 Stop by, say hello, and be part of the conversation!

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