Jenna Gargels: A Trailblazing Advocate for Inclusion and Accessibility

Introduction
Jenna Gargels is an internationally renowned advocate, speaker, and consultant who has dedicated her life to promoting inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.
With her unwavering passion and expertise, she has inspired countless individuals and organizations to create more inclusive and equitable environments.

Early Life and Education
Jenna Gargels was born in 1986 in Wisconsin, USA, and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age. Despite the challenges she faced, she excelled in her studies and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2008.
She went on to pursue a master's degree in rehabilitation psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which she completed in 2010.

Advocacy Career
Jenna Gargels began her advocacy work while still a student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She founded the campus chapter of the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and served as its president.
After graduating, she worked as an accessibility specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, where she helped develop and implement policies to improve access to healthcare for people with disabilities.

Founding of Accessible Travel & Leisure
In 2012, Jenna Gargels co-founded Accessible Travel & Leisure (ATL), a non-profit organization dedicated to making travel and leisure more accessible for people with disabilities.
ATL provides information and resources on accessible destinations, travel tips, and advocacy efforts.

Speaking Engagements and Publications
Jenna Gargels is a sought-after speaker who has given presentations at conferences, universities, and organizations around the world.
She has also published numerous articles and blog posts on topics related to disability, inclusion, and accessibility.

Awards and Recognition
Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including:
- The National Council on Disability's Samuel Gridley Howe Award in 2016
- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017
- The American Association of People with Disabilities' Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award in 2018

Significance and Impact
Jenna Gargels's advocacy has had a profound impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
She has raised awareness about the challenges they face, promoted inclusive practices, and inspired countless individuals to become advocates themselves.
Her work has contributed to making the world a more inclusive and equitable place for all.

Jenna Gargels's Advocacy in Action
Jenna Gargels's advocacy extends beyond her speaking engagements and publications.
She has worked tirelessly to make a tangible difference in the lives of people with disabilities through various initiatives and collaborations.

Accessible Travel
Jenna Gargels is a passionate advocate for accessible travel.
She has worked with the travel industry to improve the accessibility of transportation, accommodations, and attractions.
She has also developed resources and provided training to help travelers with disabilities plan and enjoy their trips.

Inclusive Education
Jenna Gargels is a strong advocate for inclusive education.
She believes that all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, deserve the opportunity to learn and succeed in mainstream classrooms.
She has worked with schools and teachers to develop inclusive practices and ensure that students with disabilities have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers.

Employment
Jenna Gargels is committed to helping people with disabilities find and keep meaningful employment.
She has worked with employers to promote inclusive hiring practices and provide accommodations that enable employees with disabilities to succeed in the workplace.

Jenna Gargels's Storytelling Approach
Jenna Gargels uses storytelling as a powerful tool to connect with audiences and convey the importance of inclusion.
She shares personal stories and anecdotes to illustrate the challenges people with disabilities face and the positive impact that inclusion can have.

Story 1: The Inaccessible Hotel
Jenna Gargels tells the story of a time when she booked a hotel room that was advertised as accessible but turned out to be far from it.
The narrow doorway made it difficult for her to enter with her wheelchair, and the bathroom was too small for her to maneuver.
This experience highlighted the importance of accurate and reliable information about accessibility and the need for businesses to make a genuine commitment to inclusion.

What We Learn:
- The importance of using accurate and reliable information about accessibility.
- The need for businesses to make a genuine commitment to inclusion.
- The power of sharing personal stories to illustrate the challenges people with disabilities face.

Story 2: The Inclusive Classroom
Jenna Gargels describes a classroom where students with and without disabilities learn and grow together.
The teacher uses a variety of teaching methods and materials to accommodate different learning styles, and all students are encouraged to participate and contribute.
This story demonstrates the benefits of inclusive education and how it can create a positive and equitable learning environment for all students.

What We Learn:
- The benefits of inclusive education for students with and without disabilities.
- The importance of using a variety of teaching methods and materials to accommodate different learning styles.
- The need to create a positive and equitable learning environment for all students.

Story 3: The Meaningful Job
Jenna Gargels shares the story of a person with a disability who found a meaningful job that allowed them to use their skills and talents.
The employer provided reasonable accommodations and created a supportive work environment that enabled the employee to succeed.
This story highlights the importance of inclusive hiring practices and the benefits of providing accommodations for employees with disabilities.

What We Learn:
- The importance of inclusive hiring practices.
- The benefits of providing reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
- The power of finding meaningful work that allows people with disabilities to use their skills and talents.

How to Support Inclusion and Accessibility
Jenna Gargels provides practical tips on how individuals and organizations can support inclusion and accessibility:

Individuals:
- Educate yourself about disability and the challenges people with disabilities face.
- Be open to interacting with people with disabilities and learning from their experiences.
- Advocate for inclusive policies and practices in your community, workplace, and school.

Organizations:
- Develop and implement inclusive policies and practices that welcome and accommodate people with disabilities.
- Provide training to staff on disability etiquette and inclusive communication.
- Make your website, physical spaces, and programs accessible to people with disabilities.

Conclusion
Jenna Gargels is a remarkable advocate who has dedicated her life to promoting inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities