Opening Doors – Ideas that Matter

Opening Doors Reading…

Audio File of the Micah-Lynn Event on Opening Doors

Emma Filaka-Feldman – Micah’s sister – reflects on why this is an important book for all of us.

Mini Biographies – Micah and Lynn

Micah Fialka-Feldman is a national speaker, self-advocate and pioneer who fights for disability justice and inclusion. He is part of the first wave of adults with intellectual disabilities who attended college and has been fully included in school and community. Micah earned a Certificate in Disability Studies at Syracuse University in 2015 through InclusiveU. He is a Teaching Assistant at SU’s School of Education and works at the Taishoff Center as the Outreach Coordinator. In May 2014, Micah was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Lynn Albee lives and works in Minnesota with my husband Brodie, and our children Madelynn, Isabelle and Connor. Micah and I  began writing this book around 2015. Over many years, the book has taken on a life of its own. I am honored that this book allows people to read about how inclusion can be a natural part of life, and it’s so much more fun that way! I (Lynn) met Micah in 2008 in New York City at a “Disability Studies in Education” conference. We’re the same age, and Micah let me write my dissertation about his story from when he was in college at Oakland University. I love working in education because I get to teach people about inclusion. I teach future teachers and even police officers about the importance of understanding disabilities in their work and how to create inclusive environments. Understanding disabilities in their work and how to create inclusive environments, I think this book is important because Micah has worked very hard to show that inclusion works. When a community supports each other, great things can happen. It shows teachers that people can make their dreams come true through inclusion. Micah’s story of opening doors is ever-evolving.