Mikaylas Voice

We seek to inspire and empower children to be the voice of inclusion for everyone and show our world a better way. Our organization is unique, and we are proud of our differences. Mikayla’s Voice is the only local non-profit organization in our area, and one of a just a handful in Pennsylvania, focused on inclusion for people with disabilities. Other state and national groups are primarily centered on inclusion in education and/or employment, while we focus on inclusion in all aspects of life. But what really sets us apart is our commitment to empower children and young adults to lead our efforts toward a culture of greater inclusion.

Mikayla was brain injured at birth resulting in profound physical and intellectual disabilities, including her inability to speak. Despite the severity of Mikayla’s disabilities, her family always strived to give her as normal a life as possible and requested that Mikayla be included in regular education classes at the same school her younger sister would later attend. Her attendance was the most important factor in her ability, and the ability of her family, to move forward, and ultimately benefitted everyone. She matriculated through the Nazareth Area School District, remaining fully included at the intermediate, middle and high schools. She graduated with her class in 2014, but not before having silently taught her friends some most valuable life lessons. According to former Superintendent, Victor Lesky, “The Nazareth Area School District was so lucky to share Mikayla’s life during her journey through school. She provided so much love and inspiration, much more than we could ever return to her.”

Children have always been the most accepting of Mikayla’s disabilities and this generation has an important message to share. For too many years, people with disabilities have been excluded from social, educational and employment opportunities. Most adults remember when all children with disabilities were placed in separate classrooms or schools. Through increased inclusive practices in our schools and communities, our children have been blessed with greater appreciation for and friendships with children with disabilities. Mikayla’s Voice was founded on the belief that children are in the best position to teach our community about the importance of inclusion. Our children are our future and we are proud to let them lead by example, teaching others to celebrate diversity, embrace individuals of all abilities., and show kindness to all. This builds their self-confidence, empowers them to stand up for what they believe and encourages their growth into adults who to continue to advocate for inclusion.

Children are our future, Mikayla’s Voice was founded to let them lead by example today: teaching others to celebrate diversity, embrace individuals of all abilities, and show kindness to all.

They are Mikayla’s Voice.

Mikayla’s Voice has developed and coordinates three inclusive programming initiatives: one each in the arts, education, and sports and recreation. All are well established, have enjoyed significant growth, and are positioned for even greater success. Each allows kids of all abilities to enjoy and demonstrate successful inclusion as they work and play together. Fear can be the biggest barrier to inclusion so we talk openly about differences, providing honest answers to any and all questions the children may have. As they become comfortable together, develop strategies to include everyone, and establish genuine friendships, they teach others to do the same. Our unique and innovative programming gives children the opportunity to educate their communities and create cultural change as they prove inclusion is possible in all aspects of life.

We have published four books written and illustrated by children for other kids about having a friend with a disability. Brady is challenged by autism, Mikayla was born with a brain injury, Jeffrey has Down syndrome, and Dot has a yellow spot, but these books are about much more than their main characters or their disabilities. They are about friendship. And kindness. Invaluable messages for kids of all ages and abilities.

Our Inclusion Assemblies introduce valuable dialogue that can be continued, demonstrating children’s capacity for understanding, acceptance and compassion. Facilitated with the help of a child or young adult with a disability, these assemblies begin by sharing the book Our Friend Mikayla to provide background knowledge about having a disability. After sharing their own stories and photos, the hosts’ field questions about Mikayla’s and their own personal experiences. All questions are welcome and encouraged to ease any remaining apprehension and foster greater inclusion, kindness, and friendship. Each assembly concludes with an invitation for all students to serve as Mikayla’s “Voice.”

Children paint not with brushes, but with the wheels of a wheelchair (or walker) and the paws (and tail) of a service dog in our unique art program. Wheels of Friendship® has expanded to represent and include those with deafness or hearing impairment, by adding sign language with cutout handprints. We have also featured braille and diverse textures made by, appreciated by, and symbolizing people with blindness or visual impairment. Finished paintings are unveiled at school-wide presentations and remain on permanent display in the schools where they were created.

Tri for Inclusion is our inclusive youth triathlon but is much more than a race. It is a priceless opportunity for all kids and young adults, and an important message for our entire community. Kids of all abilities compete side-by-side and together in something they had likely not dreamed possible or ever planned to do and show our entire community that there is always a way to include everyone in everything.

Mikayla's Voice has hired an experienced non-profit Executive Director with a proven track record of developing inclusive programs, scaling them up and increasing revenue and market share.

Mikayla's Voice Founder and Director of Innovation and Fun continues to develop unique programs and services not currently available in the non profit organization space.

Our organization has taken advantage of the pandemic shutdown and created equally engaging virtual inclusion assemblies. This platform has no geographic boundaries and can reach even wider audiences. We have developed a second Wheels of Friendship collaborative art project that can be delivered in school or at home.

Assembly co-presenters are youth with disabilities who share their messages of inclusion. Mikayla's Voice has made the commitment to pay the co-presenters a prevailing wage for their services.

Mikayla's Voice board and Executive staff has completed a DEI policy and has recruited additional board members with diverse backgrounds, bringing an even bigger inclusive focus to our efforts.

We are proud of our programs, their ingenuity, quality, and the integrity with which they are delivered. Our inclusive programming is always unique and innovative ~ never a duplication of services. And, in keeping with the importance and value we place on our message and children, we never sacrifice quality. We publish our children’s books as hard cover library bound editions not only to ensure a durable product for schools, but to underscore the importance of the authors’ message. Likewise, we purchase quality supplies for their artwork, and substantial medals for all triathletes. Quality matters. It sends a message. All kids deserve the very best. And will get nothing less from Mikayla’s Voice. We give every child our attention, honesty, patience, and respect. Always.

Accordingly, Mikayla’s Voice has enjoyed much success including:
• Three completely innovative first-of-their-kind before programs
• Delivery of 206 inclusion assemblies to over 65,000 students.
• Inclusive art projects conducted with 2647 student artists in 55 schools.
• Four books written and illustrated by kids for kids.
• Over 6200 books donated to school and classrooms.
• Over 600 athletes have participated in our truly inclusive sports event.