Redefining Advocacy: How Educators Can Influence Change

In this episode of Rewriting the Narrative, host Ben Tillotson sits down with Kim Knackstedt, principal consultant at Unlock Access LLC and a longtime leader in accessibility and disability policy. Kim shares her journey from special education teacher to national policymaker, opening up about her work to eliminate seclusion and restraint practices and her push to create more inclusive learning environments for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. They explore the often-overlooked political role educators play, how policy decisions shape classroom realities, and why every teacher is already an advocate—whether they realize it or not. Kim also breaks down the current legislative challenges around special education funding and highlights one of her proudest accomplishments: helping launch a federal effort to end subminimum wage for people with disabilities.

 

Rewriting the Narrative is produced by Association Briefings.