Episode #154: A Masterclass in Belonging: What a Baseball Game Taught Me About Inclusion
Discover the power of natural inclusion. Tonya Wollum shares a heartwarming reflection on community, belonging, and seeing children with disabilities seamlessly included in a small town community event.
Inclusion isn't a policy—it’s an atmosphere. Discover what a simple day at a small-town baseball game taught me about true belonging.
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Show Notes:
Inclusion isn’t a policy—it’s an atmosphere. Discover what a simple day at a small-town baseball game taught me about true belonging.
Is it possible for inclusion to be so seamless that you barely notice it’s happening? This week, I sat in the bleachers of a rural New York baseball game expecting a fun afternoon, but I walked away with a profound masterclass in what it means to truly belong. From children with noise-canceling headphones to those using mobility aids, everyone was simply part of the community—no labels, no separation. In this solo episode, we explore what “natural inclusion” looks like in 2026 and how we can foster more of these “bleacher moments” in our own lives.
Key Takeaways: “Inclusion at the Ballfield”
- Typical Kid First: By prioritizing the individual child over their diagnosis, we empower them to take part in community events—from cheering in the stands to chasing foul balls—just like any other child.
- Inclusion as an Atmosphere: True inclusion isn’t defined by formal policies or separate “special” spaces; it is a natural community atmosphere where everyone feels they belong exactly as they are.
- The “Bleacher Moment” Concept: Meaningful inclusion happens when children—regardless of their need for sensory support (like noise-canceling headphones), mobility aids, or one-on-one help—are able to participate in shared experiences without barriers or judgment.
- Shifting the Advocacy Goal: While formal accommodations are essential, the ultimate goal of advocacy is to make our environments so inherently welcoming that those accommodations feel seamless and integrated into daily life.
- Community Responsibility: Inclusion is not just the job of educators or parents; it is a community-wide practice. Simple gestures, like greeting others with warmth and sharing space without judgment, set the tone for belonging.
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Music Used:
“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
Tonya Wollum is an IEP Coach, podcast host, and disability advocate. She works one-on-one with parents to guide them to a peaceful partnership with their child’s IEP team, and she provides virtual mentors for special needs parents through the interviews she presents as the host of the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast. Tonya knows firsthand how difficult it is to know how to support your special needs child, and she seeks to provide knowledge to parents and caregivers as well as to those who support a family living life with a disability. She’s doing her part to help create a more inclusive world where we can celebrate what makes each person unique!
Episode #154: A Masterclass in Belonging: What a Baseball Game Taught Me About Inclusion
Inclusion isn’t a policy—it’s an atmosphere. Discover what a simple day at a small-town baseball game taught me about true belonging.
(Recorded June 7, 2026)
Full Transcript of Episode 154:
Tonya: Is it possible for inclusion to be so seamless that you barely notice it’s happening? I sat in the bleachers of a baseball game this week expecting a fun afternoon for my son, but what I found was a masterclass in belonging. No barriers, no labels, just a community sharing space together. Today, we’re looking at what natural inclusion really looks like in 2026.
Hi, everyone. Welcome to the Water Prairie Chronicles. I’m your host, Tonya Wollum, and I’m glad you’re here. Today I wanted to tell you about something that has been on my heart all weekend. I’m currently in Western New York supporting my son’s summer baseball team, and this past week I had the privilege of attending Kids Day at a local game. What I witnessed there wasn’t a formal workshop on inclusion. It was just life unfolding exactly as it should.
The scene was classic Americana, farmland, a small town crowd, and school groups everywhere. I found myself sitting near a woman who was the absolute life of the stands. She was cheering, chatting, and greeting every child who walked by with genuine warmth. She spoke openly about her involvement with Special Olympics, and it was beautiful to see how the community around her simply embraced her and shared the space without a hint of judgment.
But what really struck me as an IEP coach and a parent was the ease of it all. From my seat, I watched children, some with noise-canceling headphones, some with fidgets, others with mobility aids or one-on-one support, just being kids. They were rolling down grassy hills, chasing foul balls, and clamoring for autographs right alongside everyone else.
There was no special section. There were no barriers. Inclusion wasn’t a policy. It was the atmosphere. As I watched, I realized that we spend so much time advocating for accommodations, and yes, those are vital, but the goal is, and always should be, for those things to be so seamless that the child just feels like part of the community.
Today, I want to challenge you to look for those moments in your own community. Where are you seeing inclusion happen naturally? How can we foster more of these bleacher moments where everyone truly belongs?
If you’ve seen inclusion in action this week, I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a note or send me a DM @water.prairie on Instagram. Remember, let’s focus on the individual, not the diagnosis. Have a great week, and I’ll see you next time.
FAQ Section:
What is the “Typical Kid First” approach? It is a philosophy that prioritizes the child as an individual, focusing on their unique personality and role in the community rather than their diagnosis.
What does “natural inclusion” mean? It refers to environments where individuals with disabilities are included in activities seamlessly without the need for segregated “special” areas or forced attention.
How can I find more inclusive environments for my child? Look for community-led events like local sports, farmers’ markets, or parks where the culture is focused on shared experience rather than specific programs.
Why is seamless accommodation better than formal ones? While formal accommodations are vital, seamless integration helps children feel like part of the group rather than an “add-on,” which fosters a greater sense of belonging.
How can I encourage my community to be more inclusive? Start by participating, being visible, and modeling openness. When you greet others without judgment, you help set a tone of acceptance for those around you.
