Grounded in Law and Lived Practice
Access in Action translates federal disability law and state guidance into plain language that nonprofit and OST professionals can actually use. Participants learn what the law requires and how to apply it responsibly in real program settings.
Designed for Systems, Not Individuals
This course centers systems design, policies, routines, communication, and shared responsibility, so inclusion does not depend on individual goodwill alone. Tools and frameworks are designed to be revisited, documented, and sustained over time.
Practical Tools for Real Organizations
Participants leave with structured guidance, reflection prompts, and an Inclusion Action Plan that supports implementation across teams. The focus is on what works in real nonprofit and community-based environments.
About the course
Access in Action is a self-paced professional learning course designed to help nonprofit, community based, and out-of-school-time (OST) organizations build inclusive systems that meaningfully support children with disabilities and their families. This course responds to a common gap in nonprofit and OST settings: staff are often deeply committed to inclusion but lack clear, practical guidance on how to design systems that meet legal requirements, support families, and remain sustainable over time. Grounded in federal disability law (IDEA, ADA, and Section 504) and peer reviewed research, Access in Action translates complex policy and theory into plain-language, actionable practice. While rooted in Maryland standards, the course is applicable and adaptable to nonprofit and community programs nationwide. Rather than focusing on individual accommodations alone, Access in Action emphasizes systems-level inclusion, how policies, routines, communication practices, and leadership structures either create access or unintentionally create barriers. Participants are guided to examine how inclusion shows up across their organization, from onboarding and documentation to family communication and daily program operations. Throughout the course, learners engage with: Clear explanations of disability rights and responsibilities Real-world nonprofit and OST examples Practical strategies for inclusive program design Tools that support reflection, planning, and implementation A framework for sustaining inclusive practice beyond a single training Access in Action is designed for leaders, staff, and boards who want to move beyond intention and toward responsible, consistent, and community centered inclusion.
Shawna R. McMillan
Shawna R. McMillan is an education advocate, nonprofit leader, and systems-focused educator based in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Navigating Advocacy for Meaningful Education (N.A.M.E.), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equitable access, disability inclusion, and meaningful family partnership in education and community based programs. With professional experience spanning K–12 education, out-of-school-time (OST) programming, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy, Shawna brings a rare combination of research expertise and on-the-ground practice. Her work centers on helping organizations move beyond intention and toward systems that can responsibly support children with disabilities and their families over time. Shawna is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership with a focus on inclusion, systems change, and the role of community-based organizations in advancing equity. Her research and professional practice are grounded in IDEA, ADA, and Section 504, as well as peer-reviewed scholarship on inclusive leadership, organizational design, and family engagement. Based in Baltimore, Shawna works closely with nonprofit organizations, OST providers, and families across the city and the broader DMV region, supporting organizations in building inclusive practices that are legally sound, culturally responsive, and sustainable. Access in Action reflects Shawna’s core belief: Inclusion should not depend on individual heroics. It should be built into the systems meant to serve our communities.
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Intellectual Property & Use Notice Access in Action™ is a proprietary professional learning curriculum owned by Navigating Advocacy for Meaningful Education, Inc. Enrollment grants a limited, non-transferable license for individual professional development only. Reproduction, redistribution, facilitation, or organizational use without a valid license is prohibited.