May 15, 2025

Creating Inclusive Spaces: Disability Advocacy, Outdoor Access, and Inclusion in Your Community

Creating Inclusive Spaces: Disability Advocacy, Outdoor Access, and Inclusion in Your Community Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series. In today's episode, we sit down with Jenna Udenberg, an inspiring disability advocate, accessibility educator, and author of the book Within My Spokes. Growing up in the rugged beauty of northern Minnesota, Jenna’s journey has been shaped by her early diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and a lifetime of navigating—and working to improve—ac...

Creating Inclusive Spaces: Disability Advocacy, Outdoor Access, and Inclusion in Your Community

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series. In today's episode, we sit down with Jenna Udenberg, an inspiring disability advocate, accessibility educator, and author of the book Within My Spokes.

Growing up in the rugged beauty of northern Minnesota, Jenna’s journey has been shaped by her early diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and a lifetime of navigating—and working to improve—accessibility in her community.

Jenna shares how her love of the outdoors, music, and resilient spirit led her from being a band director to founding her nonprofit, Above and Beyond with You. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs she faced as a wheelchair user in a rural setting, the evolution of accessibility in her hometown of Two Harbors, and her drive to ensure everyone can enjoy nature’s wonders.

DISCUSSION

00:00 "Introductions"

03:22 Overcoming Trauma Through Music

09:25 "Supportive Band Teachers' Impact"

10:02 Adaptation Challenges in Education

14:12 Improving Accessibility Conversations

17:28 Adaptive Outdoor Exploration

22:15 Community Connection Through Stories

24:13 "True Accessibility Needs Better Communication"

27:55 Embracing the Book Writing Journey

33:04 Enhancing Accessibility in Storytelling

37:21 "Embrace Curiosity and Overcome Labels"

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Jenna and her work, visit her website at https://www.aboveandbeyondwithu.org/ and follow her on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091881005060

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboveandbeyondwithu/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/above-beyond-with-u/

Click here to pick up a copy of Jenna's book, " Within My Spokes: A Tapestry of Pain, Growth & Freedom 

NEXT STEPS

If you enjoy podcasts devoted to outdoor adventure, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com . We welcome likes, comments, and shares.

KEYWORDS

Jenna Udenberg, Accessibility, Disability, Diversity & Inclusion, Author, Two Harbors, Howard Fox, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast, PodMatch

#JennaUdenberg #OutdoorAccessibility #Disability #DiversityAndInclusion #Author #TwoHarborsMN #OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast #PodMatch

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