choose the infinite possibilities to create a more inclusive society where we see value and dignity in all people
This is a Q&A with my mom, Kris Schulze, in honor of Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week. As some of you might know, one of my teachers was my mom who homeschooled me half days from 3rd to 6th grade. I know there are a lot of parents who are helping their kids learn… Continue reading Thank you, mom
These are the books that I have read or am reading while staying home: I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall is a survival story about a teenager who is trying to survive the Alaskan wilderness alone. It’s a brilliant book if you like the Hunger Games and if you want to read about… Continue reading Books to read
Guess what? Today is my four-year blog-versary. So, I have changed the theme, design, whatever it is to the website. The reason why I changed my design is it felt like a change was needed. And, what else to do when I’m stuck at home. Tour of the new site I created a static home… Continue reading 4-year anniversary of Justin Smith Writes
I am now an official Minnesotan – not only born here but finally have gone to First Avenue! Thanks so much to the Current for the invite and tickets for their 15th Anniversary bash. I got to see a bunch of bands including 26 BATS!, MaLLy, Seratones, The Bad Man, and Grammy-nominated Black Pumas. It was… Continue reading First Time @ First Ave
On Monday, I went to the Legislative Forum sponsored by the Minnesota Council on Disability. Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan were both there - the first time that a Governor or Lt. Governor has come to this Legislative Forum. It was also great to hear from the legislators who were there to talk about… Continue reading Seat at the table in #OneMinnesota
Wait, what? Ok, this was a big awesome week! Unbelievably big and awesome! Who knew when I wrote my last post about seeing Maggie Rogers and accessibility at the Armory, that Mary Lucia from Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current would reach out and ask to interview me? Of course, I said yes – anything to… Continue reading Talking Accessibility @ The Current
I am honored to be featured in Microsoft’s Inclusion in Action video series because it shows how I use technology to share my voice with the world and just how important technology is for me every single day of my life. The video of me is being released on Monday, 10/30/17 at 11:00 CST. If you found my blog… Continue reading Inclusion in Action
Here are the kinds of questions that people have asked me about or sometimes have not asked because they might think it’s not okay. Again, this is from my perspective. Others with disabilities will have different opinions. Just ask people what works best for them. What do you do? As a nineteen-year old man with a disability, I… Continue reading Frequently Asked and Unasked Questions
Ready for some hotdish? I have been busy working on my presentation for the MN Capitol Grand Opening. I am excited to be presenting on a Hotdish Panel with Dr. Colleen Wieck from the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. The title of our presentation is Remembering the Past and Reimagining the Future: Living with a Disability. Hope… Continue reading Hotdish Panel at Capitol Grand Opening on August 13, 2017
Inclusion in School and Life I had fun presenting Inclusion in School and Life at the Minnesota Department of Education’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Event on May 18th. My mom and I talked about the importance of inclusion, barriers I encountered in school, the importance of accessible curriculum and materials, and success stories from this past… Continue reading Random Thoughts
