Guests: Jenna Ignaczak, Malka Finkelstein, and Maddie Sardone — Student leaders from the Neurodiversity Students Association (NDSA) at Toronto Metropolitan University discuss what it truly means to be a neurodivergent student in post-secondary education today.
In this powerful episode of The Neurodiversity Voices, host Paul Cruz hands the mic to Hussein and Zion, two university students from the Venture for Canada entrepreneurship program. They sit down with three student leaders from the Neurodiversity Students Association (NDSA) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to explore what it really means to create a neurodivergent-friendly campus.
You’ll hear honest, deeply personal stories about masking, accessibility, academic barriers, and the emotional toll of constantly self-advocating. You’ll also hear hopeful visions for a future where equity, not just equality, guides how universities support their students.
Together, they share stories of inclusion, moments of isolation, experiences with ableism, and insights into how universities can better support neurodivergent students. The conversation dives into policy challenges, mental health, masking, equity vs. equality, and the importance of community.
Whether you’re a student, educator, ally, or policymaker, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and motivated to advocate for a more inclusive future in higher education.
Quotes to Remember:
“It’s not about equality, it’s about equity.” – Malka
“We don’t know what we don’t know. Ask students what they need.” – Jenna
“It’s easier to get rid of us than support us. That’s the problem.” – Maddie
Neurodiversity Students Association, Toronto Metropolitan University
Instagram: @tmu_ndsa
This episode also features a special clip from "Telos: A Neurodiversity Conversation," a youth-led podcast hosted by autistic teen Ares Wren.
Featured Clip: Telos – A Neurodiversity Conversation
We open with a segment from the podcast Telos, in the episode “In Neurodiversity: Why Race, Culture, and Language Matter.” The clip explores:
You can listen to this full Telos episode on their feed https://anchor.fm/s/fc565318/podcast/rss
Host & Producer:
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