Julia Bourgeois is the founder and executive director of Families for Inclusion, a nonprofit dedicated to making Southwest Louisiana more inclusive for people with disabilities. Through education, resources, partnerships and advocacy, she is helping create a community where children of all abilities can play, learn and belong.

Julia’s passion for inclusion began with her son, Brooks, who was born with spina bifida. As she learned to navigate the medical system and advocate for him, she noticed barriers she had never seen before, from playgrounds he couldn’t use to spaces that were technically accessible but still left him on the sidelines. Those experiences shaped her belief that accessible doesn’t always mean inclusive.

Through Families for Inclusion, Julia puts that belief into action by focusing on inclusive communities, education and play. She has helped families make their homes safer and more accessible, brought specialized training to local pediatric therapists and worked with community partners to make parks, events and public spaces more welcoming to children with disabilities. Her advocacy has influenced plans for an inclusive Lock Park, strengthened accessibility at the Children’s Museum and created more opportunities for children with disabilities to participate alongside their peers.

Julia began this work because she wanted Brooks to experience childhood without wondering whether there would be a place for him. Today, that vision extends to children and families across Southwest Louisiana. With every barrier removed, resource shared and space reimagined, she is helping build a community where inclusion is just a part of everyday life.