Oct. 18, 2025

Empowering Inclusion: Drew Ann Long’s Journey with Caroline’s Cart

Empowering Inclusion: Drew Ann Long’s Journey with Caroline’s Cart
Apple Podcasts podcast player badge
Spotify podcast player badge
Castro podcast player badge
RSS Feed podcast player badge
Apple Podcasts podcast player icon Spotify podcast player icon Castro podcast player icon RSS Feed podcast player icon

Welcome to The Jeff Bradbury Show, featuring conversations with the creators who are shaping the future of learning. In this inspiring conversation, Drew Ann Long shares her journey as a mother of a child with special needs and the creation of Caroline's Cart, a shopping cart designed for individuals with disabilities. She discusses the challenges she faced in manufacturing, the importance of community support, and the impact of her advocacy on families. Drew emphasizes the need to own one's journey and the ripple effect of fighting for inclusion and accessibility. They discuss the journey of building a brand that matters, the lessons learned from [Specific Challenge Guest Faced], and the strategies [Guest Name] used to create a lasting impact on the world of education.

Become a High-Impact Leader:

This episode is just the beginning. To get the complete blueprint for designing and implementing high-impact systems in your district, get your copy of my book, "Impact Standards."
  • Strategic Vision for Digital Learning:Learn how to create a district-wide vision that aligns digital learning with your educational goals, transforming how standards-based instruction is designed and supported.
  • Curriculum Design and Implementation:Discover practical strategies for integrating digital learning into existing curricula, creating vertical alignment of skills, and mapping digital learning across grade levels.
  • Effective Instructional Coaching:Master the art of coaching people rather than technology, building relationships that drive success, and measuring impact through student engagement rather than just technology usage.

Purchase your copy of “Impact Standards” on Amazon today!

Key Takeaways:

  • Drew Ann Long invented Caroline's Cart, a shopping cart designed for individuals with special needs.
  • Raising a child with disabilities requires significant life adjustments.
  • Community support plays a vital role for parents of children with disabilities.
  • Drew overcame substantial obstacles in manufacturing Caroline's Cart.
  • Corporate America frequently overlooks the needs of the special needs community.
  • Drew's story highlights the power of persistence and unwavering belief in one's mission.
  • "No" is merely a word—don't allow it to limit your potential.
  • Drew urges parents to embrace their journey and advocate for their children's needs.
  • Individual advocacy creates ripple effects that benefit the broader community.
  • Drew's journey offers inspiration for both parents and entrepreneurs.

Chapters:

  • 00:00Introduction to Drew Ann Long and Caroline's Cart
  • 02:12Drew's Journey into Special Needs Parenting
  • 10:00The Introduction of Caroline's Cart
  • 18:48Overcoming Challenges in Manufacturing
  • 25:57The Impact of Caroline's Cart on Families
  • 33:29Inspiration and Advice for Parents and Entrepreneurs
  • 34:17Introduction to the Jeff Bradbury Show
  • 34:47The Importance of Amplifying Impact

About our Guest: Drew Ann Long

Drew Ann Long is the inventor of Caroline’s Cart, a game-changing, patented, special-needs shopping cart designed to provide an inclusive and accessible shopping experience for individuals with special needs. Inspired by her daughter Caroline, who has special needs and could not use a traditional cart, Drew Ann took matters into her own hands—sketching her first idea on a napkin and eventually bringing the patented design to life. Today, Caroline’s Cart is in retailers across all 50 states and eight countries, used by families, caregivers, senior adults, and stores committed to inclusion, accessibility and dignity. A former stay-at-home mom with no background in engineering or manufacturing, Drew Ann’s journey is one of remarkable grit and innovation. She navigated the complex world of product development, patents, brand building, and production —ultimately launching and leading a nationwide grassroots movement that challenged retailers to think differently about inclusion. Her story has been featured on Today, CNN, Inside Edition, and CBS News, and she has earned recognition from Walmart, Target, Michelle Obama, and advocacy groups across the U.S. Now an inspirational speaker and founder of her nonprofit Caroline’s Cause, Drew Ann brings her story to the stage to empower and challenge audiences to lead with empathy, persevere through adversity, and prioritize inclusion in everyday life and business. Her authenticity, purpose-driven innovation, and ability to connect make her a sought-after voice in conversations about caregiving, special needs advocacy, and real-world impact.

Links of Interest


Let’s Work Together


Follow on Social Media


Subscribe to This Podcast


Check Out Additional TeacherCast Programming


Book Jeff for your Next Event

Jeff Bradbury (ISTE “20 to Watch” Award Winner and ISTE Certified Educator) is available for keynote speaking, workshop facilitation, and live event broadcasting. With expertise in educational technology and professional development, Jeff brings engaging content and practical strategies to conferences and professional learning events.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ [gravityform id="2" title="true"]