DIVERSE ABILITIES INCLUSION CONSULTING
Welcome to MERGE
ACCESS | Inclusion | Belonging
MERGE strengthens communities by guiding organizations and individuals in their commitment to
disability inclusion. We envision a culture where inclusion is woven into everyday programs and practices. Join us in creating welcoming environments where everyone thrives, fostering diversity, meaningful participation, and a true sense of belonging.
WHO WE SERVE
Where inclusion meets action.
At MERGE, we work with recreation and community-based organizations that serve the general public and are committed to becoming more inclusive. Our services help ensure that individuals of all abilities feel welcomed, actively engaged, and set up to succeed.
MERGE also partners with providers agencies that support people with disabilities and their families, offering guidance on accessing inclusive opportunities in the broader community.
MERGE Inclusion Consulting proudly partners with a wide range of organizations, both locally and across the country, to advance community inclusion efforts. Our collaborators include:
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National Youth-Serving Organizations: YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Jewish Community Centers (JCCs)
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Municipal Recreation Departments across Massachusetts and beyond
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Summer Camps and Afterschool Programs committed to inclusive enrichment
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Community-Based Sports Teams and Leagues, from youth soccer to adaptive fitness clubs
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Instructional Program Providers in fitness, the arts, and enrichment classes
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Faith-Based and Civic Organizations, including churches, libraries, Scouts, and first responder departments
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Town and City DEI Committees working to embed inclusion into policy and practice
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State Agencies and Provider Organizations serving individuals with disabilities and their families
ORGANIZATIONS WE WORK WITH
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
Meet Lisa Drennan, the visionary founder of MERGE Inclusion Consulting. With over 40 years of experience championing inclusion, Lisa is a nationally recognized leader and trailblazer in creating welcoming, accessible communities for individuals of all abilities.
Lisa Drennan’s career is defined by innovation, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion. She began her journey as a direct support professional and recreation director at New England Village (NEV) in Pembroke, MA, where her passion for wellness and enrichment led to the creation of the Sollar Wellness Center—a groundbreaking facility offering tailored opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. As a member of NEV’s Senior Leadership Team, Lisa played a key role in shaping the organization’s strategic vision and co-developed essential training tools, including the Positive Support Techniques guidelines and Best Practices for Instructors. Lisa’s impact continued as she became the first-ever Association Director of Inclusion at the South Shore YMCA in Norwell, MA. There, she transformed the inclusion initiative by leading the development of innovative programs, implementing organization-wide staff training, and embedding inclusive practices into the culture of the YMCA community. Her leadership reached the national level as Chairperson of the YMCA of the USA’s Diverse Abilities Working Group, where she advanced education, resources, and support across YMCAs nationwide. As the founder of MERGE Inclusion Consulting, Lisa brings her decades of experience to communities seeking to become truly inclusive. Her leadership extends to statewide efforts, including her role as an Advisory Board Member for the DDS and ARC of Massachusetts Pathways to Friendship Project, where she authored the Building Friendships toolkit—an essential resource for recreation and community professionals. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Adaptive Physical Activity at the University of Massachusetts Boston, mentoring the next generation of inclusive recreation professionals. Beyond her professional roles, Lisa is deeply committed to service, dedicating countless hours to volunteer work and community engagement. At MERGE, Lisa leads with vision, heart, and purpose—empowering organizations to create environments where individuals of all abilities are welcomed, included, and able to thrive.
What Does Inclusion Really Mean?
Discover what true inclusion looks like—and what it doesn’t. This short video explores how we can build cultures where people with disabilities feel welcomed, valued, and supported to belong.
Bonus: It was created by a talented neurodivergent student!
CONSULTATION
MERGE offers tailored services to meet the unique needs of your organization. Every partnership begins with a comprehensive evaluation to assess your current inclusion practices and identify opportunities for growth.
MERGE offers a range of services, including but not limited to:
Customized Staff Training
Interactive sessions for groups of 2 to 200, designed to enhance knowledge and practical skills in disability inclusion.
On-Site or Virtual Coaching
Individualized support for inclusion staff, program leaders, coaches, and instructors to help implement inclusive policies and strategies effectively.
Program Development Support
Guidance on creating inclusive procedures and adaptive tools to ensure meaningful participation for individuals of all abilities.
Marketing and Communications Consultation
Expert review of language and promotional strategies to ensure inclusive, welcoming communication across all platforms.
Workplace Support for Employers and HR Teams
Tools and guidance to engage, support, and supervise employees with diverse abilities, fostering a more inclusive workplace culture.
Accessibility Assessments
Comprehensive evaluations of programs, policies, procedures, and physical spaces conducted by a Certified Inclusion Accessibility Assessor, with a focus on inclusive design and ADA compliance.
On-Call Behavioral Support
Real-time coaching and observation to help staff respond effectively to behavioral challenges and build team confidence.
Keynotes & Presentations
Looking to inspire action and spark change at your next event?
MERGE Inclusion Consulting delivers powerful, engaging speaking engagements that blend lived experience, professional expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusion. Whether in person or virtual, our presentations energize audiences and equip them with real-world strategies to build more welcoming, accessible communities.
From national conferences to local panels, MERGE speakers leave a lasting impression—challenging assumptions, sharing practical tools, and shifting the conversation toward what’s possible when everyone is included.
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE CHOSEN MERGE
Diverse Abilities Profile
MERGE is committed to empowering recreation, camp, sport, and community programs to feel confident and equipped to successfully include individuals of all abilities.
The support MERGE provides is designed to benefit and promote the inclusion of children, teens, and adults with autism, developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities, as well as those who are neurodiverse or navigating mental health, medical, or social-emotional challenges. In short, we support anyone seeking to access and participate fully in community programs alongside their peers.
Commit to inclusion for all—contact MERGE today.
"Lisa led a 5-hour workshop during the Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change's Family Leadership series last weekend. It was the most engaging, participatory, and informative part of the training families with disabilities received that weekend! Lisa brings her enthusiasm for inclusion, a depth of knowledge about inclusive practices, decades of experience in recreational leadership...and makes her content accessible. Her workshop included multiple opportunities for small and large group conversation, self-reflection, and application of workshop content. My spouse and I left her workshop challenged to think more creatively about inclusive opportunities for our child and our community and determined to push the conversation forward within and beyond the disability community."
- Melissa Winchell, Parent
Asst. Professor of Secondary Education, Bridgewater State University
Founder of Inclusion Matters