Is it appropriate to talk about disability? Is there a way to respectfully talk about disability? What words do I use when talking about disability? How do I teach kids about disability? Why do I feel awkward when I talk about disability? Are my disability awareness efforts outdated and offensive? Or are they aligned with disability research, allyship, and inclusion? Are there any quick and easy, and good resources out there to teach me about disability? Is disability awareness necessarily connected to conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion? How can I be sure that I'm not teaching disability awareness from an ableist perspective?
Diana brings in speakers to answer these questions and more during inclusive, socially responsive conversations.
This is a forum for special education and general education teachers, parents, and community members who want to promote disability awareness from a progressive, dignifying, social justice, and diversity appreciation perspective.
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49. Beyond Inclusion: Rightful Presence with Kristin Wright
Thursday, June 26, 2025 • Duration 52:14
In this powerful episode of Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson is joined by Kristin Wright, Executive Director of Inclusive Practices at the Sacramento County Office of Education. Drawing from her deep personal and professional experiences—as a former California State Director of Special Education and the mother of a daughter with disabilities—Kristin shares her “why” for dedicating her life to the work of inclusion, belonging, and rightful presence. The conversation explores the harmful persistence of the medical model in education, the importance of shifting mindsets from exclusion to rightful presence, and how inclusion must be viewed not as charity, but as a fundamental human right. Kristin also offers candid reflections on systemic ableism, the political threats to essential protections like Medicaid and Section 504, and the urgent need for collective advocacy. This episode is a heartfelt call to action for educators, families, and policymakers to reimagine inclusive education as not only possible, but necessary.
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
48. Inclusion...Now What? With MCIE's Carolyn Teigland & Tim Villegas
Monday, March 24, 2025 • Duration 46:06
In this episode of Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson has a conversation with Carolyn Teigland, Chief Executive Officer, and Tim Villegas, Director of Communications, of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE). They discuss changes in the priorities of the federal administration, what it means for disability rights, for inclusive educational opportunities, and what we can do going forward as families and educators. They also recommend following the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, as well as the Council for Exceptional Children for facts-based information, news, and advocacy.
In this podcast episode of Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson has a conversation with author, educator, podcaster, and parent, Kayla Coburn of Inclusion Starts Now. Not only do they discuss inclusion in schools, but also what parents can do to raise inclusive-minded children. Check out the links below to see all that Kayla has to offer
46. A Chat with Chet Cooper, ABILITY Magazine Founder
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 • Duration 50:17
In this podcast episode of Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson interviews Chet Cooper, founder of ABILITY Magazine. This was a fun interview between friends. But also a glimpse into the historical obstacles that have existed in the areas of housing, employment, and representation in entertainment for people with disabilities; as well as the ableism that has been the foundation for those obstacles that still exist today. Chet Cooper, a professional interviewer, turned the tables at the end of the interview with an important impromptu question for Diana. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did, and take away the gems within.
Guest Information
Chet Cooper - Social Entrepreneur, Advocate, Public Speaker, Publisher, Author
In this episode, Diana and Paula discuss their passion for inclusion, and the relentless work of Dr. Paula Kluth as an author, mentor, coach, and speaker, advocating for and empowering educators with strategies for inclusion. Paula shares countless resources to support educators committed to ensuring access to curriculum and relationships for all students. Paula's work has been a beacon of hope for many educators wanting to make classrooms welcoming places for all students.
In this episode, Diana Pastora Carson, educator, consultant, and public speaker, shares the audio format of her AwareNow Magazine article entitled "Almost Heaven". This article demonstrates the consequences of dehumanizing practices in autism and developmental disabilities (such as abuse and institutionalization), vs. respectful and accommodating ways to be with people and allow them to be themselves. This episode is for educators who strive for inclusive practices, as well as families of children (and adults) with disabilities.
Thank you to AwareNow Magazine for amplifying our story through your extraordinary media resource. We appreciate the opportunity.
In this solo episode, Diana Pastora Carson, educator, consultant, and public speaker, discusses the distinction between disability awareness and access awareness, and the critical, long-term importance of focusing on barriers and access vs specific disability labels. Teachers, parents, clergy, anyone who strives to make the world a better place by leading disability awareness in schools and in the community, should listen to this first.
In this episode, Diana and Savitha discuss the value and importance of occupational therapists roles in inclusive education vs. the traditional roles of occupational therapists in schools. Savitha sees her OT role as a "participation access interventionist," as opposed to a deficit remediator. She also believes that access advocacy is a key to occupational justice.
In this episode, Diana and Dr. Goff discuss his memoir, Love Is A Classroom, the value of early childhood inclusion, and cultural humility with families. They also discuss the dissonance between district policies and the love and understanding for learners and their families that is based in relationships between classroom teachers and those they serve, and the difference that good leadership can make. Andrew brings up the distinctions between mindset, heartset, and skillset, and encourages listeners to remember the importance of focusing on all three in inclusive schools. Finally, Diana and Andrew discuss ways to maintain balance in our lives as inclusive educators.
In this episode, Diana and Dr. Brenneise discuss the distinctions between instructional communication, communication education, and critical communication pedagogy. They also discuss the need for disability literacy as well as universal design for learning as a means for shifting mindsets, teaching to the margins, and advancing societal inclusion of people with disabilities.
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity in K-12 Schools & Communities
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
Podcast cover image description: Black and white photograph of Diana, a Spanish-American woman with long, wavy, brown hair. She is wearing a flowy, white blouse and smiles at camera as she leans against wooden building. Photo is colorfully framed with gold and orange rays of seeming sunshine on top half, and with solid sage green color on bottom half. Text reads "Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed."
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