Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters
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 Are my disability awareness efforts outdated and offensive?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.
- Update frequency
- every 24 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 49
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
29. A Parent Perspective on Inclusion with Shubha Bala
In This Episode
So often there is a disconnect between what parents and students want and need, and what school systems offer students. In this episode, Diana talks with Shubha Bala, a parent of a pr…
28. A Life of Disability Activism with Judith Heumann, aka "Chingona"
In This Episode
In this episode, Diana interviews her long-time favorite, internationally-known, badass disability rights activist, widely known as the "Mother of the Disability Rights Movement," Jud…
27. Proud Stutter with Maya Chupkov
In This Episode
In this episode, Maya shares her journey to embracing her identity as a person who stutters and as a disabled person. She shares about her work in verbal diversity, and gives guidance…
26. From Self-Hate to Self-Love with Keah Brown
In this episode
Keah Brown shares about her journey from self-hate, rooted in a moment in time when another child made fun of her, to self-love. She shares how this has inspired her work, including c…
25. A Student's Journey to Access & Advocacy with Deanna Yadollahi
In this episode
Deanna Parvin Yadollahi shares their journey of self-discovery, self-love, and ensuing advocacy for access, not just for themself, but for the range of diverse humans within their lea…
24. Allies and Obstacles with Allison Carey, Pamela Block, and Richard Scotch
Allison C. Carey is a Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Shippensburg University and director of the Master’s Program in Organizational Development an…
23. Inclusive Schools with Megan Gross and Nancy Brundrett
In this episode, Diana shares a conversation about inclusive schools with Teacher on Special Assignment, Megan Gross, and Classified on Special Assignment, Nancy Brundrett…
22. "Inspiration Porn" with Dr. Toni Saia
In this episode, Dr. Toni Saia defines "Inspiration Porn" and provides examples of common misconceptions about the disability experience that are perpetuated through popular inspira…
21. Talking About Disability in Schools with Dr. Christa Bialka
In this episode, Diana Pastora Carson and Dr. Christa Bialka discuss what research tells us about how we do or do not discuss disability in our classrooms, as well as what hold…
20. Selecting Books for Disability Awareness
In this episode, Diana Pastora Carson shares her guidelines for selecting appropriate classroom books about disability in a way that aligns with Disability Studies in Education and the social model o…
19. Back to School Mindset Work for Going Beyond Awareness
In this episode, Diana Pastora Carson guides listeners through reflection of their perceptions of disability, and the results of having a negative outlook on disability vs. having a positive, respect…
18. Ableism in Education with Keith Jones
In this episode, Keith Jones takes us on a journey through past and present experiences of ableism in education, as well as the intersection of being Black as well as disabled. Keith …
17. The Right to Communication with Darlene Hanson
In this episode, Darlene takes us deep into the idea of the right to communication and what that means in terms of controversial AAC (augmentative and alter…
16. Presuming Competence with Jillian Parramore
Jillian Parramore has a B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences Liberal Studies, emphasizing Elementary Education and Bachelor's in Child Development with a credential.
Jillian has taught early childhood, …
15. Autism and Disability Justice with Dr. Sara Acevedo
Link to Dr. Sara Acevedo's Bio
Dr. Acevedo's Email Address: [email protected]
In this episode, Dr. Sara Acevedo gives us insight into the person-first and identity-first language debate, and expla…
14. Shifting Mindsets with Clare Killy
Clare Killy (she/her) is the Vice President of Digital Experiences at Aspire, a Chicagoland nonprofit focused on disability inclusion. She leads Aspire's DEI Consultation and Virtual Life Coaching te…
13. The Right to Be Disabled with Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift
Norman Kunc & Emma Van der Klift Bio
In this episode, Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift tell their stories as disabled people, and share the lessons they've learned about what it means to be disable…
12. Educational Equity & Civil Rights with Andy Imparato
In this episode, Diana chats with Andy Imparato, Executive Director of Disability Rights California, about educational equity and civil rights. During this robust conversation, An…
11. Black Disabled Representation with Leroy F. Moore
ABILITY Magazine Interview with Leroy Moore
In this episode, Diana chats with Leroy Moore about his personal journey that led to his passionate activism, and art, and his curr…
10. Disability as Diversity with Jonathan Mooney
Jonathan Mooney is a widely sought after speaker whose work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, HBO, NPR, ABC News, New York Magazine, The …