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Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters

Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters

Hosted by: Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed.

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...

All Episodes

Episodes

32. Accessible Children's Books with Richard Rieman of Imagination Storybooks

In this episode, Diana interviews Richard Rieman, founder of Imagination Storybooks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing rich and fully accessible reading experiences to children who are blind, low vision,...
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31. Autism Siblings, Presumption of Competence & Spelling to Communicate with Danny & Tara Whitty

In this episode, Danny Whitty and his sister, Tara, talk with Diana about the importance ofĀ spelling to communicate, communication regulation partners, and their sibling relationship. This is an emotional episode, as...
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30. Embracing Disability Identity with Qudsiya Naqui

In This Episode Qudsiya Naqui Bio Diana interviews Qudsiya Naqui,Ā lawyer, disability justice activist, and podcast host of Down to the Struts. In this episode, Qudsiya shares about her journey to embracing her blind...
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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 pre-schooler. In...
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28. A Life of Disability Activism with Judith Heumann, aka "Chingona"

In This Episode In this episode,Ā Diana interviews her long-time favorite, internationally-known, badass disability rights activist, widely known as the "Mother of the Disability Rights Movement," Judy Heumann. They...
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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 to educators and...
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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, toĀ self-love. She shares how this has inspired her work, includingĀ children's book,...
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25. A Student's Journey to Access & Advocacy with Deanna Yadollahi

In this episode Deanna Parvin Yadollahi sharesĀ their journey of self-discovery, self-love, and ensuing advocacy for access, not just for themself, but for the range of diverse humans withinĀ their learning community,...
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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 Masterā€™s Program in Organizational Development and Leadership. She...
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23. Inclusive Schools with Megan Gross and Nancy Brundrett

Megan Gross 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, educators in the...
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22. "Inspiration Porn" with Dr. Toni Saia

Dr. Toni SaiaĀ Bio In this episode, Dr. Toni Saia defines "Inspiration Porn" and provides examples of common misconceptions about the disability experience that are perpetuated through popular inspirational comments,...
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21. Talking About Disability in Schools with Dr. Christa Bialka

Dr. Christa Bialka Bio 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 holds teachers back...
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