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. 

AwareNow Magazine The Outside Edition

Diana's Blog Post of Almost Heaven Article

YouTube Video of Diana and Joaquin Singing "Country Roads"

YouTube Video of Joaquin's Reaction to Leaving the Institution

Diana's Website, including blog

Free Resource - 5 Keys to Going Beyond Awareness 

Free Resource - How to Talk with Kids about Disability

Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity in K-12 Schools & Communities - Diana's Book

Ed Roberts: Champion of Disability Rights - Diana's Children's Book

Ed Roberts: Champion of Disability Rights Thematic Unit/ Disability History Lesson Plans

"Beyond Awareness" Digital Course

Diana's TEDx Talk

Beyond Awareness Facebook Page

Diana on Instagram

Beyond Awareness Tote Bag 

Beyond Awareness Pullover Hoodie

Beyond Awareness Raglan Baseball T-Shirt

Beyond Awareness Journal/Notebook

Diana's Teachers Pay Teachers Store - Disability as Diversity

Diana's Trifold Laminated Resource: Beyond Disability Awareness: An Educator's Guide, Published by National Professional Resources, Inc. (NPR, Inc.)

Intro and outro music courtesy of Emmanuel Castro.

Podcast cover photo by Rachel Schlesinger Photography.

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."