Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters

By Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed.Society & Culture Education Courses

Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters episodes

January 3151. Storytelling, Identity, & Creating Safe Spaces for Belonging with Tiffany Hammond
Episode Summary
In this episode, Diana Pastora Carson talks with Tiffany Hammond—autistic advocate, creator of Fidgets & Fries, and author of the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book A Day with No Words. Tiffany shares why she leads with stories instead of stats, how online “purity tests” can erase nuance, and what true access looks like when we presume competence and make room for multiple ways of communicating. Together, they explore disability identity, language, safety, and belonging—especially for nonspeaking autistic people and for families navigating systems that often punish difference. Tiffany leaves listeners with a clear reminder: everyone has a place.
About the Guest
Tiffany Hammond is an autistic author and advocate known for her platform Fidgets & Fries and her work uplifting disability justice, communication access, and authentic belonging. She is the author of A Day with No Words.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Why Tiffany uses storytelling to shift disability understanding and fight dehumanization
How to think about AAC and nonspeaking communication without pity or “inspiration” tropes
Why “language wars” miss the point—and what to focus on instead
The real-world consequences of disability disclosure, identity, and safety
What it means to create communities where people don’t have to “earn” belonging
Quotes
“Stories move people in ways statistics can’t.”
“Everyone has a place.”
“Communication is communication—speech isn’t the only valid form.”
Resources & Links
Tiffany Hammond
Website: https://www.tiffanyhammond.com/
About: https://www.tiffanyhammond.com/about
Substack (Tiffy, In Bloom): https://tiffyinbloom.substack.com/
Books
A Day with No Words (publisher page): https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/day-with-no-words-9781547619351/
A Day with No Words (book site): https://www.adaywithnowords.com/
Featured / Mentioned
ABILITY Magazine (sponsor): https://abilitymagazine.com/
National Professional Resources / Beyond Disability Awareness (referenced): https://nprinc.com/beyond-disability-awareness/

Listener Takeaway
If we want “disability awareness” to stop reinforcing old tropes, we have to move beyond feel-good lessons and toward access—including access to communication, dignity, and community that doesn’t require people to perform or prove their worth
Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
54 min
November 21, 2025 50. Advocacy, Accessibility, Ableism, and Alcoholism with El Chueco, Miguel Lugo
In this rich and fun conversation on Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana Pastora Carson is joined by Miguel "El Chueco" Lugo. Miguel is a disability rights activist and a comedian based in Los Angeles, California. Miguel shares his experiences with accessibility in Mexico compared to the US; dating and romance; the value of Medicaid in life quality for him and others; stories of ableism in his life; what his mother and teachers did right, and his struggle with alcoholism as opposed to cerebral palsy.
Guest Information
El Cheuco, Miguel Lugo

Links to Resources Mentioned
Disability Voices United
My Reality Video
Es De Noche Y Ya Llegue
Medicaid Cuts
Vicente Fernandez

Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
48 min
June 26, 2025 49. Beyond Inclusion: Rightful Presence with Kristin Wright
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.
Guest Information
Kristin Wright

Links to Resources Mentioned

TIES Center
Disability Voices United
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Parents Helping Parents
Disability Rights California
Rightful Presence
Judy Heumann
Chaeli Mycroft
Angela Van Ostran Free ASL Classes (Email Diana for details - [email protected])
Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."

53 min
March 24, 2025 48. Inclusion...Now What? With MCIE's Carolyn Teigland & Tim Villegas
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.

Guest Information
Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education
Tim Villegas
Carolyn Teigland

Links Mentioned
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
Denise Marshall and Selene Almazan
Council for Exceptional Children

Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
47 min
February 10, 2025 47. Raising Inclusive Kids with Kayla Coburn
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

Guest Information
Kayla Coburn Bio

Links Mentioned
Kayla Coburn Children's Books
Inclusion Starts Now Podcast

Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
43 min
January 28, 2025 46. A Chat with Chet Cooper, ABILITY Magazine Founder
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
ABILITY Magazine
ABILITY Corps

Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
51 min
December 11, 2024 45. UDL, Inclusion, and Co-Teaching with Dr. Paula Kluth
Dr. Paula Kluth Bio
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.

People and Sources Mentioned

InclusionRules.com
Paula's Books
Co-Teaching Kickoff
Inclusion Rules Videos
Dr. Anne Donnellan
Dr. Lou Brown
Dr. Cheryl Jorgensen
Dr. Patrick Schwarz
Dr. Julie Causton

Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
1 hr 4 min
October 26, 2024 44. "Almost Heaven" AwareNow Magazine Article Audio by Diana Pastora Carson
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.
Related Links
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

Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
18 min
October 09, 2024 43. Disability Awareness vs. Access Awareness
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.

Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
17 min
September 21, 2024 42. Occupational Therapy in Inclusive Education with Savitha Sundar
Savitha Sundar Bio
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.

People and Sources Mentioned
Inclusive Occupations Podcast
[email protected]
Dr. Shelley Moore - (One Without the Other)
Dr.George Dei Quote - "Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists. It's making a better space for everyone."
Unknown Author Quote from Insight Timer - "Alone you can go fast. Together you can go farther."
Dr. Cheryl Jorgensen (Book: It's More Than Just Being In)
Dr. Jennifer Spencer-Iiams (Co-Authored Book Leading for All: Creating Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools)

Stay Connected with Diana
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.)

Credits and Image Description
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."
58 min

About Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters

From the publisher's feed

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?