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 from having conversations about disability in schools. She implores us to begin talking about disability because "when you don't talk about disability, you're ignoring somebody's experience, and the barriers that they might encounter." But she says that when we talk about disability, it should be in the context of how it shows up in our society. For example, we should be talking about disability history and culture, and framing disability as a social identity. 

Links Mentioned  

• Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body: https://rebekahtaussig.com/portfolio/sitting-pretty/
• Imani Barbarin: https://crutchesandspice.com/
• Dr. Mara Sapon-Shevin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5XdFt58gA4
• Disability Equality Education: https://www.disabilityequalityeducation.org/resources
• Also, here’s another incredible, very user-friendly resource that we forgot to mention: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/646508/demystifying-disability-by-emily-ladau/
• Diana's Guidelines for Screening Classroom Books 

Stay Connected with Diana

Diana's Website

Free Resource - 5 Keys to Going Beyond Awareness 

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

"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

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 o