Finding Space

UC Berkeley Research, Teaching, and Learning (RTL)
  • 5.0 (3)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

A podcast where UC Berkeley students, educators, and staff from the disability community tell their stories and call the campus community in on acts of advocacy and disability justice. Share your feedback: findingspace@berkeley.edu

Episodes

  1. OCT 28

    6: Roll Model — with UC Berkeley alum Ryan Manriquez

    In this episode, alum, Ryan Manriquez, shares how a terrifying emergency-evacuation failure in graduate housing became a catalyst for change—prompting system-wide guidance, individualized evacuation planning, and a renewed focus on not leaving anyone behind. Ryan also highlights the role of the Disability Cultural Center, mentorship, and representation in creating real access. We discuss why accommodations don’t lower academic standards—they enable students to meet them—and how small shifts by faculty and staff signal belonging every day. Resources: Guidance on Instructor Preparedness for Classroom Disruptions and Emergencies - — Practical steps for faculty before, during, and after an incident; includes evacuation, communication, and continuity tips. Video: Accessibility Renovations at UC Berkeley — with Ryan Manriquez Review transcripts on our show webpage. Share your feedback with us at findingspace@berkeley.edu. Finding Space is brought to you by Research Teaching, and Learning (RTL) in UC Berkeley's Division of Undergraduate Education.

    31 min

  2. OCT 1

    5. Lead Culture from Where You Are: Cultivating Collective Care

    In this episode, Marisella Rodriguez (Associate Director of Equity & Inclusion, ⁠Center for Teaching and Learning⁠), Carmen Varela (Executive Director, ⁠Disabled Students’ Program⁠), and UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons (⁠Office of the Chancellor⁠) discuss how leadership, collective care, and disability justice intersect across roles and responsibilities on campus. Together, they explore how culture is shaped not just by policy, but by everyday decisions, values, and human connection—and why meaningful change starts with all of us. Join the conversation: What role can you play in leading culture and cultivating collective care on campus? Correction: During the conversation, Carmen mentions that the Section 504 protests took place in the 1960s. The protests actually occurred in the 1970s. Review transcripts on our ⁠show webpage⁠. Share your feedback with us at ⁠findingspace@berkeley.edu⁠. Finding Space is brought to you by ⁠Research, Teaching, and Learning (RTL)⁠ in UC Berkeley's Division of Undergraduate Education.

    32 min

  3. AUG 25

    4: My Dream for Berkeley: Student Success Without Lowering Standards

    What if every student had a real chance to succeed—without lowering academic standards? In this episode of Finding Space, Professor Dan Garcia from UC Berkeley’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences department explores his dream for Berkeley: a university where all students can bring their authentic selves and thrive. After 20 years in the classroom, Dan began rethinking traditional grading practices—deeply inspired by the book Grading for Growth. His shift toward more equitable, student-centered approaches led to the adoption of strategies like absolute grading, flexible deadlines, and exam retakes. These changes are designed to support all students, particularly disabled and neurodivergent learners, while still emphasizing academic mastery. This conversation challenges us to imagine a more inclusive university—one where learning is continuous, failure is not final, and success is accessible. Tune in to learn: Why grading on a curve can harm equity How “A’s for All (as time and interest allow)” reframes student success Practical, flexible grading policies that support diverse learners Why universal design principles benefit all students—not just some Review transcripts on our show webpage. Share your feedback with us at findingspace@berkeley.edu. Finding Space is brought to you by Research Teaching, and Learning (RTL) in UC Berkeley's Division of Undergraduate Education.

    23 min

  4. MAY 9

    3. The Power of Relationships with Undergraduate Student Marlenne Perez

    Marlenne Perez shares her experience navigating UC Berkeley as a first generation, low income, independent undergraduate student with a disability. She shares how relationships with mentors, professors and student support staff enabled her to stay at Berkeley when she thought she might drop out, and she offers advice for faculty who want to support students with disabilities but aren’t sure where to start. Review transcripts on our show webpage. Share your feedback with us at findingspace@berkeley.edu. Finding Space is brought to you by Research Teaching, and Learning (RTL) in UC Berkeley's Division of Undergraduate Education.

    21 min

  5. MAR 27

    2: Accommodations Can Transform Your Teaching - a Conversation with DSP Faculty Liaisons, Jonah Levy and Justin Davidson

    Faculty Liaisons to the Disabled Students' Program (DSP), Jonah Levy and Justin Davidson, talk with Marisella Rodriguez and Tara Mason from the Center for Teaching and Learning, explaining how they support their faculty peers in the accommodations process and why they build bridges between their faculty colleagues and staff at DSP and Disability Access & Compliance (DAC). They also share how accommodating students with disabilities has transformed their teaching for the better, and made their courses more satisfying to teach. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jonah and Justin’s instructor guide to DSP accommodations⁠ (you’ll also find their contact info here) Demystifying Accommodations⁠, the hour-long video conversation from Fall 2023 we excerpted for this episode. Review transcripts on our show webpage (https://rtl.berkeley.edu/finding-space-podcast) Share your feedback with us at findingspace@berkeley.edu. Finding Space is brought to you by Research Teaching, and Learning (RTL) in UC Berkeley's Division of Undergraduate Education.

    31 min

  6. FEB 24

    1: Inclusive Excellence and the UC Berkeley Disabled Students' Program with Carmen Varela

    In this premiere episode of Finding Space, we dive into what UC Berkeley Disabled Students' Program (DSP) Executive Director, Carmen Varela wishes that every faculty member and support staff on campus knew about the DSP and the work they do.  Marisella Rodriguez and Tara Mason from the Center for Teaching and Learning talk with Varela, and they share what motivates their decades of work on behalf of people with disabilities, what is at stake for students who need accommodations, and why DSP specialists are some of the most creative resources on campus. Review transcripts on show webpage: https://rtl.berkeley.edu/finding-space-podcast Share your feedback: findingspace@berkeley.edu Finding Space is brought to you by Research Teaching, and Learning (RTL) in UC Berkeley's Division of Undergraduate Education.

    25 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A podcast where UC Berkeley students, educators, and staff from the disability community tell their stories and call the campus community in on acts of advocacy and disability justice. Share your feedback: findingspace@berkeley.edu

Information

  • Creator
    UC Berkeley Research, Teaching, and Learning (RTL)
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © UC Berkeley Research, Teaching, and Learning (RTL)
  • Show Website
    Finding Space