Finding Space

In this episode of Finding Space , we’re reminded that meeting the updated ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements is not something instructors have to do alone. Maggie Sokolik , Director of College Writing Programs, shares a practical, collaborative approach: offer a hands-on workshop for your entire department, start small, and build accessible habits together. You’ll hear what “remediat...

In this episode, we focus on what the updated Title II of the ADA means for higher education—and, more importantly, how faculty can get started without feeling overwhelmed. We’re joined by Anne Marie Richard , Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Chief Academic Technology Officer, for a grounded and practical conversation about the federal updates to Title II that go into effect...

In this episode, core Disability Studies instructor Emily Nusbaum shares how she builds collective access into her courses—from day one. Instead of treating accommodations as individual, private transactions, Emily invites her students to co-design access practices together: shared note-taking, flexible ways to participate, an open Zoom room, and an access statement that frames support as everyone...

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 accom...

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...

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 gradi...

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...

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...

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 behal...