Beyond Barriers: Disrupting Racism and Ableism to Build Belonging in Schools
Originally broadcast on May 28, 2025
In this recorded webinar Carrie Basas and Heidi Sohn explore how racism and ableism show up in education — and how we can move from disruption to reimagining.
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Missed the live session or want to revisit the conversation?
Watch the full webinar recording here:
Watch the full webinar recording here:
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Meet the Speakers
A person smiling in a black and white photo with trees in the background
Carrie Basas (she/her)
Carrie brings over 25 years of experience in legal and strategic consulting for community-led organizations, schools, and foundations. As the founder of CoDesign Works and Justice Studio, she supports teams in moments of growth, transition, and crisis—offering leadership development, organizational design, and legal counsel rooted in disability justice, racial equity, and nonprofit governance. Carrie is a licensed attorney in Washington State with a law degree from Harvard and a Master’s in Education.
A proud disabled first-generation college graduate, Carrie believes that building equitable systems starts with belonging and interdependence. She has led civil rights organizations, served as a law professor, and worked nationally on disability and education policy. Learn more about her work at https://www.codesignworks.com.
A photo of a person smiling, wearing glasses, with long dark hair
Heidi Sohn (she/her)
Heidi has close to two decades of experience working with clients to create more racially equitable results. Through her work, she has developed many tools and techniques to demystify and help organizations address systemic inequities. Heidi is the founder and principal of Equity Matters, a consulting practice grounded in a vision of advancing social, environmental, and racial justice.
Heidi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Asian Studies from St. Olaf College, and a Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis on Multi-Ethnic Practice from the University of Washington. In her training sessions, expect insightful frameworks—and a few well-placed bicycle metaphors. She’s also known for her love of technology, gadgets, and Korean BBQ. Learn more about her work at https://www.equitymattersnw.com.
Heidi has close to two decades of experience working with clients to create more racially equitable results. Through her work, she has developed many tools and techniques to demystify and help organizations address systemic inequities. Heidi is the founder and principal of Equity Matters, a consulting practice grounded in a vision of advancing social, environmental, and racial justice.
Heidi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Asian Studies from St. Olaf College, and a Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis on Multi-Ethnic Practice from the University of Washington. In her training sessions, expect insightful frameworks—and a few well-placed bicycle metaphors. She’s also known for her love of technology, gadgets, and Korean BBQ. Learn more about her work at https://www.equitymattersnw.com.
Slide Deck and Resouces
Download the Slide Deck PDF
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From From Carrie ([email protected]) & Heidi ([email protected])
Thanks for viewing this webinar. We know the work of belonging is harder and more urgent than ever. We're here to support you in whatever ways we can.
Here is a link to download the PATHways toolkit we previewed: https://equitymattersnw.kit.com/belongingpathwaystemplate
We love facilitating those discussions, too.
Here is a link to the youth codesign project that Carrie mentioned. You'll find posters for your schools and communities, as well as a youth reflection video:
https://www.codesignworks.com/designing-inclusion-with-disabled-youth/
The students just created these resources and appreciate everything you can do to spread the word.
Here is a link to download the PATHways toolkit we previewed: https://equitymattersnw.kit.com/belongingpathwaystemplate
We love facilitating those discussions, too.
Here is a link to the youth codesign project that Carrie mentioned. You'll find posters for your schools and communities, as well as a youth reflection video:
https://www.codesignworks.com/designing-inclusion-with-disabled-youth/
The students just created these resources and appreciate everything you can do to spread the word.
Key Takeaways
- Identify how systems reinforce exclusion, even with good intentions.
- Share mindsets and strategies for creating spaces of true belonging.
- Reflect on first steps we can take in our own schools and communities.
This Recorded Webinar and Resources were developed for educators, family advocates,
school leaders, and community partners and provided with support from:
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