Introduction to Sofia Vergara

DRA is excited to welcome Sofia Vergara of Bridges To Inclusion to our board of directors!

Bridges To Inclusion’s mission is to provide support services to educators, families, and students with disabilities, creating pathways of empowerment through education by facilitating customized interactive trainings that highlight significant topics in the field of disability and assisting organizations with developing more inclusive practices.

I got my start in teaching in college when I co facilitated a course on the Disability Rights Movement for fellow students at UC Berkeley. This opportunity not only awakened the activist in me but also drove me to become an educator.  After this I went to pursue a master’s degree in secondary education. Five years ago, I received my doctorate in education, writing an autoethnographic study focusing on leadership and disability in the field of education. During this time, I was also fortunate enough to be in the classroom at the high school and university level, where I have taught Spanish and classes in teacher and special education respectively in both undergraduate and graduate education.  In recent years, I also co-founded Bridges To Inclusion with a colleague. We create and facilitate customized interactive trainings that highlight significant topics in the field of disability and assist organizations with developing more inclusive practices.

All these personal and professional experiences are what has made me the passionate advocate I am today, and what has led to me to the opportunity of serving on DRA’s Board of Directors. I hope that I can contribute to this work from the unique perspective as a person with a disability who has worked in the field of education for many years. I am very excited to work with everyone at DRA to carry out and strengthen the mission of this organization.

Fun Fact: I love anything having to do with adventure and am a bit of an adrenaline seeker. Sky diving is next on my list.