KARINA COTRAN (she/her)
diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
authenticity
self-love
creativity
respect
My mission is to advocate for those with disabilities by making the environment around them a more accessible one - and it starts with the first step - remembering that we are all human, with strengths, weaknesses, passions and the desire to belong.
I take my own experiences of coming across emotional, physical and mental accessibility barriers and turn them into stories that will teach others to break down their own barriers with accessibility/disabilities.
My vision is to help contribute in creating a safe space of belonging and equity for all people - a world where "ableist" culture is deconstructed, and to leave the world a more equitable place than I found it.
I am many things - an avid writer and reader, a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, a lover of nature, an aspiring entrepreneur and the list goes on. But above all, I am human - with the innate desire to feel safe and included in whatever environment I’m in - and so are you.
I was born into a world of fading sounds and silent voices. I saw the wide smiles of my parents and the twinkle of joy in my friend’s eyes but I couldn't hear the laughter. I saw the delicate yellow faces of sunflowers dancing in the sun but I couldn't hear the rush of the wind. I saw, I felt, I smelled and I tasted. My world was silent, but I was loud. I discovered my voice, but found others that were silenced because of the world around them.
Everyone has a story within them, and no one should be silenced. My goal is to make sure that marginalized, young people and adults can find their voice again in a world that has silenced them by helping them realize their worth, and how to properly advocate for themselves.
ABOUT KARINA
HEARING DIFFERENTLY
Sometimes, for stories to be told, stories need to be shared first. I shared my own stories through my book, Hearing Differently: Growing Up with a Cochlear Implant, which is a personal look into the life of a young woman growing up with hearing loss.
I continued sharing my stories through my blog, Hearing Differently, which wove personal retellings with thought provoking discussions around accessibility. My wish is to take my stories to the stage and show the folks with disabilities the importance of discovering your authentic self outside of your disability, and how to harness the inner confidence and power that is in each and every one of us.
I plan to offer life coaching to individuals with disabilities, and allies that are looking to improve their accessibility practices. The goal is to deliver a personalized coaching program that will help individuals with disabilities, and the people in their lives improve advocacy skills, deconstruct and reform identities around disabilities, and foster better relationships with themselves and others around them.
