BRIDGES TO INCLUSION

Creating pathways of empowerment for individuals with disabilities

Our Story

Drs. Sofia Vergara and Kimberly Austin met 20 years ago while teaching at an independent upper school in the West Los Angeles area. They quickly discovered their mutual passion for inclusive education stemming from their lived experiences and work with students with a range of disabilities. This was the driving force for both of them to pursue their Doctorates in Educational Leadership, with dissertations focusing on inclusion for people with disabilities.

Photo of Kimberly and Sofia at Abilities Expo LA 2020
Photo of Dr. Sofia Vergara

Dr. Sofia Vergara

Dr. Sofia Vergara is a leader in advancing inclusion, access, and self-determination for people with disabilities through her work with Bridges to Inclusion. Her work focuses on expanding opportunities, strengthening advocacy, and supporting meaningful systems change that centers the voices and choices of individuals with disabilities.

Sofia brings nearly two decades of experience in education and advocacy. She spent 18 years as a Spanish teacher at an independent upper school, where she also served as Chair of the department. As an alumna of the school, she returned after earning her B.A. in Political Science from UC Berkeley, with minors in Spanish and Disability Studies. She later completed both her Master’s in Secondary Education and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice at Loyola Marymount University.

In 2017, Sofia joined Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education as a lecturer, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses focused on disability, multiculturalism, and equity in special education, with an emphasis on educational supports for students with disabilities.

Her leadership extends beyond the classroom. Sofia previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Westside Regional Center and currently serves on the boards of the California Communication Access Foundation (CCAF) and Disability Rights Advocates (DRA). These experiences, along with her longstanding commitment to advocacy and inclusion, continue to shape her work.

Most recently, Sofia serves as the PULSE Unit Manager in the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy at Disability Rights California. In this role—developed in partnership with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)—she leads efforts to ensure that individuals under conservatorship understand their rights, learn about alternatives, and receive the support they need to make more of their own decisions.

Across all of her work, and especially through Bridges to Inclusion, Sofia remains dedicated to advancing autonomy, dignity, and meaningful inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Sofia Vergara CV

Photo of Dr. Kimberly Austin


Dr. Kimberly Austin

Dr. Kimberly Austin is a leader in advancing inclusion, access, and meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Her work focuses on strengthening educational practices, supporting faculty and systems, and expanding pathways for individuals with disabilities to thrive across different stages of life. Her work is also shaped by her involvement with Bridges to Inclusion, where she supports efforts to expand access, equity, and inclusive practices across educational and community settings.

Kimberly brings extensive experience in education and leadership. She spent 20 years at an independent upper school, where she served as Dean of Access, Equity, Inclusion & Engagement among other roles. In addition, she has been an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Moorpark College for 18 years.

She earned her B.S. in Aquatic Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, her M.S. in Physiology and Behavioral Biology from San Francisco State University, and her Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from California Lutheran University.

Kimberly’s research focuses on faculty support and best practices for teaching students with autism and other disabilities. She has co-authored articles in publications such as Currents in Teaching and Learning and the Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, and has presented at national conferences as well as in professional development and graduate-level trainings across secondary schools, community colleges, and universities.

Currently, Kimberly serves as the Executive Director of L.A. GOAL, where she leads the organization’s vision and day-to-day operations in support of adults with developmental disabilities.

A Southern California native of over 30 years, Kimberly enjoys spending time outdoors with her two children.

Dr. Kimberly Austin CV




 
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