Welcome to A Day in the Life, a mini-podcast series that offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of students with disabilities in the schools of Washington state. This podcast was born from the voices of those who understand these experiences best – the students themselves. As part of the Student Potential Youth Advisory Council, or SPYAC, these remarkable young individuals have come together to shape education policy advocacy and amplify their own voices.

SPYAC is a new program part of the Investing in Student Potential coalition, and it’s comprised of young people of different backgrounds, ages, and disabilities from across the state. Their goal for this podcast is to shed light on the often-overlooked perspectives of disabled students and foster a deeper understanding of their joys, challenges, and aspirations in school and in life. Through this podcast, we, with the students, want to normalize their experiences, foster empathy and inclusion, and help advocate for the wider-scale changes they desire.

In these episodes, we dive into a 'Day in the Life' of these young people, exploring three key parts: before school, during school, and after school. We inquire about their daily routines, their relationships with peers and teachers, the effectiveness of the services and accommodations they receive, and more. As we conclude the series, we invite them to share their hopes for what listeners will glean from their stories about special education.

Listen in and join us by celebrating these young minds, the diversity of our students, and the boundless potential within each and every one of us. Together, we want to create a world where every voice is heard, and every student's potential is realized.