Changing Spaces, Changing Lives: Diane Silva on Accessibility, Advocacy, and Family Leadership
The Bold and the Brave: A Parent Leader Podcast · The National Parent Leadership Institute
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Show Notes
In this episode of Bold & The Brave: A Parent Leader Podcast, we sit down with Diane Silva, a Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) graduate and parent leader from Rhode Island, to talk about accessibility, advocacy, and systems change.
Diane shares how her lived experience as a caregiver led her to advocate for universal changing stations in public restrooms, a need that too often goes unrecognized. Through her leadership and community organizing, Rhode Island passed legislation requiring universal changing stations in new and renovated public buildings beginning in 2027.
We talk about Diane’s PLTI journey, how she learned to navigate policy and media advocacy, and what it takes to move from identifying a problem to shaping real solutions. Diane also reflects on the importance of designing public spaces with dignity in mind, expanding access in healthcare settings, and modeling leadership for the next generation.
This conversation highlights the power of family leadership and why families belong in decision-making spaces that shape policies, systems, and communities.
To learn more about Diane's work with the Changing Spaces Campaign, visit their website here.