Carol’s Story
Carol Leish offers a special presentation to businesses, schools, hospitals, organizations and clubs. She invites her audience to join her on her personal journey of coping with visual and speech challenges.
Carol enlightens people by focusing on the strengths that people with disabilities have, and demonstrates there is always a way to get around a situation by improvising or accommodating to it. She is an eloquent speaker who deals with a sensitive subject in a way that inspires and educates the listener.
Carol continues to gain recognition, and has received several awards for her community achievements in promoting mutual understanding and respect of others regardless of their differences.
Carol graduated from CSU, San Bernadino, with a 3.6 GPA, earning her Masters degree in Education and Counseling. She went on to teach at San Bernadino in City schools, and worked for a variety of non-profit organizations.
Carol’s advocacy and activism have led her to become involved with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council since 2021, serving as the Disability Advocate.
Carol’s commitment to advocating for the fair treatment of people with disabilities in the workforce and raising awareness about their capabilities has led her to strive to change perceptions and to create a more inclusive society.
Committees have included Optimal Aging, which encourages seniors and people with disabilities to continue to age optimally, and Workforce Development, where she has contributed input on ensuring fair treatment for people with disabilities when seeking employment. Potential employers must realize that we are all more similar than different, whether we have a disability or not. Serving on the Aging and Disability Committee allows Carol to emphasize the importance of treating people with disabilities with respect.
The Advisory Council for Ventura County’s Area Agency on Aging
Carol has ensured everyone realizes attitudes toward people with disabilities are important. Eradicating prejudice and discrimination is also essential to realizing that we all have talents and abilities, even if some people may have particular disabilities (challenges).
Carol was appointed to the Advisory Committee for the CA Department of Aging’s Aging & Disability Resource Connection Committee as a Consumer Representative with with a four year term from 2024, and continues until June 30, 2028. In this position, Carol has been stressing the importance of a No Wrong Door System and Person-Centered Practices to better serve California’s older adults, people with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout California.
Carol realized the importance of educating adults and youth to become more accepting of others, and started her “Capable Carol” in-service presentations, and developed the Call Me Capable Game™. She inspires her audience with her humor and genuineness, and leaves them with an awareness that we are all more similar than different.
“Through the lessons of life, she has realized her goal to help others. Remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, ‘Life is a succession of lessons that must be lived to be understood.’ She has, and continues to learn lessons of how to educate others to make them more aware of what she can do–what they can do too. Thus remember to Call Me Capable Carol, and Yourself More Capable.”
Ventura County Community & CA State Involvement
- Volunteer Work: Ventura County Area Agency on Aging & for People with Disabilities Advisory Council Member.
Advocate for People with Disabilities. 2021–Present - Member: Ventura County League of Women Voters: 2020—Present
- Member: The Ladies Luncheon of Ventura: 2010—Present
- Member: Ventura County Professional Women’s Network: 1997–2020
- CA Dept of Aging Consumer Position on the Aging & Disability Resource Connection Committee: 2024-2028
- Ventura Lion’s Club
- Camarillo Public Library during ‘Disability Pride Month’ in 2024
Awards
2026: ‘Above & Beyond’ Award: Given by the Ventura County Brain Injury Center
1997-1998: ‘Outstanding Young Californian: Given by the CA Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce)
1997-1998: “Spirit of Networking Award: Given by the Ventura County Professional Women’s Network
1985: Ruth Perkins Scholarship Award: Received from the Foundation for the Junior Blind (now the Junior Blind of America) for writing, editing, and publishing the camp newsletter, ‘Bloomfield Star,’ for Camp Bloomfield in Malibu, CA, which served campers with visual and hearing challenges.
Ventura to Host Third Government & Disability Summit
The County of Ventura will host the third annual California Government & Disability Summit Sept. 1-3, 2026, bringing together disability advocates, government leaders, service providers and community members to explore ways to improve accessibility and inclusion throughout California. After two successful summits, organizers are building on the momentum with this year’s theme, ‘Access That Moves
VCCF Improves Lives Across Ventura County
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”—Mahatma Gandhi Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), connects people, resources andsolutions to create a lasting impact in our world. It envisions an engaged and thrivingcommunity that is inspired by the growing generosity of the people living here. Throughtrust, empathy, and respect, change for the
Disability Advocacy Methods: Carol Leish and Call Me Capable
I’m honored to share this interview about my journey as a disability advocate and the mission behind Call Me Capable. For many years, I’ve been passionate about helping people see beyond disabilities and recognize the unique strengths, talents, and potential within every individual. Through speaking, journalism, advocacy, and education, I’ve worked to challenge stereotypes and
Continuing to Hustle with Chutzpah
Dreams do come true with a combination of persistence, chutzpah, luck and networking all rolled together as one. This wonderful journey of networking stated when I joined the Ventura County Professional Women’s Network (VCPWN), in 1997. Someone I met at VCPWN suggested that I contact Milt Wright & Associated, Inc., in Chatsworth, CA. They did
Ladies Luncheon Celebrates their 17th Anniversary on June 4th 2026
“Find something that you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”—Julia Child How does the passion and interest of one person create a place to share love of each other, along with love of community each month for 17 years? The Ladies Luncheon Ventura was started in June, 2009 by Laurie Ann Meyer., Broker
14th Annual Autism Run
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”—Helen Keller “Our theme this year for the AUT2RUN is,” according to Ashley Pope, who is on the Board of Directors for the Ventura County Autism Society, “’Together We Shine.’ This is our annual fundraiser, and annual resource fair, which is Southern California’s largest