Yuba College celebrated National Disabilities Month in October by sponsoring many different events on campus. Jan Ponticelli, Director of Disables Students Programs and Services on the Marysville Campus, said that the college celebrated the month in order to bring awareness that many people live with disabling conditions. “If you live long enough, it may touch your life,” she said.
Displays were showcased in the Marysville Campus library from October 4-15. One of them depicted celebrities and other well-known people with disabilities ranging from physical limitations to dyslexia.
In a photo display entitled “Art is for Everyone,” photographer Gary Brown depicted images of disabled people, who had been previously abused, performing different types of art such as painting and knitting.
On Thursday, October 7, Yuba College hosted a Disability Awareness Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information tables were made available, featuring community programs and organizations that partake in disabled services. Dial-a-Ride was present to inform the public about the special lift available on their vehicles, and guide dogs for the blind also made it to the event. Local radio station KUBA was on hand to provide music and a live broadcast.
Tours of the newly built adapted physical education facility were also made available to the public from 11:00 until noon. The facility has been scheduled to hold its inaugural semester in January 2005. Ponticelli noted that disabled students have sought the services of adapted physical education after their insurance has run out and they need to continue their exercise and training programs.
A free barbeque also held that day proved to be a successful event for DSPS. According to Ponticelli, the barbeque was held to bring attention to the DSPS program on campus. “Even if that’s all they heard,” she said, “the idea is to bring attention to the fact that the program is here.”
The goals of DSPS are to support students with disabilities in reaching their academic and vocational goals and to assist students with disabilities in strengthening and developing their skills and abilities, maximizing potential of every student within the academic environment.
DSPS provides convenient services such as academic and vocational counseling, adaptive physical education, note-taking assistance, mobility assistance and testing accommodations for students in need. Students as well as others in the community are encouraged to contact DSPS if they believe that they suffer from a disability.
DSPS is located in the 1800 building on the west side of the Marysville campus and can be reached at (530) 741-6795 or online at yccd.edu. Click on Student Services. Clear Lake students can reach their DSPS office at (707) 995-7910 and Woodland students at (530) 661-5797.
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