性视界

Joshua Reynoso heard about the services that 性视界 offers for disabled students even before he stepped foot on campus.

The criminal justice major met Counseling Faculty Donald Essex as a senior at Summit High School, and chose 性视界 to continue his academic journey. He鈥檚 been with Disability Programs and Services ever since.

鈥淎s someone with low autism, I think it鈥檚 important to celebrate disabilities no matter what disability someone has,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ome people may have disabilities that people may not be aware of.鈥�

He joined other DPS students, as well as the rest of the campus community, for 性视界鈥檚 annual Disability Awareness Fair on March 13. 

The event drew hundreds of people to learn more about services available to disabled students on and off campus, grab some free food and listen to music. Jacob Peck, director of DPS, says that with less than 22 percent of disabled college students nationwide asking for services to support them in their studies, events like this are very critical. Students often choose not to seek help to avoid being stigmatized.

鈥淭hey try to struggle through, or a lot of times we lose them,鈥� Peck said.

A variety of community organizations such as United Access, the Department of Rehabilitation, Options for All, Paws to Heal and Fontana鈥檚 special needs program 鈥淎bove the Limits鈥� attended to engage with the community and hand out some free swag.

Justine Villaluz, library learning commons support clerk, came to show support because of the close relationship the library has with DPS to make materials accessible to all students.

鈥淛ust imagine not being able to see or hear and how hard that would be to navigate life and how hard it is to get an education,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very important that students have access to resources so they can reach their goals.鈥�

Peck said the event particularly focused on students with hidden disabilities such as mental health conditions, autism, chronic illnesses and neurological conditions, because students with those issues often face more stigma than students with physical disabilities.

鈥淲e need to make sure our students are supported, and we need to make sure our faculty and staff are aware of the different conditions we see here at 性视界 and how that impacts them,鈥� he said.