Cal Poly promoting disability awareness
POMONA - Cal Poly Pomona's Access and Disability Alliance will host Breaking Barriers - a monthlong focus on disability awareness.
A number of events are scheduled over the next couple weeks, highlighted by a special presentation at noon today at the Bronco Student Center by Luke Adams from the "The Amazing Race." Adams was the first deaf contestant on the CBS show, and was the second runner-up last season.
"The goal ... is to highlight the abilities in those who have disabilities," said Chad Bowman, the president of the alliance.
"Instead of focusing on the difficulties they have, we want to focus on the individual and what they can do."
The ADA is a relatively new organization on campus composed of faculty, staff and students whose mission is to promote awareness, sensitivity and a cultural identity of those with disabilities.
This is the second year the group is hosting events for disability awareness.
Cal Poly Pomona computer engineering student Emmanuel Ferran, 18 from
Whittier, tries to pick up a coin with a prosthetic arm January 14, 2010 during Breaking Barriers hosted by the Access and disability Alliance in Pomona. Photo by Will Lester.
A number of events are scheduled over the next couple weeks, highlighted by a special presentation at noon today at the Bronco Student Center by Luke Adams from the "The Amazing Race." Adams was the first deaf contestant on the CBS show, and was the second runner-up last season.
"The goal ... is to highlight the abilities in those who have disabilities," said Chad Bowman, the president of the alliance.
"Instead of focusing on the difficulties they have, we want to focus on the individual and what they can do."
The ADA is a relatively new organization on campus composed of faculty, staff and students whose mission is to promote awareness, sensitivity and a cultural identity of those with disabilities.
This is the second year the group is hosting events for disability awareness.
Whittier, tries to pick up a coin with a prosthetic arm January 14, 2010 during Breaking Barriers hosted by the Access and disability Alliance in Pomona. Photo by Will Lester.
"A lot of times, society as a whole sees disabilities as something that is physical or visual," Bowman said.
"And a lot of times, people forget there is a large cross- section of individuals who have hidden disabilities."
Kimberly Fuentes of La Puente, an ADA volunteer and student, said her goal by the time she graduates in a year is to have students embrace their disability and not be ashamed of it.
"I have a learning disability - I process information slower than other students. My comprehension is not as proficient as it should be, and I've known about it since middle school," said Fuentes, 22.
"There is this misconception that people like me are lazy or that we're stupid, and I want to change that."
Fuentes also uses the example of Tourette's syndrome, a disorder of the nervous system, often characterized by unwanted movements and noises.
"In the past, when people didn't know what (Tourette's) was, they thought the person had the devil inside of them or they were possessed," she said.
"Until we were able to properly diagnose people, we were better able to understand what was wrong and how to deal with it. That is what disability awareness is about."
Throughout the month, students, staff and the community are invited to participate in the interactive student art exhibit "Breaking Barriers" in the Atrium at the Bronco Student Union.
From noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in January, anyone can contribute a poem, story, note, illustration or picture dealing with disabilities to the exhibit.
Part of the exhibit is asking answers to the question: "Has a disability impacted or made an impression on your life? If so, is it directly or indirectly?"
"Once you turn it in, it will be added to the exhibit, which will be up through the end of March," Bowman said.
On Thursday, panelists with varying disabilities will share stories about overcoming obstacles at noon.
After the discussion, participants will have the opportunity to experience multiple stations simulating disabling conditions, such as navigating in a wheelchair, use of a prosthetic or using a Braille writer.
Theresa Claveria described the difficulty of picking up a quarter using a prosthetic hand.
"You have to think about what you're doing and have to break it down," said the 24-year-old student.
"Last year, we had faculty in wheelchairs, too. President Michael Ortiz was there, too," Bowman said.
IF YOU GO:
For a detailed list of information on this year's disABILITY Awareness Month visit http://dsa.csupomona.edu/drc/AdA.asp
Information: 909-869-4407.
Leave a comment