English {\rtf1 When I consider ACCESS}{\rtf1 and I look at what it's role is}{\rtf1 on a college campus,}{\rtf1 and in the educational process,}{\rtf1 I completely see it as an asset,}{\rtf1 and a resource for our students \par to improve, to strengthen,}{\rtf1 and to ultimately become successful.}{\rtf1 (female narrator) \par There is a community on this campus.}{\rtf1 It is a community of people \par with similar stories.}{\rtf1 Some of these stories are of \par struggle and some of setbacks,}{\rtf1 some are of great challenges.}{\rtf1 At Mt. San Antonio College,}{\rtf1 the Disabled Students Programs and Services}{\rtf1 offers a community where people \par face their challenges}{\rtf1 in an atmosphere of support.}{\rtf1 Where they rely upon one \par other, where needs are met,}{\rtf1 friendships are formed,}{\rtf1 and, in the process, a sense \par of hope is discovered.}{\rtf1 [acoustic guitar picking]}{\rtf1 To be honest with you,}{\rtf1 I don't even think that I \par thought I had a disability,}{\rtf1 because I had my \par paperwork completed}{\rtf1 since I got out of the hospital,}{\rtf1 in September of 2007,}{\rtf1 to join in the ACCESS program,}{\rtf1 but I didn't join until recently}{\rtf1 because I didn't want to accept it.}{\rtf1 But since being with ACCESS, \par it's like a family,}{\rtf1 they gave me support that \par I didn't realize I needed.}{\rtf1 A lot of times in the past,}{\rtf1 I knew that I could do it, }{\rtf1 but there was some sort of a wall}{\rtf1 blocking me, and,}{\rtf1 I never knew what it was.}{\rtf1 And once I started to get help,}{\rtf1 and gain knowledge \par about my disabilities,}{\rtf1 and how to deal with it \par and how best to study}{\rtf1 and things like that, \par it made it so much better.}{\rtf1 Ahh, it was like, it was \par like having a weight}{\rtf1 lifted off my shoulders, literally.}{\rtf1 Without services \par my life was challenging,}{\rtf1 I was struggling a lot}{\rtf1 and I felt like I was \par on the edge of quitting,}{\rtf1 and, it was my first semester}{\rtf1 and things were just going downhill.}{\rtf1 You know, first time \par being a college student}{\rtf1 you never thought you would \par actually end up}{\rtf1 with a disability, you know, \par even a teeny one,}{\rtf1 and actually graduate from college.}{\rtf1 But during that first semester}{\rtf1 it was just like there is no way I am going to finish.}{\rtf1 And then when I heard about ACCESS}{\rtf1 I felt like there was a possibility for a future}{\rtf1 of graduating from college.}{\rtf1 It was a big transformation.}{\rtf1 [acoustic guitar picking]}{\rtf1 Well, as you will shortly find out,}{\rtf1 I've got a little bit \par difficult vocal situation here,}{\rtf1 two cases of vocal cancer, \par 20 years apart}{\rtf1 and both times received \par help from ACCESS.}{\rtf1 And, the second time was a \par little bit more severe}{\rtf1 in that I had to \par have some surgery}{\rtf1 that actually removed part \par of a vocal chord.}{\rtf1 And so, what's happened is that}{\rtf1 when I first quote "lost the voice"}{\rtf1 I was very concerned \par whether or not I could teach}{\rtf1 or whether students \par would respond to it.}{\rtf1 I went to speech therapists}{\rtf1 both here at Mt. SAC and externally}{\rtf1 to help me learn how to use \par what voice I have}{\rtf1 and work with my limitations.}{\rtf1 The campus provided me \par with a microphone system,}{\rtf1 which I am completely able \par to walk around the class,}{\rtf1 and I'm not tethered by any wires}{\rtf1 and it goes through a very, \par very nice set of speakers}{\rtf1 that been placed in my classroom}{\rtf1 and I use it in a couple \par different classes.}{\rtf1 I think that me overcoming, or \par being put in this situation,}{\rtf1 has certainly given me greater \par thoughts towards}{\rtf1 what the student is going \par through that has a disability,}{\rtf1 greater empathy towards that.}{\rtf1 And, so, I definitely believe \par it has helped me}{\rtf1 and I definitely believe \par it can help students of all kinds}{\rtf1 that are having some kind of problem.}{\rtf1 The thing that I know now,}{\rtf1 that I wish somebody \par had said to me,}{\rtf1 was that college is not impossible,}{\rtf1 it's not something that is \par an insurmountable mountain.}{\rtf1 Because that's what I thought it was.}{\rtf1 When I got out of high school I \par did not want to go to college,}{\rtf1 because I didn't think \par I could go to college.}{\rtf1 And, I started going anyway \par and I thought that,}{\rtf1 I didn't understand the reason \par why it was so hard for me}{\rtf1 to actually get grades whatsoever.}{\rtf1 And, now that I know that \par there are things out there}{\rtf1 to help people like me,}{\rtf1 I am able to actually take classes}{\rtf1 and get you know, \par good grades as well.}{\rtf1 And so if somebody had told me \par when I was in high school}{\rtf1 that hey, you know \par there's stuff out there}{\rtf1 that can help you out}{\rtf1 so you don't have to go through \par these challenges alone.}{\rtf1 I would have been \par a lot more optimistic}{\rtf1 and I would have probably \par tried harder in high school.}{\rtf1 I would tell a student \par that is hesitant to join ACCESS}{\rtf1 to register, because \par the services are great.}{\rtf1 ACCESS has helped me}{\rtf1 by providing me}{\rtf1 with interpreters, notetakers,}{\rtf1 and a counselor who signs}{\rtf1 who's been able to help me \par get through my classes}{\rtf1 and also helped me to \par become a better student.}{\rtf1 I really want to thank ACCESS \par for always helping me}{\rtf1 throughout my journey \par here at Mt. SAC.}{\rtf1 ACCESS has helped me in many ways.}{\rtf1 I, myself, have a learning disability}{\rtf1 so it takes me a little longer}{\rtf1 to process the information.}{\rtf1 It's not that I can't \par process it and understand it,}{\rtf1 it just takes me a little extra time.}{\rtf1 And, the services they provide \par here at ACCESS is incredible.}{\rtf1 If I needed a notetaker or \par someone to help me with tutoring}{\rtf1 they provide that, \par those services as well.}{\rtf1 Another thing that I do use quite a bit}{\rtf1 is the High Tech Center, \par here on campus.}{\rtf1 Which they have \par technology, computers,}{\rtf1 people who have trouble seeing}{\rtf1 it enlarges the print for them so they can read.}{\rtf1 Also, they have programs}{\rtf1 in which you can scan your textbook}{\rtf1 and it will read \par out to you word from word}{\rtf1 what the textbook says.}{\rtf1 It's incredible.}{\rtf1 And then, the tutors and the \par professors there are amazing,}{\rtf1 always willing to help us out.}{\rtf1 If it wasn't for ACCESS and the programs}{\rtf1 and everything they offer here}{\rtf1 I don't think I would be \par here as a student.}{\rtf1 So, I owe a lot to ACCESS.}{\rtf1 I came to Mt. SAC}{\rtf1 because they have}{\rtf1 a wonderful program here.}{\rtf1 I've learned so much being here,}{\rtf1 and learning is important.}{\rtf1 One of the best experiences \par I've had here}{\rtf1 has been to run cross-country.}{\rtf1 When I got into track and field \par I enjoyed talking}{\rtf1 and being with my \par hearing teammates.}{\rtf1 My coach is great too.}{\rtf1 We communicate well and \par we understand one another.}{\rtf1 I enjoy being on campus \par and hanging out}{\rtf1 with the other students here.}{\rtf1 The teachers are great too.}{\rtf1 Mt. SAC is definitely a good school,}{\rtf1 I would recommend it to anyone.}{\rtf1 If I had to talk to people}{\rtf1 about people with disabilities}{\rtf1 I would tell them}{\rtf1 we're all the same.}{\rtf1 We may be different because \par of our physical disabilities}{\rtf1 but mentally, not all of us are \par "slow", as they would put it.}{\rtf1 We have the same brain \par power as they do}{\rtf1 and, we have feelings \par just as they do.}{\rtf1 So, if they put us down \par that makes us feel bad}{\rtf1 just as it would \par make them feel bad}{\rtf1 if someone put them down.}{\rtf1 So, I would say not to judge \par a person on how they look,}{\rtf1 but judge them by their actions.}{\rtf1 We're individuals too.}{\rtf1 Don't look at us}{\rtf1 like we have a disability,}{\rtf1 because that's not}{\rtf1 how we see ourselves.}{\rtf1 We see ourselves as one of society.}{\rtf1 We may be a little bit different,}{\rtf1 whether it be physically \par or mentally challenging.}{\rtf1 We're still a person and \par that's how we want to be seen.}{\rtf1 People with disabilities}{\rtf1 are people, same as any of us.}{\rtf1 And, generally they are \par very good at some things}{\rtf1 but there are some things}{\rtf1 that are more difficult for them.}{\rtf1 They have to approach \par them in a different way.}{\rtf1 But, that doesn't mean \par they can't do them,}{\rtf1 it doesn't mean they can't ultimately do them}{\rtf1 at the same level, \par or at an acceptable level.}{\rtf1 They simply need to do \par them in a different way.}{\rtf1 So, often when there is a word "disability"}{\rtf1 attached to it people might have \par a somewhat negative feel to it.}{\rtf1 But we don't really think}{\rtf1 of that disability, as \par a bad thing anymore,}{\rtf1 it's just a difference.}{\rtf1 There is no typical ACCESS student.}{\rtf1 Everyone's an individual.}{\rtf1 Everyone has different dreams,}{\rtf1 and goals, and life experiences.}{\rtf1 Again, if they have anything in common}{\rtf1 with everybody else, and they do,}{\rtf1 it's that they're here to learn,}{\rtf1 they're here to enjoy the school,}{\rtf1 the college experience.}{\rtf1 I don't think there is any such thing}{\rtf1 as a typical ACCESS student,}{\rtf1 I don't think it exists.}{\rtf1 [acoustic guitar picking]}{\rtf1 I feel inspired to help others}{\rtf1 as this program has helped me.}{\rtf1 If you see a need and you}{\rtf1 have the means to help them,}{\rtf1 then you should do that.}{\rtf1 That's what I like}{\rtf1 about this program, this school.}{\rtf1 It really brings a sense of stability}{\rtf1 for the student to learn.}{\rtf1 I didn't think I could accomplish my goals}{\rtf1 of getting a education, of getting}{\rtf1 of graduating with Associates \par let alone a Bachelors degree.}{\rtf1 I, myself, now am a nursing major}{\rtf1 and it's not a matter of if I graduate,}{\rtf1 but when I graduate.}{\rtf1 There are many programs available.}{\rtf1 You don't have to take}{\rtf1 all of them,}{\rtf1 you just have to take}{\rtf1 whatever you think you need.}{\rtf1 And, knowing there are}{\rtf1 all those programs out there}{\rtf1 available to you, it's encouraging.}{\rtf1 It makes you say, \par "hey, I can do this".}{\rtf1 In case I need it, I know \par where to go to look for help.}{\rtf1 I would say the folks over there get it.}{\rtf1 Just simply, they get it.}{\rtf1 And, they have a lot more experience}{\rtf1 with what you're going through}{\rtf1 than you can possibly imagine.}{\rtf1 People at ACCESS serve you \par with a passion and joy}{\rtf1 from the bottom of their hearts.}{\rtf1 I think for the student}{\rtf1 that can use and benefit \par from ACCESS services,}{\rtf1 it is a shame if they don't and, \par it is a victory when then do.}{\rtf1 (narrator) \par This journey to an education}{\rtf1 is not one without challenges.}{\rtf1 But, with those challenges \par comes achievement.}{\rtf1 With achievement there is success.}{\rtf1 There is a community \par here on this campus.}{\rtf1 This community is called ACCESS.}{\rtf1 Most, simply call it family.}{\rtf1 [acoustic guitar strumming]}