New Disability Support Services Director on Board

Sandy Parsons has been hired as the new director of Disability Support Services (DSS). She has more than 20 years of experience working with people with disabilities. Beginning in 1994, she worked for the California Department of Rehabilitation, first as a counselor and later as a supervisor. Prior to that, she worked as an administrator for the Colgan House, a residential care facility in Paradise for people with severe disabilities, and as a program director for the Work Training Center in Chico. At the Work Training Center, she created a program called “situational assessment” that allows people with disabilities to “try out” jobs and make informed employment choices.

Parsons has a BS in behavioral science and psychology from San Jose State University and an MA in rehabilitation counseling from San Diego State University. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she has lived in Chico for 19 years.

Parsons is a troop leader for Girl Scouts of America, and was a Girl Scout herself. She credits the program with giving her a structure to teach her own daughters and a “small group of future women about courage, integrity, and choice.” She tells her troop members, “Life is easier if you just stay focused on the things that matter: being kind (to ourselves and to each other), being honest, being safe, and having a strong heart no matter what adversity gets thrown your way”—a message she also passes on to her clients with disabilities.

Parsons pointed out that while everyone is aware of the growing diversity of students in higher education, many people don’t think about the fact that disability is part of that diversity. Students with disabilities are estimated to represent 9 percent of all incoming college freshmen; 1 out of 11 students has a documented disability.

As part of the observance of October as Disability Awareness Month, Parsons shared information about DSS on the CSU, Chico campus:

What is the mission of DSS?

In a nutshell, the mission of Disability Support Services at CSU, Chico is to increase access and retention for students with permanent and temporary disabilities by ensuring equitable treatment in all aspects of campus life.

What is new in the area of DSS?

DSS is in the second year of the ENACT (Ensuring Access Through Collaboration and Technology) grant. ENACT is designed to promote and support a universal design for learning, the process of making course concepts accessible and skills attainable regardless of learning style or physical or sensory abilities. It respects human diversity by recognizing and anticipating a variety of needs and broadens usability to the public. A universal design for learning is more economical for the University because if it sets out to accommodate a wide group of people, it will spend less time and energy trying to fix things later.

What is the philosophy behind your work with college students?

Students with and without disabilities are exploring their identities and defining their roles in society. The key to a successful journey for students with disabilities is the ability to realize their personal strengths and limitations, the desire and aptitude to take responsibility for managing their academic and personal success, and the maturity to use resources and services available to them.v While similar in philosophy, postsecondary services for students with disabilities are not a continuation of earlier special education services. As adults, students with disabilities are expected to take full personal responsibility for their educational experience. The role of Disability Support Services is to help students identify their own personal strengths, understand the impact of their disability, think creatively about solutions, and communicate their needs effectively.

October is National Disability and Employment Awareness Month, and the CSU, Chico Americans with Disabilities Act Committee has a number of activities planned.

Celebrating National Disability and Employment Awareness Month

October’s activities at CSU, Chico are sponsored by the CSU, Chico Americans with Disabilities Act Committee. If you need accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services at x5959.

October 3
Access in Action Information and Vendor Fair. Programs, services, and products specializing in creating access for all people. 11 am–2 pm, Free Speech Area.

October 5
Brown Bag Lunch Discussion. An overview of hearing loss and deafness with Crystal Chalmers, audiologist. Bring your lunch; we’ll provide the cookies. 12:30 pm–1 pm, Faculty Dining Room.

October 11
Brown Bag Lunch Discussion. Diabetes education with Pat Haas, Enloe Diabetes Education Program. Co-sponsored by the CSU, Chico Health Center. Bring your lunch; we’ll provide the cookies. Noon– 1 pm, Faculty Dining Room.

October 18
Conversations on Diversity: Stomp Out Stigma. People with mental illness share their stories. Noon–1 pm, BMU 210.

October 26
Dawn Grabowski, comedian and playwright. “Shattering Images” through comedy, entertainment, education, and motivation. 7:30 pm, Ayres 120.