SANTA ANA : College Praised for Disabled Program
Rancho Santiago College has been cited as one of the top community colleges in the state in offering quality assistance for disabled students.
Rancho was particularly praised for its comprehensive approach to helping disabled students of all types succeed in the academic and work worlds, according to a study released this month by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office in Sacramento.
Details of the study and workshops on various programs for disabled and economically disadvantaged students were discussed Monday at a conference on the college campus in Santa Ana.
“We’re really proud of all the things we’ve been able to do here,” said Cheryl Dunn, coordinator of special services for Rancho Santiago. “This (study) is a recognition of all that we do for our students. . . . Our program will become sort of a model for other colleges to follow.”
Rancho Santiago launched its program for physically handicapped students in 1973. Gradually, it has grown to address the needs of students with disabilities including learning problems, deafness, psychological impairment and acquired brain injury, Dunn said. Rancho serves about 1,000 students a year on an annual budget of about $1 million in state, district and federal funds.
“It is the right of every individual to reach their maximum potential, and that includes those people with disabilities of every kind,” Dunn said.
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