Head of Program for Disabled Honored

The California Assn. of Postsecondary Education has honored the director of Mission College’s disabled student program for his role in helping to secure state funds for an architectural barrier-removal program at California community colleges, school officials said.

Rick Scuderi received the President’s Award and a special trophy from the association for spearheading a statewide letter-writing campaign on behalf of the barrier-removal program. The campaign helped to persuade the Legislature to designate $20 million for the program, Mission College officials said.

In addition to his letter-writing campaign, Scuderi also testified before a state Senate budget committee.

“I was surprised how effective a person can be making timely phone calls, writing a few letters and working the e-mail,” Scuderi said in a written statement.

Scuderi, who has been active in the association since 1980, helped formulate criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of disabled students programs and services at California community colleges, Mission College officials said.

Although Mission College is accessible to the disabled, Scuderi took up the cause statewide because of his concern for disabled students at other campuses, college officials said.