Able to go to College - Episode 18 : The End of the Year

    After     two  years,  this is the last episode of able to go to college.  you  got to  go  out with a bang  so  this   episode  is really  long.  If  you have   7  mintues   pull up a chair and something to  drink  and hit play,

         


 The  main  reason that I  made  Able to go to College was  back in high school I  was so scared of  college.   I thought college was this big  abyss   and  I knew that I was no where near ready to go. I was  wrong.


    Yeah   College is different than High school  no  doubt about that but  it  not   a scary place.    I  will be honest though  college  poses  new challenges  to students with disabilities.  There are no IEP that  ensure an individualized education, but there is still  help,  The key is  to find the right people.  I  feel  so  blessed  to have been  lucky  enough to  attend my community college.  There  program  is phenomenal   They  did everything in there   power  to make  me successful.  They advocated  for me  and   I  felt that   they   truly  valued   me.


  Were there instances  where  I  felt discriminated against?  Yes.  There  were also processes set up for me to   voice my concerns.  I got along with most professors, in fact  one of them ,Prof D, I  joking call my body gaurd.  Its a   inside  joke  between the two of us,

  Prof D  and  AZ   Summer 2013 

     If you are  reading this and   have a disabilities and want to go to college but may be a little scared.  Don't  be.   Surrond yourself  with  a  group of people that believe in you.   Do not let anyone tell you what  you have to do  when your adult( esp  if  they are not  part of your family).  Never  give up  and  always  Follow your  dreams.      Because you  only have  one life to live.



  Have  questions  feel  free to   ask in the comments or email me

 azchapman1991@gmail.com

Able to go to College - Episode 17 : Shoulder Hiker

 On this episode  my bio class takes  a fieldtrip.  Its a great  trip  that is a lot of fun.   Unfotunatly   I ran soo fast that I fell in the 100  meter dash.  You  might remeber  me mentioning it here.   That was not my  finest moment.  The  important thing is that  I   got up and  kept on running.


      On the hike  I  was kinda nervous but  once I commited myslef to  going on the trip  I  did fine.   Just like  in college.   If  I am   ready to do something I  will do  a great job.



 The    final  episode will be  posted   tomorrow.  You do not want to miss it

Able to go to College - Episode 16: Party time

      There are only two more videos after this one !!!   The last one is  so special  you  do not want to  miss  it.



           So  now  its   part time at  DSPS.  I  know  I have said this a thousand  time  over but   this campus  has a  great disabilities  program.  They  have a whole team of people that  work  hard  to make sure that  I, along with any other students  who have  disabilities succeed.    They have audiobooks  computer programs and  more all with the purpose of helping  students succeed.   There program is  so  good.   They  took me in with all my behavior problems  and    improved my self esteem   Actually going to this college really improved my  self esteem.  I was able to make  Dean's List  and  graduated  with honors.    Not bad  for someone who  was terrified of  going to college.    I learned the  hard way that not all  university are supportive of students with disabilities, which  makes me  appreciate  this  college even more


 One  of the   best ways they  help people  with disabilities   this  is by  hosting  parties,  like the one you see  in the video.  I  remember attending  one of these  parties when  I  first started college  in  the fall of 2010.  Back then  I was  so scared about  attending university  but seeing other disabled students made me feel  less alone.


 This  school  has  been the most inclusive school  I have ever   attended

  Better  than

   pre school

  private elementary  school  (Pre -K -1st)

 public elementary school  (2ed -  5th grade)

  public  middle school     6th -8th grade

  Public  high school  (9th-12th) grade


  Its  my seconed  home.  Even though  I graduated  in  May  I always go   there to visit.   I love it  that  much.

Able to go to College - Episode 15 : Stage and No Sleep

       

   On this  Episode  I  get an award for receiving the  Echo  Smart Pen.  I   remember this day  it was a fun day  because I was being  recognized  for something good.  The  Smart  Pen  really  helps  me out in college.  Its a great  learning tool  for   students  with disabilities.

    Also  on this episode  I got no  sleep  because  I had to pull an all nighter   It was  well worth it though because  I  ended up getting  a hundred  percent on  the  bumble  bee  project.    Yeah   the bumble   bee  project  isn't  just about   looking for  honey  bees   we had  to  compile  a  report siting our findings.    This  teacher and I  are still  in contact.  He  gave  me a  great letter of recommendation