“Nothing about us, without us,” is a motto that Shayana Mendes, an advocate for disabled students and American River College student with Asperger’s syndrome, strongly believes in.
The 29-year-old Glendale native has been a student at ARC for about 10 years, pursuing degrees in Spanish, sign language, theatre arts, nutrition and law, with a focus on disability rights.
“It’s my persistence. That’s why I’m still at it here,” said Mendes.
She wasn’t always such an advocate. She found out about her Autism at the age of 12 and was harassed and bullied throughout grade school.
Her mother always stood up for her, until one day Mendes decided she would no longer be the victim. Instead she would fight for the rights of other disabled students.
Asperger’s syndrome is a milder form of Autism, a group of developmental differences that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 88 children in the U.S. is discovered to be on the Autism spectrum.
Socially, Mendes struggles understanding social and indirect language cues, such as sarcasm.
“I have a hard time understanding the difference between if someone is being sarcastic and joking around or if they’re truly upset,” Mendes explained.
Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) at ARC caters to around 2,780 students, including students with Autism.
“With disability services it’s really looking at how individual disabilities affect each person and then identifying accommodations and services that try to mitigate those impacts of the disabilities,” said Jason Ralphs, supervisor of DSPS at ARC.
Mendes works at as an independent contractor at Supported Life Institute where she is president, and as secretary of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Sacramento.
Mendes has found many ways to deal with her autism, one being acting.
She wishes everyone realized that disabled students are just as capable as other students.
Mendes hopes to continue pursuing law and to become a lawyer for people with disabilities.
For now, you may see her at a more local government. She regularly attends Associated Student Body meetings, ensuring the voice of DSPS is being heard.
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