Look Who it Was Random video

Disabled students confront challenges after graduation

624 views · Published 11 February 2012 · 1:34 · Indexed 10 November 2026

Channel: CBS Rio Grande Valley · 2012 · News & Politics

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Look through a straw.
 
That amount of space is all Sasha Rangel can see.
 
Rangel relies on her dog to lead her around.
 
Despite the disability, Rangel is a double major, a career woman and a fighter against misperception. 
 
"If you are considered disabled, that somehow allows people to believe that you are unable at accomplishing anything," said Rangel.
 
At the Region One Transition Conference for disabled high school students in Edinburg, Rangel is spreading her success.
 
She convinces students they too can have life after high school.
 
"A lot of times having students with multiple disabilities or just one disability, there may be more support systems out there than people are initially aware of," said Rangel.
 
Transition can be tough.
 
Graduation forces disabled students to leave behind helpful teachers and school owned disability equipment.
 
For some parents, it may leave them feeling they have nowhere to turn. 
 
"We have a tendency to feel that we may be by ourselves, or we may be the only parent of this child, they may be the only child in this area," said Rangel.
 
But the conference in Edinburg goes against that worry.
 
Here hundreds will walk away with new connections and a plan, one that allows disabled students to grow into extraordinary adults.
 
Demand for this type of learning opportunity is so high that organizers said they already filled up for this weekend.
 
Organizers do plan to have more conferences and ask that anyone interested talk with the special education director at their school.

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