BCC Concludes 'Breaking Barriers' Project
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Last spring, Berkshire Community College (BCC) Coordinator of Disability Services Pam Farron was watching a documentary film called "Normal Isn't Real: Succeeding with Learning Disabilities & ADHD," which features actors and actresses openly talking about their disabilities and ways they have coped with them in the workplace.
"The film was made to help break the myth, to demystify disabilities," Farron said. "I reached out to them and asked if I could use it, but it was expensive."
She decided to do her own version. She made a plan to talk to BCC faculty, staff and alums with a broad spectrum of disabilities, not just learning disabilities and ADHD.
"My idea was to have them make videos, which I would help them with, and then share the videos with the entire campus," Farron said. "I wanted them to talk about their education,
their careers, how they navigate their workplace, their successes and failures. It became my brainchild."
A total of 14 videos were recorded and shared with the BCC community via email, which also included links to more information on the disability of the person featured in the video. The raw, uncut videos were designed not for their production value, but for their relatable, real content.
"It's been very well received," Farron said. "When the videos go out, I get emails from faculty and staff and students that say, 'Oh my god, that's my story!'"
On April 17, 2024, participants in the project were invited to a luncheon and wore specially designed T-shorts featuring the disability flag. The event was followed by a meet-and-greet with students, faculty and staff.
A passionate student advocate, Farron serves about 300 students with disabilities per year, and she predicts that number will grow as the enrollment population changes. For
example, the MassReconnect program has already created an increase in students ages 25 and over, adding to an increase in overall enrollment. Disabilities range from anxiety, depression and ADHD to blindness, deafness or limited mobility.
When Farron began releasing the videos, she saw a direct impact.
"One of our professors is working with a student with ADHD and anxiety who had been struggling in her class. This professor saw my video and asked if I would meet with her
student," recalled Farron, who has ADHD herself. "When we met, the student asked so many questions, like, 'Do you ever feel like this? Does your medication do this? Do you have trouble getting motivated? What do you do about it?' At the end, she hugged me.
She walked away smiling."
Examples of participants who shared stories include Alicia Starsja, Paul Johansen and Jess Levy. Each has a unique story to tell.
Alicia Starsja graduated from BCC in 2019 and went on to earn a master's in social work from Tulane University. Born with a genetic eye condition called aniridia, her iris
isn't fully developed, making it difficult for her to see things like small print and objects in the distance.
Starsja faces workplace challenges like sensitivity to light, so she has made adjustments to suit her disability. She also finds working off paper difficult, so she asks
her students to work digitally. And, to assist her in writing digitally, she uses a zoom feature built into the computer.
As a student, Starsja utilized assistive technology, including a smart pen that allowed her to record lectures, a read-aloud feature for textbooks, CCTV, and a video magnifier.
"When I think of working with people with disabilities and myself, I think that it's important just to believe in yourself," Starsja said. "No matter what goal you set, you
can accomplish that. You just have to be able to find the resources and move forward and do your best."
BCC alum Paul Johansen, a masters-level biostatistician, earned an associate degree in criminal justice in 2012. That eventually led to him becoming an adjunct faculty member
in the math department at BCC, where he has taught for over 10 years.
Johansen, who struggles with depression, describes in his video two particularly difficult times in his life: dropping out of med school and going through a divorce. He credits
his "very strong support system" of friends and family with helping through tough times.
Johansen has also seen many therapists, and he encourages anyone struggling with depression to seek therapy. But he said he doesn't let his depression define him.
"I try to rely on the things that I do enjoy. I play violin. I do photography. Those things give me joy, and focusing on what makes me happy has been helpful over the years,"
he said.
Jess Levy is a middle school science teacher in the Pittsfield public schools. She graduated from BCC in 2019 with an associate degree in biological science and went on to complete her bachelor's degree at Westfield State University.
Levy was salutatorian of her class at BCC, which she calls "an amazing honor," especially because she has ADHD. "People don't always see it in me, but I always see it in me. I always feel it in me," Levy said in her video.
It wasn't until she got to BCC that Levy truly found the support system she needed to succeed. Still, having ADHD means constantly pivoting to cope with school or work, and Levy said she still learns new tools to help her succeed.
As a middle school teacher, Levy shares her coping skills with her students.
"They see that I'm human and that I have struggles, and I support them in theirs, so we work together," she said. "I just want people to know that a disability is not a reason to not pursue your dreams. It's a reason to push harder, because we can totally do it."
A survey was recently conducted at the conclusion of the project. An overwhelming majority of respondents stated that the videos changed their perception of individuals with disabilities; changed the way they teach and/or work; and, if disabled, stated that they were more likely to request accommodations if and when they are needed.
"Those were the goals of this project, and I couldn't be happier with the results," Pam said.
To view all the videos in the Breaking Barriers series, or to submit a video of your own, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/breaking-barriers.
BCC welcomes videos from members of the public who wish to contribute to this important project.
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