The Disabled Students Programs and Services at Glendale Community College is a place of academic and personal support for many students. The two main offices which branch out are the Center for Students with Disabilities and the Accommodation Resource Center. On October 27th, Dr. Maryam Golyakh, GCC’s learning disability specialist, shared some insight on her role and the resources offered. 

While many students with disabilities have their accommodations set up with the office, there are also options for those who may not be in the same position. “We are not allowed to diagnose because we are not psychologists, but we are assessing the students to make them eligible for services,” Dr. Golyakh said. This can be especially useful for individuals who may not have insurance, have not been tested, or lost documentation. There are typically math and reading assessments that are given, with the ultimate goal of helping the student identify their strengths and weaknesses. From there, a learning specialist like Dr. Golyakh can guide the student through fitting learning techniques to tackle those goals. 

The ARC Office also provides resources to students with disabilities, on a more personal scale. “We have a very good tutor here that tutors Math and English… there is no limit for that,” she said. One person students can refer to for this is Mauricio Melendez, who also works as the Instructional Support Technician. As a whole, GCC offers free tutoring through places like the Learning Center and Math Discovery Center. However, with the ARC Office providing a designated team and a mindful space, students with disabilities are further set up for academic success. 

Dr. Golyakh was generous enough to reflect back on her time as a learning disability specialist and share some key advice. “If anything comes to your mind, you have the ability to do it,” she said. “Always rephrase negative talks with yourself that it may take more time than others, but I will do my best.” Though it seems like such a small detail, training ourselves to shift our focus ultimately uplifts us in life. 

Alongside her concept of positive thinking, Dr. Golyakh also took a moment to discuss common misconceptions among students with disabilities. “They say that people with disabilities, they cannot learn … or they cannot succeed,” she said. “People with disabilities can do everything that people with their abilities can do.”

To paint a better picture in which we can switch this mindset surrounding this group, Dr. Golyakh recalls a time she and a student were learning fractions. She explains how she would write fractions across a white board horizontally. The student she was helping struggled, not with the math itself, but the format in which it was presented. Dr. Golyakh made a change to better fit the student’s needs and instead wrote the same equation vertically. “And then bang … she was able to understand better,” she said. “Not everyone is learning through the way you’re explaining. If the student is a deer in the headlights, just change what you’re saying.” This perspective is especially essential to teachers and mentors who might assume a student’s lack of understanding roots from not paying attention or not putting in effort. 

Going through your academic career as a student with disabilities can be extremely daunting, even more so when you struggle to find the resources available around you. GCC prioritizes student needs and has many success routes available, depending on each individual. With DSPS having two main offices, each with designated support teams, they encourage students to come by anytime. As for Dr. Golyakh, GCC’s learning disability specialist, her warmth and extensive knowledge stretches beyond the doors of the ARC Office.