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A.C.E. Spotlight: Ciara Calsita, Ambassador for Access Career Quest

Upon first impression, Ciara Calsita may appear shy and soft-spoken. However, it won’t be long before you discover her passion and dedication for her work as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. Her hobbies include reading, watching movies, listening to music, and doing crafts such as scrapbooking. She has a strong support system among her family (including her four dogs) and friends.

At the age of 18, Ciara was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disorder. In 2006, an inflammation on her spine caused by lupus resulted in her becoming paraplegic. However, these obstacles did not stop Ciara from excelling academically and professionally. In 2008, Ciara graduated from California State University of Long Beach with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology and a Minor in Communication Studies.

In 2010, Ciara became the Long Beach ambassador for Access Career Quest (also known as GRADS Without Limits). AccessCQ provides resources including education of Social Security’s Work Incentives programs for individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment. As an ambassador, Ciara’s role is to serve as a peer-to-peer counselor to assist students transitioning from college to career. 

Ciara is also active among other organizations within the disabled community. Not only is she the incentive and employment development specialist for A.C.E., Ciara also serves as a board member for the DisABLED Professional Association (DPA). DPA is an organization striving to support persons with disabilities on their path to professional success. Through varies advocacy involvement, Ciara hopes to “encourage and educate individuals with disabilities toward quality employment and to furthering their education.”

Ciara will be one of our storytellers for this month’s Happy Friday. If you would like to learn more about Ciara or have questions for her, join us this Friday!

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About Happy Friday

Happy Friday is an event held every other month, with the intention of promoting disability awareness, while at the same time, serving as an environment to foster lasting, empowering connections in the Long Beach community.

October's Happy Friday will be held on October 18th, from 6-8pm.
Location: 1406 Obispo Ave Long Beach, CA 90804

View the event page for Happy Friday on Facebook

A.C.E. Spotlight: Brian Gutierrez of Disability Moving Forward

Disability Moving Forward (DMF) is an organization focusing on disability awareness as well as peer counseling for individuals with disabilities. DMF consists of president and peer counselor, Brian Gutierrez, vice president and peer counselor, Genaro Olvera, secretary Anthony Guerrero, and treasurer Bhumit Shah, making the Executive Board for the organization.

Brian Gutierrez is an incredibly active member in his community. He has had past experiences working with non-profits such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation and is a current ambassador for Corazon De Vida. In addition, he is a member of the Cerritos College Sociology Club and was president of the club from 2011-2012. Being involved in these organizations was an influencing factor for Brian to start his own organization.

While attending Cerritos College as a sociology major, Brian met fellow students with disabilities.  He observed that many individuals experienced insecurities due to their disabilities. According to Brian, as someone living with Spina Bifida, “[he] knew [he] wanted to help the disabled community in a best possible way [he] can provide, but didn't know when or how until now.” “It has always been a passion of mine,” says Brian.

Disability Moving Forward strives to “enhance the lives of the disabled individuals through motivation in aspects such as: physically, mentally, and spiritually (despite their spiritual background)”. Currently, DMF provides peer counseling through their Facebook group page where members can interact with and support one another. One-on-one counseling is also available through email correspondence. DMF also provides resource referrals such as rehabilitation programs, gym programs for the disabled, and mobility programs.

Though DMF was established less than a year ago, Brian Gutierrez has planned many long-term goals for the organization. First, they want to enhance the lives of youth with disabilities through self-esteem building, academic enrichment, and involvement within the community. Secondly, DMF want to reach out to individuals with disabilities and connect them with other individuals who share similar experiences. Thirdly, DMF aims to spread disability awareness to the broader community. Disability Moving Forward is hoping to gain non-profit status by next Spring.

In addition to plans for DMF, Brian also has long-term personal goals.  Brian plans to attend California State University of Fullerton to pursue a career in social work/counseling for youth with developmental/physical disabilities. He also plans to release an autobiography in early 2016, stating, “I strongly feel that my story will not only impact the disabled community, but the broader community as well.”

Disability Moving Forward is hosting their first event, the Ability Connections Community Potluck, on October 5th in collaboration with A.C.E. and Youth Empowering Success. This event is for those who want to learn more about each organization or to connect with others in the disabled community.

Find out more about the Ability Connections Community Potluck

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Learn more about Disability Moving Forward:

Disability Moving Forward Facebook page
Disability Moving Forward Facebook group

Cynde Soto: Long Beach’s Own Bionic Woman

Downtown Long Beach resident, Cynde Soto, has accomplished more in one year's time than most people will achieve in an entire lifetime. With each passing year, her long list of triumphs never ceases to grow. Virtually no feat that life offers her is an easy one, as Cynde's body is of very little use to her. Nonetheless, she remains undeterred, and her beautiful mind, and highly positive attitude, make her a force to be reckoned with.

Cynde was born with Arthrogryposis, a congenital disability that prevents her from walking and significantly impairs the movement of her hands, as well as her arms. Doctors did not expect her to live beyond twenty-one years of age.

Today, at the age of “56 years young,” Cynde’s steadfast determination is boundless, and more evident than ever.  The inner-strength and self-confidence she possesses is remarkable, and she never fails to put these assets to good use; these qualities, among others, serve to make her an inspiration to all who meet her.

Several years ago, Cynde sustained a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed below her shoulders. Undaunted, she taps away on her computer, and manipulates a mouse, using only her chin and mouth.

Cynde has been a disability rights advocate since the age of 19. Her efforts have substantially impacted many facets of disabled rights, including accessible public transportation, peer counseling and hate-crime activism.

Cynde is a graduate of the California Conference for Equality and Justice’s (CCEJ) training program, which assists victims of hate crime and bias incidents in Long Beach. She has held board and membership positions on the Dial-a-Lift Access Appeals Board for Long Beach Transit; Californians for Disability Rights, Beech-Wood Chapter (president, 1993–1996); Citizens Advisory Commission on Disabilities for the City of Long Beach; the ADA Transition Plan Committee for the City of Long Beach; and the Long Beach Transit/Paratransit Advisory Committee.

In addition, Cynde has extensive training in legislation, conflict resolution, and public speaking, as well as in many other practices related to disabled advocacy.

Three years ago, KABC-news organized an investigation of Los Angeles County’s Motor Transit Authority’s continuous ADA violations. Cynde proudly partook in this investigation by serving as an  undercover participant, in the hopes of enhancing public awareness of the profound humiliation and disrespect endured on the part of disabled transit passengers in the Los Angeles area. She declared a need for change, and her efforts brought huge, long-lasting, and beneficial improvements for disabled transit passengers everywhere. Cynde’s impact in this area is far-reaching, crossing the city’s borders,  thereby, continuing to have a positive influence on the county, the state and the country.

For the past five years, she worked on state budget issues pertaining to those in the disabled community. Last year, she was sent twice to both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to represent three different organizations to the state Assembly, Senate and Congress to educate them about the needs and concerns of the disabled.

“There have been cuts, but not as severe as the legislators and the governor wanted,” Cynde said. “We were able to slow down the process so they didn't happen as quickly as proposed.”

Last year, Cynde was awarded a 27th Senate District's Women of Distinction Award by Senator Alan Lowenthal, who recognized her at a special reception.

Cynde Soto with Senator Alan Lowenthal

Lowenthal made the following statement about Cynde:

“Cynde exemplifies this award. [We] both served on the MTA Gateway Cities Sector Council together. She was the first person selected to fill the position representing the disabled community, and she served with distinction. She is highly respected by all who know her, and for that reason, she was often selected as an advocate. She picks her battles wisely and fights for accessible transit, housing and independence for those with disabilities. She is a powerful voice for the disabled community.”

Two years ago, Cynde was honored with a “Go Long Beach” award.  This recognition is given to individuals who have made an impact on the First District, as well as Long Beach, in general.

One would think that Cynde’s “spare time” involves resting at home, and allowing herself to be cared for. In actuality, her work seems to be a large source of fuel for the fire that drives her incredible mind and spirit; Cynde uses her work to “recharge her batteries” and keep her psyche strong.

One of Cynde's interests include producing artwork made of “found objects”. According to Cynde,

"Found object art has a long history in the fine arts world. I’ve been asked 'why collect broken junk?' Well, I can relate to these broken and discarded objects as a person with a disability. Someone has decided that the objects I find are no longer useful because they don’t look or function like they used to or should. I, on the other hand, can see their innate beauty and usefulness. Much of society has decided that people with disabilities are dispensable and useless, so I feel compelled, driven even to collect broken and discarded objects to organize them into beautiful and much useful artwork."

Before her complete paralysis, she created small detailed color-enhanced laser prints from collages she made, using an assorted variety of random objects she had found. The dreamlike creations still symbolize her way of expressing concern for the limited resources of Mother Earth. They have been exhibited throughout California. “My art expresses the unspoken of my consciousness,” Cynde said.

She now volunteers at the Information Center for People with Disabilities (ICPD) at the Main Long Beach Library, assisting patrons with specially adapted computers. As a lifelong learner, she completed the Housing Long Beach Leadership Academy and is now Board President for Housing Long Beach.

“So, now I am taking what I learned from the Academy and from my life experience and teaching a course called ‘Leadership through Advocacy,’” Cynde said. “The class will increase the confidence and advocacy skills of our students and their sense of disability pride.”

Cynde’s students all have disabilities and attend the class in downtown L.A. The class goals include history of disability and the ADA,  fostering new leadership, consumer education, public speaking and communication through the media and community organizing.

As a woman who makes all different kinds of differences, Cynde Soto richly deserves her acclaim, and will inspire everyone who knows and learns about her to make differences in their own right. She is amazing in every sense of the word.

Written by Kate Karp
Edited by Tierney Cameron

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Hear Cynde speak at Happy Friday! 

Happy Friday is a monthly event held at the end of each month, with the intention of promoting disability awareness, while at the same time, serving as an environment to foster lasting, empowering connections in the Long Beach community.

When: Friday, July 26 from 6pm-8pm
Where: Pathpoint, 1406 Obispo Ave, Long Beach CA 90804

Check out our facebook for more information about the event!