Delta Alpha Pi student members include (left to right): Fiona Pearson, Sarah Ysordia, Ryan Brener, Aidan Wood, Ekho the mascot, Caleb Loera, Bridget Janzen, and Jodi Kautz, DAPi co-advisor and DASS Counselor.
An honor society recognizing high-achieving students with disabilities is working to promote greater accessibility and inclusivity on CSUCI’s campus.
In its third year, the Eta Zeta chapter of Delta Alpha Pi (DAPi) has 62 members and an unwavering mission to support and advocate for students with disabilities.
“Through Delta Alpha Pi, I’ve not only found like-minded individuals but also a platform to actively contribute to the ongoing mission of making our campus an inclusive space for all,” said DAPi President Ryan Brener, a senior from Los Angeles majoring in Biology.
The CSUCI chapter is one of about 200 DAPi chapters across the nation and is open to undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who have a GPA of 3.1 or higher. The organization supports the academic achievement, leadership, and advocacy of its members through workshops, guest speakers, and mentorship opportunities. It also works to spread awareness about disabilities and available resources to the broader campus community. The group meets regularly on the first Friday of every month at 1 p.m.
“Delta Alpha Pi is more than a mere honors society,” Brener said. “It’s a passionate, dedicated community committed to advocating for and supporting students with disabilities. Our goal lies in creating an inclusive campus culture and providing invaluable resources to empower our members to thrive, both academically and personally.”
Worldwide, one out of every six people experiences significant disability. In a 2021 survey of CSUCI students, 8% self-identified as having a disability.
“Students with disabilities are a diverse group,” said Professor Tiina Itkonen, a DAPi co-advisor. “Some disabilities are visible, and some are invisible. The important thing to show is that students with disabilities are also honor students. Students who happen to have disabilities—that’s just one marker of who they are.”
Through Disability Accommodations & Support Services (DASS), CSUCI students can access services like note taking, alternative testing and media, ASL interpreters, real-time captioning, lecture recording, and other forms of support. DASS counselor Jodi Kautz says working with the students as a DAPi co-advisor has helped her become a better advocate and ally.
“What I enjoy most is connecting students to one another and seeing them thrive and recognize one another,” she said. “I love advocating with them and giving them the empowerment to voice their needs and rally others with them.”
DAPi Vice President Sarah Ysordia, a senior Liberal Studies and Political Science major from Oxnard, says CSUCI has been responsive in supporting her journey as a student who is deaf and blind.
“We have seen improvements every semester,” she said. “One example: The drivers for Uber and Lyft had a difficult time finding Arroyo Hall and, when they did, were unsure where to drop me off, which caused me to lose my orientation and need help to find my way. This semester there is a large sign with an arrow stating where the DASS Center is. It has a big green flag over it, right next to the accessible walkway. They are doing great lately. I love them all.”