‘SO HUNGRY TO LEARN’

Excitedly, the college students clustered on Zoom to announce their favorite classes.

“Acting!” said Javier. “Reading!” added Danny. “Writing — it expands your brain,” declared Chris.

As lively as typical students at a typical campus gathering, these students are far from typical. They have cognitive, physical, mental and emotional disabilities — and are pioneers in a new approach to academia, called the College of Adaptive Arts.

The school, based at Saratoga’s West Valley College, is preparing to open its doors in a bigger and better location on campus in January to people who have been denied the opportunity that so many of us take for granted: Higher education.

Already, its ambition and skilled management has earned support for major construction costs from civic organizations and private businesses, as well as officials at West Valley, where it is renovating a vacant building.

But so many smaller things are still desperately needed. Wish Book donations would pay for fresh paint, wall mirrors and new “walkie-talkies” to guide the transport of disabled students around campus. Greater funding would also support student scholarships, COVID-19 protections and so much more.

“This is a labor of love,” said co-founder and executive director Deanna Pursai, a professional educator who conceived of the idea after witnessing the loneliness and boredom of a beloved younger sister, born with Down syndrome, who felt left behind as her peers headed off for advanced studies.

“Our students are so hungry to learn,” said Pursai. With additional support, “they’ll just keep growing, and stretching.”

NHAT V. MEYER — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Bernard Smith, who is a student as well as an assistant professor at the College of Adaptive Arts, practices piano at his San Jose home.