CAA Launches Innovative Workforce Development Program

DeAnna Pursai • July 14, 2023

Grateful to Supervisor Joe Simitian for his investment for this launch.

We are so tremendously grateful to County Board Supervisor Joe Simitian for supporting College of Adaptive Arts for a Workforce Development Grant for Adults with Disabilities particularly focused on innovative positions on accentuating adults with disabilities’ intellectual inquiry, interests, and passions.


Here's an excerpt from Supervisor Simitian’s office: “the CAA program is intended to provide training and experience for “non-routine” jobs. These jobs promote intellectual and leadership opportunities for participants, and the development of situational awareness and non-linear thinking to adapt to different situations. Candidates for this apprenticeship program are drawn from CAA’s own students, the West Valley College Disability Student Services Program, and other populations that historically have had challenges obtaining work. 


One such potential apprenticeship candidate is CAA student Curtis Kitaji (featured in the photo) joined CAA about 5 years ago; as I type these words, I’m listening to Curtis lead the on-site tour for interested new families and community members as a CAA Student Ambassador. Curtis demonstrated his true abilities, interest, passion, and initiative at the Annual School of Theatre Graduate Musical Theater Production this past Saturday. He took 2 buses to get to the dress rehearsal early in the morning; he was not in the show, he just came to help. When the assigned volunteer who was going to run the teleprompter called in sick, Curtis jumped in right away to run the teleprompter throughout the show so the actors could easily refer to their lines. He did a phenomenal job at tech support and was a tremendous asset to the production.


A second CAA student candidate is a young woman who happens to have a more hidden disability. She’s got so many ideas on helping this school grow strategically. She is kind, resourceful, energetic, and has a plethora ideas on how to better market this school on social media, including Instagram and TikTok. She’s going to become an apprenticeship candidate as we work collaboratively and strategically to create new workforce opportunities, particularly in the higher education space, which align more closely with their intellectual inquiry, talents, and innate abilities.


This is such an exciting and pivotal development at College of Adaptive Arts as we work diligently to create Inclusive Collegiate Partnerships. The sky is truly the limit with exploring new workforce possibilities, and we invite you to join us in this incredible, monumental, and impactful journey.

Here's the full Press Release that was published July 6, 2023:

County Steps Up on Career Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities - Supervisor Joe Simitian District 5 - County of Santa Clara (sccgov.org)



Sign up here to take a tour online or in-person every Friday school is in session:

2023 Weekly Tour Dates - Campaign (collegeofadaptivearts.org)

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By DeAnna Pursai • June 1, 2026
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Where the System Ends, CAA Begins. We Built the College We Couldn't Find: CAA Story #14: Student Samuel H.

By DeAnna Pursai • May 25, 2026
When Samuel Hinojosa first discovered his passion for videography and the performing arts, a passion he says is in his genes because he has family who are also in the arts, participating in theater productions and expressing himself through dance became a part of his daily routine. But when he turned 22, he suddenly aged out of the programs he had come to love, leaving a gap in both his routine and his creative outlet. That’s when a chance meeting completely changed his life. Samuel was in an Angels on Stage production when he just so happened to meet DeAnna Pursai and Dr. Pamela Lindsay in the audience. Realizing he was about to age out of Angels on Stage, they encouraged him to explore the opportunities available to him at CAA. Their guidance led him to finding a new beginning. At CAA, Samuel quickly found a place where he could continue to grow creatively. He enrolled in videography, acting, and dance classes, reconnecting him with his passion for performing. After taking many performing arts classes, Samuel started exploring what other classes CAA had to offer. He has joined the CAA Go Green Climate Action Class, where he did a phenomenal presentation on UNESCO and how climate change is impacting his native roots community in Mexico. Now in his second semester at CAA, Samuel has expanded his interests beyond just the stage and production lens. He’s developed an interest in bodybuilding and nutrition, exploring what those classes can teach him and how he can use that new confidence to improve his life. CAA’s supportive environment has allowed Samuel to continue exploring his passions, while also discovering new ones. It doesn’t matter if he is behind the camera, performing, or focusing on his health and fitness goals, CAA is constantly pushing Samuel to try new things and grow. For Samuel, CAA is not just a place for him to take classes, it is a community where he can express himself, try new things, and keep moving forward. — Written by Nina Pal Volunteer

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By DeAnna Pursai • May 18, 2026
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