College of Adaptive Arts to receive city of San Jose commendation from Mayor Sam Liccardo

May 5, 2020

When: Tuesday, March 12, 6pm, San Jose City Hall


What: Student Ambassador Curtis Kitaji will speak on behalf of College of Adaptive Arts. He’ll be joined by 15 of his fellow student college students. Watch Curtis’ 1-minute CreaTV PSA here underwritten by Heritage Business Bank.


Why: College of Adaptive Arts turns 10 years old in 2019. It’s the first model of its kind in the country. It’s grown operationally 750% since inception in 2009.


About CAA: College of Adaptive Arts (CAA) provides an equitable collegiate experience to adults with special needs who historically have not had access to college education. CAA has grown over 750% since inception in 2009. CAA began with 1 musical theatre class, renting space during the day at Capitol Dance Company in south San Jose, with a student enrollment of 12. As of Winter Quarter 2019, CAA offers 45 different classes each week, enrolling a student body of 112, all adults with special needs who are not able to access an accredited Associate’s Degree.


CAA has received an underwriting from Cisco for 4 Bay Area LIFE Segments in 2019:


  • The first is an overview of CAA & focus on community partners, including City Lights Theatre Company: Watch Here

  • The second segment focuses on students and families: Watch Here

  • The third segment will focus on CAA Professors and Staff, over half of whom are also adults with disabilities.

  • The forth will focus on CAA turning 10 years old in 2019 and the vision to take this model nationwide to become the Special Olympics-type model for education.


For More Information:
DeAnna Pursai
Executive Director
Cell: 408-394-6816 
Email: deanna@collegeofadaptivearts.org

Where the System Ends, CAA Begins. We Built the College We Couldn't Find. CAA Story #16: Board Member Ravinder Lal

By DeAnna Pursai • June 8, 2026
Ravinder has done *so much* to Move the Mountain for College of Adaptive Arts :)

Where the System Ends, CAA Begins. We Built the College We Couldn't Find. CAA Story #15: Student Jonathan N.

By DeAnna Pursai • June 1, 2026
Jonathan strives to be an NFL Cheerleader one day.

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

Subscribe to our mailing list

Are you a current family looking for Weekly Updates? Sign into the student portal or subscribe to our weekly email list.

Subscribe

Share