Mark Keppel High School’s Aztec Amigos Community (AAC) Club held the Disabilities Awareness Fair as part of their commitment to building a strong and inclusive school community where every student feels they belong. (Photo Credit: Brayton Andrade, Ricardo Padillo, & Karlie Yonemoto, AUSD Communications Interns)
Written by Madison Kang, AUSD Communications Intern
Mark Keppel High School (MKHS) recently held a Disabilities Awareness Fair, an impactful event dedicated to fostering empathy, understanding, and inclusivity on campus. Organized by the Aztec Amigos Community Club with support from the special education department, the fair offered hands-on experiences designed to help students appreciate the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
The fair was open to English classes and featured a range of activities simulating various visual, auditory, mobility, and communication challenges stemming from disabilities. From navigating obstacle courses while wearing blackout glasses to exploring alternative communication methods, the fair provided an impactful learning experience and helped students gain valuable insights into the perspectives and experiences of people with disabilities.
Stephanie Hardy, a Special Education teacher and advisor for the Aztec Amigos, spoke to the significance of the event. “Inclusion has positive outcomes for everyone. We organized this fair to build a more compassionate school environment and increase awareness about the daily challenges some people face.”
One especially impactful activity focused on communication disorders. At this booth, students learned how some people with speech impairments may know exactly what they want to say but struggle to articulate it. By attempting to speak with marshmallows in their mouths, students gained a firsthand understanding of the frustrations associated with communication barriers.
The Disabilities Awareness Fair aligns with the broader mission of the Aztec Amigos Community Club, which strives to create an inclusive school culture. The club also runs initiatives like the Coffee Cart, where students experience social interaction and practical job skills as they sell coffee to staff members on block-schedule mornings. Additionally, the club participates in local unified sports tournaments, encouraging students with and without disabilities to come together as teammates.
Reflecting on the fair, students expressed newfound empathy from what they learned. “Trying the blackout glasses and using wheelchairs really opened my eyes,” shared one attendee. “It showed me how much harder everyday life can be for some people, and how important it is to have spaces that work for everyone.”
Looking ahead, Aztec Amigos plans to continue its outreach, aiming to engage more of the MKHS community through social media and future events. For updates on the club’s activities, follow them on Instagram: @aztecamigosclub.
