Fresno Unified’s Jason Stansell is happy that the district is finally addressing accessibility issues at the district’s human resources building. But he questions why it took the district months to provide equal access to all.

“The district, as a whole, doesn’t care about disabled individuals, needing services, needing help,” Stansell, a disabled paraprofessional, told GV Wire.  “Everyone should have access to HR.”

Fresno Unified has struggled to comply with federal ADA regulations before.

Last year, the Fresno Teachers Association released a video showing a wheelchair bound teacher, Jackie Esquivel, having to crawl onto a bus and to her seat.

“This isn’t just a building issue — it’s a metaphor for Fresno Unified’s management culture, where compliance is demanded from others but not modeled by leadership,” FTA President Manuel Bonilla said.

However, the district said that there are accommodations for disabled employees.

“Anyone with accessibility needs can be currently accommodated and will continue to be accommodated,” district spokesperson Nikki Henry said.

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Multiple Attempts Made to Solve Issue

Stansell attempted to fix the accessibility issue before finally contacting GV Wire for assistance. He filed complaints with HR, contacted administrative staff, and met with Board President Valerie Davis.

Yet, for months, no change was made.

The HR building has separate entrances for disabled and able-bodied visitors. The ramp-accessible entrance is locked, while the other entrance is open during business hours.

Disabled visitors needed to call in and give a reason for entry, Stansell said. They would then be escorted through the building.

The simple task of meeting to discuss site assignment and handing in a disability notice turned into an arduous and demeaning experience.

“Being escorted through, as if you’re going to steal the silverware. Treated as if we are undesirables,” Stansell told the board of trustees at a recent meeting.

The whole process takes eight times the effort and time it would for an abled-bodied individual, Stansell said.

Now, the district is planning to move staff and place a front desk at the basement level.

“By July, more HR customer service staff will be moved to the basement floor allowing easier access to that level of the building,” Henry said.

A simple fix that should have come months ago, Stansell said.

“That doesn’t seem like immediate action,” Stansell said, “Seems like they’re just responding to the fact that I had to go in front of the board. Now, they’re embarrassed.”

Widespread Lack of Accommodations

Disabled staff have called out Fresno Unified for mistreatment before.

“I am tired of being treated as less than by the district. It’s not just about me; it’s about ensuring that all educators with disabilities are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve,” Esquivel said in a statement released by the FTA last year.

Esquivel said she had to climb the bus on multiple occasions.

Then superintendent Bob Nelson released a video apologizing and promising reform.

“This incident doesn’t align with our values as a district, which includes respect, dignity, love, and just treating the humans in our sphere as humans,” he said in the video, “Every single member of our staff deserves to be treated with the utmost consideration, and any lapse in accommodation falls short of that commitment.”