Cal Poly Professor to Discuss How the Physically Impaired are Undoing Social Stereotypes Jan. 17

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly’s Provocative Perspectives series continues Thursday, Jan. 17 with a talk by Cal Poly Professor Dennis Fantin entitled "A place at the table: How people with physical impairments are undoing the crippling effects of negative societal stereotypes."

The free event will take place in the Vista Grande Café at Cal Poly, beginning with breakfast at 7:30 a.m., followed by the lecture at 8 a.m.

Fantin, a blind chemistry and physics instructor in Cal Poly's College of Science and Mathematics, teaches introductory and survey courses in chemistry and physics, as well as a course he designed called Nuclear Science and Society.

Since earning his doctorate in biophysics from UC Berkeley in 1991, Fantin has received several federal research and program implementation grants from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Department of State.

He developed and led Cal Poly’s first laboratory chemistry workshop for visually impaired high school students from around the country.

Additionally, Fantin worked extensively in Russia, co-founding the country’s first university-based disability resource center and its first university-based orientation and mobility teacher training program.

As an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley in the early 1970s, Fantin participated in the early stages of the United States disability rights movement.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling 756-0327, or e-mail Liz Cofer at lcofer@calpoly.edu.

Persons with disabilities may request accommodations in advance by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at 805-756-1521.

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