C— From right, Julian Kantor, 22, and Luis Medina, a paraprofessional educator, ride Muni following Julian’s job placement on Monday, June 1, 2026, in San Francisco, California. While public transportation is a key component of the independence Julian has developed through AccessSFUSD The Arc, it can also expose him to misunderstandings from strangers unfamiliar with cognitive disabilities. Moments before the photograph was made, another passenger became upset after Julian accidentally brushed him with his backpack while taking a seat. As the situation escalated, Louis stepped in to advocate for his student. “I am his teacher,” Louis told the passenger. The man responded, “You ain’t no f—ing teacher. You’re his f—ing caretaker.” Reflecting on the exchange later, Louis said encounters like that are uncommon but can still be painful. “You know, it doesn’t happen too often, but it’s hard,” he said. “It’s hard to hear.”