College for youth with disabilities

Here's an online alert from Reference Points, passed on by Carol Kocivar, SFUSD's ombudsperson for special education. Below the announcement of the University of Iowa's new program are more resources about opportunities for youths with cognitive disabilities, autism and other disabilities.

The University of Iowa College of Education introduces the R.E.A.C.H Program
(Realizing Educational and Career Hopes), a unique two-year certificate program for young adults with multiple learning and cognitive disabilities.

The R.E.A.C.H Program, one of the first of its kind at a major public university, combines academic instruction, career experiences, community involvement, and campus and residential life to create a dynamic collegiate experience. Through the R.E.A.C.H Program, students are empowered and provided with the skills necessary to become independent, engaged, and contributing members of their community. Enrollment will begin in fall 2008 and applications are now being accepted. The application deadline is March 1, 2008; however, campus interviews will be held beginning Fall 2007.

Websites with additional information on postsecondary educational opportunities for individuals with learning and cognitive disabilities


HEATH RESOURCE CENTER
The George Washington University HEATH Resource Center is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Visit their "Links" pages and scroll down to the specific category you seek (for example, autism, TBI, intellectual disability, transition from high school) to find many other websites that provide information on postsecondary options for a person with autisim or cognitive/intellectual disabilities.

INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY INCLUSION
ICI offers training, clinical, and employment services, conducts research, and provides assistance to organizations to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in school, work, and community activities. Links to their online resources can be found here.


NATIONAL CENTER ON SECONDARY EDUCATION AND TRANSITION (NCSET)
NCSET Topics are written specifically for the Web and contain information and resources within key areas that affect the lives of youth with disabilities in secondary education and transition. Each topic contains an introduction, frequently asked questions, related research, emerging practices, Web sites, and additional resources. Links to these resources can be found here.

ON CAMPUS OUTREACH (OCO)
On this site, you will find articles, fact sheets, on-line training modules, contacts for programs in Maryland, and related websites on serving students with intellectual disabilities in postsecondary settings who still receive special education services in public schools.

STEPS FORWARD INCLUSIVE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION SOCIETY
STEPS Forward Inclusive Post-secondary Education Society was incorporated in 2001 by a group of parents concerned that there was no place in society for their children with intellectual disabilities as they reached adulthood — no place for lifelong education, no place for employment, no place to participate as citizens. STEPS' mandate is to transform post-secondary education in the province of British Columbia by modelling inclusion for students with intellectual disabilities, starting at UBC (STEPS-Campus) and eventually expanding to other colleges and universities throughout the lower mainland and the rest of the province.

THINKCOLLEGE.NET
Youth with intellectual disabilities have not had many chances to go to college. This is changing as individuals across the country begin to create opportunities for these youth to reap the benefits of postsecondary education. This website will provide information and links to anyone interested in finding out more about the possibilities.

TRANSITION COALITION
The Transition Coalition provides online information, support, and professional development on topics focusing on the transition from school to adult life for youth for transition professionals.

REFERENCE POINTS is administered by PACER Center as a technical assistance activity of the TATRA Project. The TATRA Project is
funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Click here to SUBSCRIBE to REFERENCE POINTS.

Readers are invited to send information about new resources on secondary
education, transition and vocational rehabilitation topics to
tatra@pacer.org