Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Higher Ed and National Service: Making the Connection Molly Boyle October 1, 2009

2 Corporation for National & Community Service Information on the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS): A federal agency established in 1993 and reauthorized in 2009 with the passage of the Kennedy Serve America Act to provide opportunities for ALL Americans to give back to their communities through service and volunteering CNCS mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering Structured volunteer service opportunities are provided through three major programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Initiatives to be established with the Serve America Act reinforce CNCS’ commitment to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities

3 Why Volunteer Through a National Service Program In addition to the many benefits, participants who volunteer in a National Service program are eligible to receive: – A living stipend – An education award – Health insurance, as needed – Child care benefits, as needed

March 31, 2009 House of Representatives passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. April 21, 2009 President Obama signed the bill into law. Reauthorizes the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs through Information contained in this PowerPoint is for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

“…ensure that students of different ages, races, sexes, ethnic groups, disabilities, & economic backgrounds have opportunities to serve together” “…includes as participants youths and young adults who are age 16 through 25, including …youth who are individuals with disabilities” “…collaborate with org’s with demonstrated expertise in supporting and accommodating individuals with disabilities, including institutions of higher education, to increase the number of participants with disabilities.” “provide and disseminate information regarding methods to make service-learning programs and programs offered under the national service laws accessible to individuals with disabilities”

6 To help an individual decide which national service program is best suited to their needs, go to: or or President Obama’s newest site:

7 Connecting Through the National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) The ICI at UMass Boston manages the National Service Inclusion Project [NSIP] Please go to: for extensive information on the Corporation’s disability inclusion initiativeswww.serviceandinclusion.org Contact information: Paula Sotnik, Director

Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 Improve access to post-secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities including: – New eligibility for Financial Aid – Model Demonstration Programs – Coordinating Center

Definition from HEOA The term “student with an intellectual disability” means a student: with mental retardation or a cognitive impairment, characterized by significant limitations in intellectual and cognitive functioning; and adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills; and who is currently, or was formerly, eligible for a free appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

THREE FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECTS Research, training/technical assistance and model demonstration related to increasing access to postsecondary education for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities

What does access to college mean? The pathways may be different, but the benefits are similar for all students. As for all individuals, service can fit into a number of places on the pathway to and from college.

What are the benefits for individuals with intellectual disabilities? Gained content area skills (e.g., computer skills) that relate to employment Developed new life and self-advocacy skills Learned to travel independently (some students utilized public transit for the first time in their lives) Created opportunities for students to consider attending college after high school, for individuals who believed post-secondary education was not in their future Achieved significant improvements in self esteem Encouraged participation in the community

Model Practices for Higher Education Inclusion Person Centered Planning Universal Design Mentoring Coaching Self-advocacy & Independence Local and/or Regional Cross Agency Coordinating Team Creative and Collaborative Funding Competitive Employment

Universal Design Consider the needs of the broadest possible range of users from the beginning. Thus, improving access to college and work for individuals with disabilities improves access for all.

Coaching Job Coach, Educational Coach, Life Coach, Mentors: all these titles describe a similar role that can help students with intellectual disabilities. Coaches are sometimes described as detectives & anthropologists, identifying a variety of strategies and methods which will allow the person to be a valued and accepted student/worker, with the absolute minimum of support provided directly by the coach.

How coaches can support success Help individuals to understand themselves as learners Help individuals to understand and express their support needs Teach individuals how to advocate for themselves Work towards the inclusion of individuals into typical community settings Utilize the available natural supports Provide the absolute minimum supports possible Fade support over time

Planning Tool Possible need for assistance Individual responsibilities Support coach will provide, if any Transportation to and from work site Individual is prepared for the day with all the materials he/she needs Coach helps individual navigate public transportation Communication with supervisor Individual will write s and leave voic s as needed Coach will help individual learn new and voice systems Meetings with team members & supervisor Individual will come to all meetings on time Coach will help to set reminders in the cell phone Requesting accommodations Individual will ask that all printed materials are in large print Coach may help individual to rehearse to ask for accommodations as needed Social Activities (i.e. between tasks, lunch) Individual will participate in lunch activities Coach may help individual observe what people do in their free time during lunch

Resources Think College: Equity and Excellence in Higher Education: National Service Inclusion Project: - Fact Sheet on the SEGAL AmeriCorps Education Award Non-traditional Uses of the Education Award: most_from_the_education_award/nontraditional_ed_award_uses. php The Edward M. Kenedy Serve America Act of 2009: Molly