1. The Importance of Listening to Timeline of Inclusion at SU
Program in Evolution: The InclusiveU Initiative at Syracuse University
Diana (”Dee”) Katovitch, Assistant Director & Peer2Peer Coordinator
Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
Introduction
TPSID Cohort
The Importance of Listening to
Our Students
Next Steps
Syracuse University has a long history of working for and with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). After successfully advocating for deinstitutionalization, SU took up the cause for inclusive K-12 education for all students with disabilities. The next step? Inclusive higher education for students with IDD. Initiatives to support college students with IDD have evolved greatly over the last 15 years.
In 2015, Syracuse University’s InclusiveU Program received a prestigious Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) grant from the Department of Education.
The 5 year grant, along with agency partnerships, has allowed the InclusiveU initiative to expand in the following ways:
Campus Mentors: Through agency partner The Kelberman Center, InclusiveU students with self-directed funds have been able to hire SU students to support them on campus. The campus mentors model how to use campus resources, interact with professors, and expand their social circles.
Office for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has approved InclusiveU as a transition program. We have begun offering weekly seminars on adult sexuality, self expression, establishing a circle of support, job readiness skills, as well as one time seminars on topics of interest to college students.
Project SEARCH ™: SU is now a certified host employer of this international program. So far, five students have participated in the intensive one-year internship program in a variety of campus departments. One graduate of Project SEARCH is now employed by Syracuse University as an hourly employee in Parking Services.
Campus Collaboration: InclusiveU staff and students have continued to network with campus faculty and departments and our students are able to access a wider variety of courses than ever before.
Deeper focus on transitioning: InclusiveU is adding a Transition Coordinator to help students and families transitioning into and out of Syracuse University.
On Campus Housing Option: In order to expand access to the program and increase student independence, we are offering a housing option at InclusiveU beginning in Fall We will add a Housing Coordinator to monitor supports for students.
School District Involvement: As part of the TPSID grant, InclusiveU will partner with other local school districts to offer transition age programs to other students in Central New York
Part of the success of InclusiveU is owed to being responsive to student ideas and concerns.
InclusiveU students meet with an academic advisor to select classes connected to their interests and future career goals.
Matriculated students were the first to suggest that InclusiveU students live on campus. They pointed out that most social events happened in the evening or on weekends. Because InclusiveU students commute to campus, they miss out on these opportunities. Beginning in 2017, our students will have the option to live on campus.
Timeline of Inclusion at SU
OnCampus
Seven students from Syracuse City School District begin taking classes at SU as “guest students”
2006 ….. Access
Students from Onondaga Community Living, an agency supporting individuals with IDD, begin auditing classes at SU through University College, SU’s Department of Continuing Education
2011 ….. Peer2Peer
Project is developed under a grant from NIDRR. Non-matriculated students from OnCampus and Access are partnered with matriculated students for deeper campus inclusion. Students begin accessing SU events and socializing with informal student groups
2014 ….. InclusiveU
Students using Self-Directed budgets approved by New York State begin auditing courses. All three groups of students are incorporated into an initiative called InclusiveU
References
InclusiveU students told us how they wanted to be involved in the life of Syracuse University. This includes going to games and sitting in the student section (see the photo above).
InclusiveU students have the opportunity to participate in Peer2Peer (our social strand of InclusiveU), to attend seminars, and apply to Project SEARCH, but student choice is paramount. The students decide on their major and how they wish to structure their college experience.
Find us online!
The link will also take you to our Huffington Post video.
InclusiveU students on a recent apple
picking trip through Peer2Peer