Student internships aimed at teaching tech skills

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is partnering with a school district and other agencies to offer internships to students with disabilities through the nationwide Project SEARCH program. Students will learn soft and hard job skills, such as using technology and managing money, through the 10-month program. WJTV-TV (Jackson, Miss.)

Autism Not A Barrier For 16-Year-Old College Freshman

Oftentimes, colleges shy away from accommodating the unique needs of students on the spectrum, but that is starting to change. Read More >

7 Steps for Success (2014) (Guide)

 

The Council for Exceptional Children has released “7 Steps for Success,” a book on the transition from high school to college. This transition is challenging for any student, but for young adults with disabilities, it can be even more difficult. In addition to increased academic demands and less structure and support, students have to navigate a disability services system very different from the one they knew in high school. This practical guide describes how the system for accommodations works and students’ rights and responsibilities within that system, uses the voices of actual professionals and college students to explain the skills and strategies students should develop while they are in high school to ensure success in college, and answers questions students with disabilities frequently ask about disclosing their disability in the admissions process.  http://www.cec.sped.org/Tools-and-Resources/CECommunity/Transition-Publications

8 tips to help colleges meet needs of students with autism

Colleges and universities increasingly have to meet the unique needs of students with autism, according to this article. While many offer typical disability services, some schools go a step further and offer fee-based supports for such students. Brittany Joseph and Lauren Kelley with First Year Experience at Owens Community College in Ohio, share eight tips that can help colleges work with this student population. eCampus News (free registration) (4/11)   http://www.ecampusnews.com/curriculum/autism-profs-campus-691/

Introducing "Welcome to the Autistic Community"!

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has published two new education books co-written by ASAN's communications team and the Autism NOW center. Two versions of Welcome to the Autistic Community, an "Adolescent" version written at a sixth-grade reading level, and an "Adult", version written in standard simple English are available for free download on the ASAN website. Welcome to the Autistic Community introduces newly-diagnosed Autistic people to the community and answers common questions they might have, covering topics such as legal rights and identity.

Also check out : Navigating College - A Handbook on Self-Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults. This handbook offers tips & suggestions about several different issues that people with autism and other developmental disabilities may encounter in college.

The Autism NOW Center is a repository of resources & information about Autism Spectrum Disorders & other developmental disabilities. They create & disseminate dynamic, interactive, & accessible information products to people with autism, their families, and other key stakeholders.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a nonprofit organization run by and for Autistic people. ASAN was created to provide support and services to individuals on the autism spectrum, while working to educate the public about autism. http://autisticadvocacy.org/

High-tech program helps students with disabilities earn degrees

The University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering's Distance Education Network uses a high-tech program to help students, including some with disabilities, earn degrees online. The program has issued more than 3,000 engineering degrees and has gone from just broadcasting lectures to providing an interactive classroom that allows students to participate fully in discussions. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (1/2)  http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-usc-roboticist-20140102,0,7418234.story

The Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CSESA) Web Site

 

The Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CSESA) is a research and development project funded by the U.S. Department of Education that focuses on developing, adapting, and studying a comprehensive school-based and community-based education program for high school students on the autism spectrum. This five year project brings together experts in autism, secondary education, adolescence, and implementation to work in collaboration with high schools, families, adolescents with ASD, and community members. The CSESA web site provides information and discussion on the project’s work.  http://csea.fpg.unc.edu/

Students Become Caregivers For Roommate With Special Needs

A college student who needs help with everything from showering to dressing and even getting out of bed is receiving all that and more from a group of devoted friends turned roommates.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/12/02/students-caregivers-roommate/18928/

College or Training Programs: How to Decide

 

Heading straight to college from high school may not be the best option for all students. Other choices include a full-time job, attending a technical school or community college, or seeking training in a specialized area. Our article from the PACER Center can help students consider their path and take their first steps.  http://www.ldonline.org/article/12768/

Study Suggests Community Colleges Provide Advantages for Young Adults with Autism

Graduation rates higher when college students with autism start in a community college; advantage greatest for science/tech majors 
New research finds community colleges may play a particularly important role in fostering transition into productive lives for individuals on the autism spectrum.  The findings appear this week in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.  http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/study-suggests-community-colleges-provide-advantages-young-adults-autism?utm_source=email&utm_medium=text-link&utm_campaign=sciencedigest

Autism Speaks Launches Two New Resources for Life After High School!

With about one third of youth with autism attending college in young adulthood, Autism Speaks wants to offer the best possible postsecondary education resources. The new Postsecondary Educational Opportunities Guide will help you explore all of the various options available to you after high school. The Brian & Patricia Kelly Postsecondary Scholarship Fund will select postsecondary programs to provide funding for scholarships to young adults on the spectrum.  http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/postsecondary 

Think College! Family Perspectives Webinar

Five parents, including Julie Sinclair of the Federation for Children with Special Needs (Massachusetts’ PTI) will share lessons learned based on experiences with their children with intellectual disabilities attending college. April  17,2013    https://events-na6.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/839220836/en/events/event/shared/1152068189/event_landing.html?sco-id=1150098085

Finding Your Career Path Abroad

 

Ever thought about encouraging youth with disabilities to consider traveling abroad as an international exchange student? or how it could positively influence their career path? The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) aims to increase the participation & inclusion of people with disabilities in international exchange opportunities. NCDE has a variety of resources that assist in successful programming including a comprehensive website with guidance tips on inclusion & accommodations, financial aid resources, searchable databases on international exchange programs, free consulting services, publications, & much more. Past participants have experienced a profound impact on their careers.

To read more, click on this article: Find Your Career Path for more ways in which international exchange has led to career advancement for people with disabilities. http://www.miusa.org/publications/books/findyourcareerpath?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social%2Bmedia&utm_term=ncde&utm_content=career%2Baway&utm_campaign=Stories

Online courses can help students with autism go to college

Many students with autism do not continue their education past high school, but many are capable with the right supports, writes Dana Reinecke, assistant professor at The Sage Colleges in Troy, N.Y., which offers an online bachelor's program for students with autism. Online courses deliver the lessons in the same structure and format, so students can focus on learning the material rather than navigating different class structures, she notes. "Not only does an online education remove the challenges of navigating a campus and filtering out extraneous social and other stimuli, but it also allows for consistency in formatting." Edutopia.org/Dana Reinecke's blog (1/24)

Online courses can help students w/ autism go to college

Many students with autism do not continue their education past high school, but many are capable with the right supports, writes Dana Reinecke, assistant professor at The Sage Colleges in Troy, N.Y., which offers an online bachelor's program for students with autism. Online courses deliver the lessons in the same structure and format, so students can focus on learning the material rather than navigating different class structures, she notes. "Not only does an online education remove the challenges of navigating a campus and filtering out extraneous social and other stimuli, but it also allows for consistency in formatting." Edutopia.org/Dana Reinecke's blog (1/24)   http://www.edutopia.org/post-secondary-outcomes-students-with-autism-dana-reinecke

New Online B.A. in Disability Studies from CUNY School of Professional Studies

 

This year, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS) debuted a new, fully online B.A. in Disability Studies. As the first and only undergraduate program of its kind in the country, the Online B.A. in Disability Studies gives you the skills to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and paves the way for job advancement within the field.   You can tailor the program to meet your individual career pursuits by electing a concentration in one of the following areas:

Intellectual/Developmental Disability Autism Spectrum Disorder Mental/Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Disability Studies

CUNY SPS invites you to attend their free webinar on Tuesday, December 4th at 12:30pm EST to learn more about the Online B.A. in Disability Studies. Click here to register for the webinar. 

CUNY SPS is happy to answer any questions that you may have about the Online B.A. in Disability Studies. Contact them at inquiry@sps.cuny.edu or 212.652.2869.

•University offers "smartpen" device for note-taking support

Pennsylvania State University's Office for Disability Services is loaning "smartpen" devices to students with disabilities as part of a pilot program. The LiveScribe smartpen device uses special paper and digitizes students' notes, as well as the audio of a lesson, which can then be uploaded to students' computers. GantDaily.com (Clearfield, Pa.) (10/26)  http://gantdaily.com/2012/10/26/smartpen-pilot-program-helps-students-with-disabilities/

Students with intellectual disabilities attend college program

The University of Tennessee's FUTURE program allows students with intellectual disabilities to attend college, participating in specialized courses and enrolling in one academic and one physical-education course each semester. Students with disabilities also receive support from student mentors, who help with homework, navigating campus and other tasks. WBIR-TV (Knoxville, Tenn.)   http://www.wbir.com/news/article/237204/2/UT-program-gives-students-with-intellectual-disabilities-chance-to-attend-college

What are the keys to college success for students with disabilities?

A new study reveals some factors that may help students with disabilities succeed in college, including strong self-advocacy and relationship-building skills. "To level the playing field for people with disabilities by encouraging college education and completion, it is essential to learn the factors supporting degree completion," study leader Paula Barber of Rutgers University said. Disability Scoop (10/22)   http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/10/22/self-college-disabilities/16698/

■College in Mass. is developing new ABA master's program

A new Master of Science program beginning next year at Regis College in Weston, Mass., will train professionals in applied behavioral therapy, a treatment aimed to address autism spectrum disorder that also can be used in special education and other settings. A new state law requiring more insurers to cover the cost of the treatment reportedly has prompted an increase in demand for services. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (10/6)  http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/10/06/regis-college-creates-program-work-with-growing-numbers-autistic/IcuUaSSvSSHYJytuXV8n7H/story.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5