Texas Consortium for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

1. Texas Consortium for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2014

2. Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Project PSO/IDD Project started Fall 2012 • Austin Community College STEPS program • Austin Independent School District Special Education Advisory Committee • Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas • Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas at Austin

3. PSO/IDD Project Mission • The mission of the Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Project is to build a collaboration between organizations that have or support post secondary opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to raise awareness of existing programs available in Central Texas and build support for their expansion and the creation of new programs that lead to life-long learning and meaningful, gainful employment.

4. PSO/IDD Project Goals • Raise awareness of post secondary opportunities in the community. • Raise awareness of programs across the country for students with IDD’s. • Learn interest level from community in post secondary opportunities. • Identify subject areas that are of interest to the community. • Identify potential obstacles to attending post secondary programs. • Develop support for existing programs and their expansion and the creation of new programs. • Develop community partnerships with organizations.

5. Community Forum – Austin, Texas • The primary purpose of the community forum was to achieve some of the PSO/IDD Project goals by sharing information with the community on available post secondary opportunities and to collect data on interest level from community on continuing education after high school for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

6. Community Forum • General overview of post secondary opportunities • DSACT adult program presentation • ACC STEPS program presentation • Focus groups

7. Support from the 83rd Texas Legislature 2013 Senate and House of Representatives Proclamations of Support for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Sponsors: • Senator Judith Zaffirini • Representative Elliot Naishtat

8. National Down Syndrome Society Grant • The National Down Syndrome Society awarded the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas a grant of $10,000 to support the mission and goals of the PSO/IDD Project.

9. PSO/IDD Project Presentations • Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services • Department of Aging and Disability Services • Texas Education Agency – Texas Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee • Texas Education Agency Education Service Centers • Texas Education Agency Education Service Center Region XIII 18+ Network

10. Texas Consortium for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities • Austin Community College STEPS program • Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas • Houston Community College VAST Academy • Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas at Austin • Texas Tech Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research

11. Texas Consortium Mission • The mission of the Texas Consortium for Post Secondary Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is to collaborate with organizations that have programs or are interested in creating programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to promote post secondary opportunities throughout Texas that lead to life-long learning and meaningful, gainful employment.

12. Texas Consortium 2014 Goals • Present at conferences across the state. • Organize community forums and educator events in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, and San Antonio. • Seek funding opportunities for the expansion of existing programs and the creation of new programs in all regions of Texas. • Advocate for legislation at the Texas Legislature that will create funding opportunities for programs across the state.

13. Contact information Gerard Jimenez 512-496-6100 gerard@dsact.com Board of Directors Program Director & Government Affairs Director Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas Co-Chair Texas Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition Co-Chair Austin Independent School District Special Education Advisory Committee Co-Chair Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas at Austin

14. College Opportnuities For Adults with IDD Jon Pierce-Shimomura, Ph.D. Assistant Professor University of Texas at Austin (UT) Director of Adult Education Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) jonps@austin.utexas.edu 512-232-4137 Gerard Jimenez Board of Directors Program Director Government Affairs Director Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) gerard@dsact.com 512-496-6100 DSACT

15. Inclusion for people with IDD • People with Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental (IDD) are part of our society but were commonly excluded from educational, job and social opportunities. • Inclusion is now common for K-12 education • IDEA: guarantees Individualized Education Plan (IEP) • Inclusion is not yet common for postsecondary education • ADA: must self advocate, only prevents discrimination due to disability • Inclusion is still uncommon for employment opportunities for adults with ID, partly due to a lack of postsecondary education

16. University of Texas Informal Classes Aimed at Adults with IDD Door opened here

17. Informal Classes at UT Interactive class Social Time Thanks to DSACT, Gerard Jimenez, Allison Griffith, Josh Russell, Laura Ferguson, Kylie Huckleberry, Sarah Nordquist, Rose Stewart, Liz Cronin and dozens of UT undergraduate students

18. Informal Classes at UT Hands-on Learning and Fun!! Topics: Our senses Alcohol & drugs on the brain Parkinson’s disease Amazing animals Drug discovery Math for everyday living Japanese language & culture Spanish food & culture

19. Logistics for UT Informal Classes Once per week for six consecutive weeks 5:30-8:00pm Respite for families 27th St. Guadalupe St Whitis Ave University Ave Wichita St Speedway 27th St Parking Garage Speedway Parking Garage To I-35 Dean Keeton X Entrance to seminar rooms and teaching lab Drop off parking Littlefield café patio meeting place

20. Growth of UT Informal Classes Aimed at Adults with IDD Students served per year UT Informal classes Year DSACT

21. Employment Opportunities for Adults with IDD Cory Gentry Lab Assistant Class I 20 hours per week Neuroscience laboratory University of Texas at Austin

22. Goals Achieved for UT Informal Classes • Foster high expectations: • Self-image as UT student • Expand expectations of student in eyes of family and friends • Build self-confidence: • Hesitant, but soon tried hands-on activities and participated in discussion -- obviously enjoying taste of college life • Provide important time away from family and vice versa • Socialization: • Practice appropriate conversation and body language with peers with and without IDD -- key for employability • Provide critical time for UT students in medical or education fields to truly get to know people with IDD • Broader goals: • Life-long education on college campus • Maintain affordability ($120) and thus sustainability

23. Near Future for UT Informal Classes • Integration with career development: • Identify employment strengths and desired jobs • Vocational and remedial classes on math, reading, writing and social interaction • Offer numerous courses to allow true self-determination • Additional opportunities for inclusive campus membership with typical UT students: • Inclusion program for existing Informal Classes at UT • Interaction with social groups: Best Buddies, Texas Lassos, Dean’s Scholars, etc… • Audit formal UT classes • Sustainability for expansion: • School district funding as part of transition program • Qualify program for use of Federal Student Aid • Fund raising

24. STEPS Program Skills, Training and Education for Personal Success

25. The STEPS Program • Unique program for adults whose abilities may prevent participation in traditional adult education • The STEPS Program fosters student success by preparing students for job readiness through a specialized curriculum

26. About Our Program • Up to 2 year program • Focus on supporting student success and job readiness • Lesson plans are personalized based on each student's needs • Upon completion, students go onto take adult education courses, certification courses, sit for the COMPASS test or become gainfully employed

27. Technology Skills • Clerical Skills • Retail Skills • Academic Skills • Workforce Development • Social Skills for Life and Work • Business Mathematics Our Classes

28. Technology Skills • Students gain skills in internet use, • Microsoft 2010 Applications and basic research skills. • Students are taught at their own pace, • layering additional information each semester.

29. Clerical Skills • Students learn appropriate business etiquette in addition to typing skills, use of office equipment, building a resume and cover letter and learning to interview. • Each Wednesday students participate in Dress for Success!

30. Retail Skills • Retail skills develops customer service skills, use of a cash register and money management • Students learn appropriate workplace behavior and how to deal with stressful situations in a healthy way.

31. Academic Skills • Students learn reading, writing and math skills, starting at each student's individual level • Curriculum focus' heavily on reading comprehension and functional mathematics • Majority of students increase academic skills one grade level each semester

32. Social Skills for Life and Work • During this class students receive hands on experience practicing appropriate workplace social skills. • Students develop conversation skills, relationship skills, public speaking, dealing with stressful situations as well as learn self - advocacy skills.

33. Adapted Business Mathematics • Students interested in business and retail enjoy the supportive challenge of Business Mathematics. • Students learn how to calculate percentages and taxes in addition to creating a budget for home and work. Students learn at their own pace and get a comprehensive experience in business mathematics

34. Workforce Development • Students who are getting ready to graduate can take the Workforce Development Class • Students learn job readiness skills such as: • Finding jobs they qualify for • Applying for jobs • Preparing for the first interview • Creating a targeted resume and cover letter • Volunteering • Students are supported through the job search, interview and hire process

35. Continuing Education Courses • Administrative Assistant Series • Child Care • Intro to Word • Intermediate Word • Advanced Word • Intro to Excel • Intermediate Excel • Advanced Excel • Sign Language • Intro to PowerPoint • Intermediate PowerPoint • Advanced PowerPoint • Event planning • Fundamentals of PC Use • Creative Writing • Drawing • Certified Nurses Aid • Medical Terminology • Weight Training

36. Graduation • Students who complete the program participate in the Continuing Education Graduation Ceremony at the end of each spring semester • Students this spring will receive a Work Readiness Certificate upon completion of the program.

37. Our Graduates • 54% of all graduates took inclusive adult education courses. • 92% are now employed • 8% are still looking or are unable to work due to health • 10% went onto further education

38. After Graduation • Receptionist • File Clerk • Assistant Coach • Cashier • Line Cook • Clerk at • State Capital • Deli Department • Dental Receptionist • Child Care Assistant • Teaching Assistant • Data Entry Clerk

39. Beyond STEPS • Students wishing to advance their education have many options! • Students who want take further Continuing Education Courses or work towards a certification can sign up for STEPS Academic Support during their final STEPS Semesters. • Academic support provides 6 hours a week of homework and tutoring help.

40. Contact Information STEPS Program Director Mariah Lossing 512-289-9065 mlossing@austincc.edu http://austincc.wix.com/accsteps

41. Certificate Programs for Students With Abilities VAST Academy Motto: “All that I can, I will.” VAST.hccs.edu

42. Vocational Advancement & Skills Training-23 years experience empowering “differently abled” students with developmental challenges to achieve their dreams of becoming more independent and competitively employed in the workforce.

43. Over 150 students enrolled at 2 Colleges A 3rdProgram to begin Fall 2014.

44. Offering Two Meaningful Workforce Credentials • Occupational Skills-Career Readiness • Office Skills Training& Work Keys • Formalized Admissions Process (18-25 age range) • Comprehensive Support Services • Scholarships from local foundations • Person Centered Planning • Pre-College-Freshman Success Bridge Courses • Internships with local employers • Job placement assistance

45. Occupational Skills Certificate A two-year career readiness workforce credential, offering courses that enhance functional reading, math and writing as they relate to workforce skills, develop basic computer/financial literacy and human relations skills for the workplace. Students receive assistance with identifying a realistic career goal, through a “person centered planning” approach, develop a vocational degree plan and upon successful completion of their courses, are placed on an internship with an employer partner based on their career interests and skills.

46. TERM I • Business Writing • Communications • Keyboarding • PowerPoint TERM II • Intro to Office Skills • Work Keys CRC • Spreadsheet/Excel • Job Preparation Office Skills Training Certificate

47. Term III Internship- 10 week/200 hrs. Office Assistants Data Entry Filing and Clerical Receptionist Mail Center Clerks

48. Residential Option: A partnership with “The Center” Cullen Residence Hall 3 designated floors for HCC VAST students Private rooms Modern amenities Activities coordinator Cafeteria that provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Social activities Employment opportunities

49. Student Life The Eagles Club- holds college-wide events, workshops, and community service projects. • Student Government • Campus Sports • Service Learning • Student Leadership Opportunities/Awards • Advocacy-TX Advocates State Conference

50. Leadership & Self-Advocacy Student Leader of the Year Award