OLS at Bellevue College: Innovative Associate Degree for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities

1. OLS at Bellevue College: Innovative Associate Degree for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities OLS at Bellevue College: Innovative Associate Degree for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities

2. Student Video from website will be inserted here

3. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

4. COGNITIVE DISABILITY An individual who has “serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.” (US Census Bureau)

5. Percentage of adults with cognitive disabilities by state 4.3 4.1 2.8 3.8 5.5 [VT] 4.2 [NH] 5.8 3.7 5.3 3.7 4.8 4.2 3.8 5.1 3.3 3.5 3.9[MA] 3.3 3.2 4.7 4.6 4.9 3.6 3.4 5.6 [RI] 5.1 4.2 3.5 [CT] 3.0 [NJ] 7.1 4.6[DE] 3.5 6.7 3.2 [MD] 3.3 4.8 5.7 4.6 3.9 5.8 4.0 5.1 6.2 3.9 4.0 5.9 5.8 4.1 People with cognitive disabilities in terms of total population in each state www.census.gov

7. www.factfinder2.census.gov Employment Status by Disability and Type www.quickfacts.census.gov 2013 Census Estimate

8. 4.3 4.1 2.8 3.8 5.5 [VT] 4.2 [NH] 5.8 3.7 5.3 3.7 4.8 4.2 3.8 5.1 3.3 3.5 3.9[MA] 3.3 3.2 4.7 4.6 4.9 3.6 3.4 5.6 [RI] 5.1 4.2 3.5 [CT] 3.0 [NJ] 7.1 4.6[DE] 3.5 6.7 3.2 [MD] 3.3 4.8 5.7 4.6 3.9 5.8 4.0 5.1 6.2 3.9 4.0 5.9 5.8 4.1 People with cognitive disabilities in terms of total population in each state www.census.gov

9. www.factfinder2.census.gov Employment Status by Disability and Type www.quickfacts.census.gov 2013 Census Estimate

10. www.factfinder2.census.gov Employment Status by Disability and Type www.quickfacts.census.gov 2013 Census Estimate

11. www.factfinder2.census.gov Employment Status by Disability and Type www.quickfacts.census.gov 2013 Census Estimate

12. www.factfinder2.census.gov Employment Status by Disability and Type www.quickfacts.census.gov 2013 Census Estimate

14. Goals for OLS Students Gainful Employment • Student specific career pathway • Living wage jobs • Longevity and up-ward mobility • Happiness and satisfaction Lifelong Contributing Citizen • Self sufficiency • Participation in their community

15. OLS Alumni Data • Employment rate for OLS Alumni is 85% employed (24.6% nationally are employed) • Median wage is $10.71/hr. • 30% have advanced in their current employment • Personal life goals fulfilled (marriage, children, self-sufficiency)

17. OLS Overview • Why OLS was created • From accreditation in Dec. 2006 to present • Program specifically for students with cognitive disabilities • Associate Degree in Occupational and Life Skills (AOLS) • Non-transferable Professional Technical Degree • 79 current OLS students, 53 graduates

18. OLS Summary • Associate degree program • Part time student (10-14 hours of class time/wk) • Cohorts of 12 student admitted in Fall • Tuition variance • Self-Support Program • Financial Aid available for all students who qualify

19. OLS Admissions Information Selective Admission Process Application: • Student application, two recommendations, educational evaluation and high school transcript Assessment Invitation • Two hours in person assessment

20. OLS students: Common Disabilities • Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD) • ADHD, ADD • Anxiety disorders • Generalized learning disabilities • Traumatic brain injury • Sight impairment • Autism

21. OLS Unique Systems Examples: • Infusion of 21st century skills • Universal and specialized instruction • Scaffolded curriculum • Student assessment process • Community involvement and contribution • Student specific career pathway development

22. List of 15 OLS Performance Indicators • Physical Presence • Communication • Roles • Participation • Collaboration • Advocacy • Self-Directed Learner • Punctual and being present • Independent work • Flexibility • Prioritizing and Time management • Accountability and Reliability • Professionalism • Open-mindedness • Self Improvement

23. Scaffolded OLS Curriculum • Concepts are built from basic foundations • Students demonstrate success at each level before moving forward to a higher level

24. Generalizing Into Community • Service Learning • Community Activities • Service Projects • Town Meetings • Student Council Events • 200 hours of Internship Experience • Mock Interviews • Job Shadowing • Job Fairs

25. City of Bellevue Fire Station # 2

26. Student Specific Career Pathway • Specific to student’s values, passions, and skills • Dependable Strengths • Workforce utilization • Targeted course work • 200 internship hours experience over 6 months specific to career pathway

27. Why replicate OLS? • College educational need in all communities-an underserved population • Success rates of graduates in the workforce • Turn-key model with little development required • Partnerships with other colleges to promote best practice • Good for the relationships of college and community

28. Examples of what OLS has to offer • Assistance with recruiting support for OLS replication at your college and in your community • Assistance with set up of program and ongoing training and mentoring • Marketing and business plans • Documentation from accreditation to program materials to instructors manual • Program systems including assessments, grading, data collection, and software • Curriculum and the Art of Instruction

29. Next Steps • Fill out survey and OLS will contact you • Email us at olsnational@bellevuecollege.edu tell us who you are, where you are from, and why OLS would be a good fit for your community • Send the information about OLS to your administrator and open up a conversation, follow up • Schedule a conference call with administration and OLS • Invite administrators to attend upcoming presentations at national conferences (Combase, ACCT) • Ask your community to email OLS • Plan to attend the upcoming OLS visit in February

30. Contact Information Marci Muhlestein OLS National Director Marci.muhlestein@bellevuecollege.edu 425-564-2844 www.OLSatBellevueCollege.com