Reflecting on
Reciprocity
Describing Ways College Students with Intellectual
Disabilities Enhance their Community
Seb Prohn, M.S.
University Participant Program, Western Carolina University
What is ID?
• Cognitive impairment
• significant limitations in intellectual functioning
• limitations in adaptive behavior (conceptual, social &
practical skills)
• Was eligible in birth-12th grade services under IDEA
• Would not access postsecondary education in a
typical manner (SATs; GPA; course requirements;
essays, etc.)
Function & Fit
• Fit between the person’s capacities and the context
• state of functioning, not a condition
• Human functioning
•
•
•
•
•
Intellectual ability
Adaptive behavior
Health
Participation
Context
UP & the Federal
Government
• Higher Education Opportunity Act (reenacted 2008)
• Transition & Postsecondary Programs for Students
with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSIDS)
• US Department of Education
• Federal model demonstration program
What we do
• Provide a two year, on-campus living and learning
experience for college-aged individuals with
intellectual disabilities
• The only model demonstration site in NC
Year
# of Participants
2008
2
2010
4
2011
8
2012
7
Aims & Values
• Transition to employment and independent living
• Full inclusion: no separate facilities, settings or
classes for UP participants
• Self-determination & independence in all
environments
Five UP Program Components
Personal
Development
Course
Auditing
Social
Participation
and Learning
Community
Participation
Vocational
Preparation
Participants must pay current university fees for auditing courses
*Individual Plan for College Participation (IPCP)
What do UP Participants do at WCU?
• Live on campus and experience
college life with same age peers
• Have an individual plan (IPCP)
that would allow personal
development for post-UP success
• Attend a limited number of
classes
• Participate in social events and
activities
Problem
• PSE programs, to show merits, overemphasize
unidirectional capacity building
Students
/ UP
Staff
Employers
UP
Students
Agencies
& orgs
Public
Schools/
CCs
Bi-Directional Capacity
Building
Students/
UP Staff
Employers
UP
Students
Agencies
& orgs
Public
Schools/
CCs
UP Natural Supports
• Paid and unpaid WCU
students of
approximately the same
age as participants who
intervene as necessary
to facilitate inclusive
participation in dormlife, course work, and
social & recreational
activities.
‘Typically Developing’
Student Gains
•
Occupational training
• Teachers, nurses, recreational
therapists, communication
therapists, etc.
• Differentiation
• Universal design for
learning/instruction: reduce
complexity, increase access
(WCU Faculty too)
•
Social justice; activism; awareness
•
Attitude
• Increased motivation; positive affect
Easter Seals & Vocational
Rehabilitation
• Easter Seals
• $100, 000 grant to work with UP Participants
• Goal construction and evaluation
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Job data from participants in a variety of settings
• Outcomes (closing case successfully)
Public Schools &
Community Colleges
• Public Schools
• High school SPED teachers receive transition training
• Students & parents provided with vision/models for
college participation
• Community Colleges
• Satellite partnerships
• Best practices & suggestions
UP Vocational
Relationships
•
Athletic Department
•
Greenhouse
•
University Housing
•
Hunter Library
•
Campus Recreation Center
•
•
Catamount Clothing and Gift
Store
Kneedler Child Development
Center
•
Student Mail Services
•
Cullowhee Kids Preschool at
Cullowhee United
•
Severe disabilities grant
•
Methodist Church
•
EnTOURage
•
Facilities Management
16
WCU Employers
• “The staff really learned from Cody…I was very
impressed with Cody’s work ethic and attitude”WCU landscaping
• “He continued to do well and was a great asset to
our program.” EnTOURage
• “We have learned so much and hope that she has
gained some knowledge about the Early Childhood
field.” Child development daycare
2012-2013 UP Participants/
Community Builders
Second Year
First Year
UP.WCU.EDU
• Please reference the UP website for further
information
• Feel free to contact Seb with any questions or
comments
Seb Prohn, UP Program Faculty Liaison & Outreach
Coordinator
smprohn@email.wcu.edu
828.227.2712