College Changes Everything
July 11, 2013
Maximizing
Post-Secondary Opportunities for
Students with a
Disability or Impairment
Facilitator
State Representative Linda Chapa La Via
Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 83rd District since
2003.
Committee assignments:
Accountability & Administrative Review Committee
Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
Appropriations-Higher Education Committee
Biotechnology Committee
Business & Occupational Licenses Committee
Consumer Protection Committee
Elementary & Secondary Education Committee - Chairperson
Veterans' Affairs Committee - Chairperson
Presenters
• Kathleen Kerness ~ Thresholds
• Barbara Kite ~ PACE Program at National
Louis University
• Marci Koblenz ~ Center for Companies That
Care
• Antoinette Taylor ~ Exceptional Needs
Consultant
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act…IDEA
• IDEA is the federal law that guides all Special Education
services for students birth to adulthood
• Law usually ends when a young adult reaches age or
upon graduation from High School.
• Originally PL 94-142…. Passed in 1975
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act…
IDEA Re-authorized
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Amendments (IDEA) into law (P.L. 105-17) on
Wednesday, June 4, 1997.
And
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education
Improvement Act (IDEIA) passed into Law
2004
Main Components of IDEA
 Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE)
All students are entitled to receive a good education under the law
 Zero Reject
No student can be excluded from school because they have a
disability
 Evaluation
All testing must be fair and given in the native language of the
student
 Protective Safe Guards
There is a judicial process in place if parents or students feel they are
not being treated fairly
Individual Education Program (IEP)
Each student receiving
special education services
under IDEIA must have a
plan outlining the goals of
their education.
Post-Secondary Planning
• Transition Plan part of the IEP
Each student over 14 must have a transition plan which is
an outline of what the student is expected to do after high
school. It includes education, vocational prep,
Independent Living preparation.
 Summary of Performance
The summary of the student’s IEP goals, present level of
academic achievement and functional performance and
progress towards transition goals. It is completed the last
year of high school due to graduation or aging out.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• A national law that protects qualified individuals from
discrimination based on their disability. Under the law,
individuals with Disabilities are defined as…
• …persons with a physical or mental
impairment which substantially limits one or
more major life activities
Major life activities include but is not limited to:
• Caring for one’s self, walking, seeing, hearing,
breathing, performing manual tasks, and
learning
Americans with Disabilities Act - 1990
• Enacted by US congress in 1990
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination
based on disability
• ADA definition:
“ a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits major life activity”
• Areas covered include but is not limited to:
▫ Employment
▫ Education at all levels including Higher Ed
▫ Telecommunications
Americans with Disabilities Act Amended Act
(ADAAA)
Amended 9-25-2008 took affect January 2009
• Revises the definition of “disability” to more
broadly encompass impairments that
substantially limit a major life activity.
• Changes also clarify coverage of impairments
that are episodic or in remission that
substantially limit a major life activity when
active, such as epilepsy or post traumatic stress
disorder.
504 Plan
• Students with a documented impairment such as
ADHD, Epilepsy, Diabetes or Asthma may have
a 504 Plan that describes accommodations and
modifications needed for the student to have
equal access and success at school or during any
school related activity.
• It can created for a permanent or temporary
condition such as broken arm or surgery.
Higher Ed Transition
High School
• IDEA (IEP)
• Not an Adult
• Given Support per the
Individualized Education
Program.
College
• ADA (No IEP)
• Independent!
• Self-Identification/Self
Advocacy required to receive
accommodations and
modifications.
The Laws: IDEA vs ADA
• In High School:
▫ IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
▫ This law enables you to receive free and appropriate education
through high school
▫ Includes providing : accommodations, educational services,
therapies and curriculum modifications.
• In College:
▫ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act.
▫ These laws require that you be provided with reasonable
accommodations if you disclose your disability to the institution.
▫ Not required to provide special educational services, therapies or
curriculum modifications that fundamentally alter the nature of
the program or class.
Resources and Referrals
• Center for Companies That Care
• Pace (National Louis University)
• From Paper to Practice
• Thresholds
The Situation
Dept of Education; National Center for Special Education Research 2011
© Center for Companies That Care NFP 2013
Why aren’t Students with
Disabilities Graduating?
• Schools not providing the support needed by
students
▫ Lack of awareness?
▫ Lack of resources?
• Students don’t ask for support
▫ Don’t know what to do?
▫ Don’t define themselves as disabled?
▫ Stigma is greater than perceived value?
• Support mandated by law isn’t sufficient
College Graduation Requires a
Strategic Choice
Actions
Required by
Law
Actions
Promoting
Graduation
Passive
Self-Advocacy
Active
Village
Support for Learning
Wrap-around Support
for Whole Person
Think about supports
provided for college
athletes!
What’s Needed
Better transition
services in high school
•
•
•
•
Disclosure requirement in college
Identify each student’s unique needs
Include college accommodations in Transition Plan
Practice
Strategy addressing
whole college
experience
•
•
•
•
•
•
Academic
Social and Extracurricular
Financial
Living
Working
Commuters
Personal Success!
Comprehensive awareness
training for everyone who
needs to know
•
Disability Services
•
Professors
•
Resource Services
•
Career Services
•
Residential Housing Staff
•
Campus Employment
Include all available
resources
•
Peers
•
Parents
•
Education and Social Work Students
Expand Definition of SelfAdvocacy
•
Team Advocacy
•
Offer FERPA waiver
Who We Work With
High
Schools
Colleges
and
Universities
Employers
Individuals
and
Families
Resources For
You, Today
•
•
•
What We Do
Transition
Services
Consulting
and
Counseling
Resources
Workshops,
Professional
Training,
Facilitation
•
•
Life
Experiences
•
Transitions to
College Workshop
Agenda
FERPA Waiver
PEERS Social Skills
Intervention
AIM High
How Disabilities
Appear in College
Accommodations to
Consider
21
PACE Program @
National Louis University
• PACE Program@
National Louis
University
5202 Old Orchard Rd.
Skokie, Illinois 60077
• Barb Kite, Asst. Director
224-233-2672
Bkite@nl.edu
www.nl.edu/pace
(picture of building or campus)
22
PACE Program @
National Louis University
• PACE @ National Louis
University is celebrating our 27th
year
• The PACE Program is a two year
program, that follows the
academic calendar (no
summers). After graduation a
PACE graduate may enroll in the
PACE Transition Program
• We currently have 30 students
enrolled in the two year
program and another 30 out in
the community, living at
different levels of independence.
• Our goal is to enroll 25 new
students to start each fall.
23
PACE Program @
National Louis University
Campus Visits
• Tours Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Thursdays
• Tour lasts about 1 ½ hours
• Call Barb Kite 224-233-2672 to
arrange an appointment
Examples of Courses
1. Problem Solving
2. Money Management
3. Social Skills
4. Vocational Instruction
5. Assertiveness Training
6. Electives: Art, Media &
Literature, and Greek Myths in
Action
6
PACE Program @
National Louis University
FOUR INTEGRATED AREAS OF INSTRUCTION
ACADEMICS - Concepts presented in the classroom are practiced immediately in the lives of the
students
LIFE SKILLS - Schedules, budgeting, organization, health, exercise and nutrition are taught
individually and to the group
CAREER PREPARATION - Hands-on 3 days a week – 1500 hours in internship work – development
of skills, a resume, preparation for real employment
SOCIALIZATION / COMMUNITY - “Fun” is taught at PACE. The group is important. Navigating
the campus and then the larger community are taught in progression
PROBLEM SOLVING - Is a theme that runs through the whole program. The strategies used with
the students are also taught to them. The more they learn to own their problems and to solve
them the more capable they will be to live on their own
25
PACE Program @
National Louis University
The PACE Program is a leader in the provision of
integrated post-secondary services to young adults
with multiple learning disabilities.
The PACE Program empowers our students with the
skills necessary to become independent adults living
and working in the larger community.
Through instruction and support in all aspects of the
students’ lives, the PACE Program strives to create
an environment in which “work is accomplished,
play is learned, love is felt and life is enjoyed.”
Antoinette P. Taylor
Exceptional Needs Consultant
Professional Development/ Lectures/Seminars
Approved Illinois State Board of Education
Professional Development Provider
www.atexceptional.com
Committee involvement
• Autism Speaks Chicago ~ Board of Directors (State Policy
Chair)
• Disability Rights Consortium Member
• Governor Pat Quinn’s P-20 Council (Family Youth
Community Engagement Committee and Post-Secondary
and Workforce Readiness Steering Committee)
• U.S. Dept. of Ed. (Office of Special Education Programs) Results Driven Accountability Initiative
• Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities (CCP&P –
Technical Advisor)
• President Emil Jones, Jr. 1st & 2nd Autism Community
Seminar Coordinator
High Schools
• High School College Counseling Departments
and Special Education Departments work closely
with each other to inform each others practice.
• Share transition plans with College Counselors.
• Hold Summary Of Performance meeting
together
• Know who students are talking to.
• BEWARE of for-profit schools. Teach
Accreditation to students
Higher Ed.
• Move awareness of Accommodations and
Modifications beyond the walls of the ADA
Department at your school.
• On-going Professional Development for faculty
and staff.
• Intentional and Explicit information during
recruiting, orientation and on Web-site.
• Include information about services on EVERY
syllabus and in EVERY office on Campus
Students and Families
• Make speaking to Advisors at Colleges a priority
when you are doing your college search to
determine match and fit.
• Keep a record of all conversations.
• TO BE COVERED BY THE LAW (ADAAA) YOU
MUST BE ON RECORD WITH THE
SPECIALIZED SERVICE/DISABILITY OFFICE
AT THE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY. SelfIdentification is KEY to success.
Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Centers
• Oldest and largest mental health agency in Illinois
• Serves people with persistent and severe mental
health issues
▫ Members must have an Axis 1 diagnosis –
schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar,
depression, PTSD
▫ Many members also have a diagnosis on Axis 2 & 3
• 25 innovative programs
▫ Youth & Families; Veterans Project; Peer Success;
Homeless Outreach; Justice Program; Deaf Program
Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Centers – Young Adult Programming
• Established in 1974
• Serve youth ages 16-21 with a severe and
persistent mental health diagnosis
▫ Many of the youth have some type of trauma
background in addition to their primary diagnosis
• Youth in the program are involved in DCFS or
ICG (Individual Care Grant)
Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Centers – Young Adult Programming
General Challenges for this
Population
Post-Secondary Challenges for
this Population
• Lack of coping skills
• Poor education
▫ Lots of movement between
schools
• ADLs not at same level as
peers
• Unstable support systems –
family, friends, community
• Education skills not at college
level
▫ Challenging course load
▫ Poor study skills
▫ Not use to homework
• Financial Challenges
• Less support vs. HS
• Lack of or poor organization
skills
• Fear of asking for help
Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Centers – Young Adult Programming
• Supported Education Services
▫ Adapt IPS (Individual Placement & Support) Model
that is used for employment to fit education needs
▫ Get involved in whole college process
 Finding a school to graduating and everything in
between
▫ Assist with more than just college
 GED/HS Diploma; tutor connection; vocational
schools; adult education; financial aid & scholarships
Panel Discussion/ Q & A
Facilitated by:
State Representative
Linda Chapa La Via
Additional Resources
DePaul – PluS

Assist students w/ specific LD

ADHD

Academic Success

At the expense of the student.
Southern Illinois – Achieve

Academic Support

LD/ADHD

1-4 years

Must apply to Achieve and SIU

At the expense of the student.
4 year Colleges with special support
University of Arizona– SALT

Individualized educational
planning

Monitoring

Assistance from tutors

At the expense of the student.
Denver University- LEP

Fee for service

LD/ADHD

Part of University Disability services

At the expense of the student.
Colleges that support students with a
Specific Learning Disability
Beacon, Leesburg Florida

Offers academic degree programs to
students with LD

RBT: $37,000

3 majors: computer science systems,
Human services, Liberal Studies

Financial aid available
Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL

Liberal Arts

RBT: $43,500

15:1 student teacher ratio

Tutor center: time management,
organization, study skills

Assistive technology
Mitchell, New London, CT

A comprehensive program for students
with LD/ADHD

Certificate & associate degree

Financial aid available

15 class size

¼ student body LD

Learning Resource Center

$40,000
Landmark, VT

2 years/ Associate degree

Pell grants and other scholarships

$57,655

Accredited

LD college: Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism Spectrum,
specific LD
Post Secondary Programming
PACE @ NLU







Elmhurst College – ELSA
Non degree
4 year program
Developmentally disabled
Improve reading and math skills
In year 2 may audit undergrad
courses with permission
$14,000/ term $28,000
PT $750/ hour
University of Iowa- REACH

2 years

Certificate program

Resident $25,000

Non-resident $40,000

Some scholarship money available
Lesley College – Threshold

Non-degree

Campus based

For students with diverse learning
disabilities and other special needs

2 years

“study” careers

Certificate of Completion and 6 college
credits

RBT: $45,000/ year
Programs sitting on College campuses
Horizon – Alabama

Non-degree

Transition program

Personal, social, and career
independence

Students with specific LD and other
handicapping conditions
OPTIONS- Carbondale, IL

Stay as long as needed

Certificate

Apartments

$60,000
Chapel Haven West- Arizona

Autism Spectrum/ Mild Developmentally Disabled

30 students maximum
Autism Speaks
• Resources and Books
http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits
• Request a hard copy by calling 1-888-288-4762
Ask for the hard copy of the Asperger’s Tool Kit,
Transition Tool Kit, School Tool Kit and IEP Tool
Kit.
Approved ISBE and Dept. of Ed Transition Resources
• National Secondary Transition Technical
Assistance Center
http://www.nsttac.org/
Official ISBE Transition Modules and Resources
• Transition Outreach Training for Adult Living
(TOTAL) Project
http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/transition_video.htm
• Boston University Student Self Assessment – provides a
list of challenges that a student may face, many mental
health related issues, and different accommodations that
you can get/use if you chose to disclose to your professor
or not
▫ http://cpr.bu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/HigherEducation-Support-Toolkit.pdf
 Pages 9-16
• Learning Style Identifier Quiz – identify learning style to
help increase learning in college and find effective study
habits
▫ http://www.2learn.org/learningstyles.html
• Thresholds
▫ http://www.thresholds.org/