“The Cutting Edge” is an individualized approach to college education and inclusion in college for students with intellectual developmental disabilities. These are individuals who have either traditionally not been able to meet the standard admissions criteria for college, or require additional supports in order to be successful in college.”
COURSES: “The Cutting Edge” is a blended model of education. Students are allowed to take some general undergraduate courses while receiving the service of individualized supports. There are also specialized classes geared towards “Cutting Edge” students only. These classes emphasize learning employment skills, succeeding in an independent living environment, and networking with peer mentors.
HOUSING: “Student Housing integrates a balance of academics, socialization, self-determination, and independent living. “The Cutting Edge” program has mixture of on-campus and off-campus housing available. Each housing arrangement is supported by a housing peer mentor that facilitates the balance of independent living.”
TUITION: Current tuition for the program is the same as regular Edgewood College tuition, totaling about $12,800 per semester (not including housing) for a full-time student.
Link: http://www.edgewood.edu/Prospective-Students/Cutting-Edge
WILC is a private, non-profit college in Waterford, Wisconsin. The college serves adults with Autism who desire continued learning; assisting them in reaching their goals for independence.
They believe that people with Autism Spectrum Disorders are intelligent and valuable members of society. Their mission is to provide each student with necessary supports so that he/she may not only have a successful college experience but also become inspired to achieve their purpose in life. At WILC knowledge is power. They understand that specially trained staff with the heart and vision of that mission is essential to the success of the program. They strive to provide an environment that inspires creativity, encourages individuality and supports young adults affected by Autism to feel safe and free to express their thoughts, feelings and opinions and ultimately realize their dreams.
Each person is unique and will require individualized programming to achieve their highest level of independent functioning. Classes emphasize traditional academic subjects, pre-vocational instruction, and daily living skill practice.
Daily schedules are individualized to meet each student’s abilities and goals.
For admission information and tuition fees, please contact WILC.
Link: http://wisconsinilc.org/
Concordia University has recently partnered with a local non-profit, Bethesda Lutheran Communities, to create a program at the college for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “The students, who live in Chemnitz Hall on the Mequon campus, participate in a two-year curriculum that blends campus living courses offered to all Concordia students with courses geared to the Bethesda program and focus on developing adult living skills and career preparation. The blended model is designed to help students with cognitive disabilities grow intellectually, vocationally, socially, personally, and spiritually.” Please read a short article about the program on page four and five of the campus magazine:
Link: https://www.cuw.edu/_files/pageflips/concordians/2014fall/print.pdf
“Project Assist” is a program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for students with learning disabilities. It is a comprehensive program that supports students in their pursuit of a university degree without compromising academic standards. It is based on the philosophy that students with learning disabilities can learn specific strategies that will enable them to become independent learners who can be successful in a college setting. The strategies are learned primarily through one-on-one contact with tutors. Students should plan to attend a summer transition program prior to the fall semester of their first academic year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The fee to participate in “Project Assist” is about $850 per semester. “Students working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) should discuss availability of funding with their counselors. Fees are sometimes paid for by DVR if Project ASSIST is discussed in advance and included as a part of the student's Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).”
Link: http://www.uww.edu/csd/disability-services/csd-project-assist
“Project Success” at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is a successful academic and social remediation program for students with learning disabilities. The intent is that participants will become educationally independent in and across these major educational areas: mathematics, spelling, reading, writing, comprehension, and study skills. Those interested should apply at least two to three years prior to desired entrance. However, this should not deter applicants. Once accepted, the student must be willing to register for participation in the summer term prior to the fall semester of their first academic year at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. There are no fees for the services, above and beyond regular UW-Oshkosh tuition ($3,718 per semester).
Link: http://www.uwosh.edu/success
“Located in the economic and cultural capital of Wisconsin, UW-Milwaukee opens doors to 21st-century career connections and world-class learning opportunities for the most diverse population of students in Wisconsin.” Situated in our own “backyard” UWM is a valuable resource for advancing education and expanding horizons. The college offers over 186 degree paths, plus many certificate programs. Students with diverse passions and interests will find an educational path that fits them individually. UWM offers several resources for students with disabilities. Get in touch with the school’s “Accessibility Resource Center” for information about accommodation procedures and support services. Tuition for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee averages about $4,650 per semester for a full-time student.
Link: http://uwm.edu/arc/services-and-accommodations/
Through MATC, you can expand on your current skills in a comprehensive and affordable program. The school offers 200 degree, diploma, certificate and apprentice programs, providing multiple paths to success. Programs are practical, focus on teaching students employable skills, and often include hands-on training. “MATC has the most diverse student population of any college in Wisconsin and serves a wide age group. Recent high school graduates and older adult students learn together in classrooms and labs.” “MATC offers many services to help students at all learning levels reach their goals. These include academic support centers, computer labs, bilingual services and special needs support.” Students that require disability services are welcomed and supported by the Student Accommodation Services Department. “The Student Accommodation Services Department provides reasonable accommodations and academic support to students with disabilities who demonstrate specific educational needs.” $2,792 is the average tuition per semester for a full-time student.
Location: Boca Raton, Florida
The Institute for Achievement and Learning combines cognitive instructional strategies with services such as group and individual tutoring, specialized learning communities, and group activities. This program assists students in understanding their specific course content and helps them develop strategies for planning, organizing, and implementing their studies.
Location: Huntington, West Virginia
Higher Education for Learning Problems (H.E.L.P.) is a support program for students diagnosed with a learning disability and/or ADHD. Staff members help students improve study skills, improving organizational skills, improve memory, study for tests, and take notes. Staff can also administer oral tests when appropriate and act as a liaison between the professor and the student.
Location: Springfield, Massachusetts
The Curtis Blake Supportive Learning Services program is a fee-based program and includes one-on-one tutoring assistance and study skills workshops that are tailored to the student’s specific needs. The Supportive Learning Services staff can also work to modify the student’s academic environment by reducing course-loads and providing special materials or testing options.
Location: Milton, Massachusetts
The Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) is “widely recognized as the country’s first college program of its kind and for its leadership role over the years.” PAL students are fully mainstreamed in all classes and receive additional support. According to the website, students work in a combination of individual and small, “credit-bearing classes” with a PAL faculty member during their first year, where they develop strategies in reading comprehension, written language, speaking, listening, organization, and time management.
SHEPHERDS COLLEGE: Union Grove, WI
“Shepherds College is a three-year post-secondary educational program that assists young adults with intellectual disabilities in successfully transitioning from school to work, and from home to independent living.” It is a private, faith-based program exclusively for individuals with intellectual disabilities that provides life skills, vocational training, and supported independent living arrangements. Shepherds College is accredited as a non-degree granting post secondary school. It is not located on a traditional college campus. Students receive education, skills training, and support to successfully bridge the gap from school and home to independence. “Along with studies in the Culinary Arts and Horticultural Studies, Shepherds College offers a general education program that is focused on helping the students develop skills they will need for everyday life.” There are also functional academic classes such as language arts, math and money skills, and computer skills. Students live on-campus, achieving greater independence each year of the program. The campus is designed, “with three different styles of living facilities; each style offers a different degree of supervision and support. As basic living skills are learned, students enjoy progressively greater responsibility and independence.” Annual cost to attend Shepherds College is $42,300. The tuition fee includes all instruction, curricular materials, textbooks, room & board and residential care.
Link: http://www.shepherdscollege.org/home/about-us/
P.A.C.E. at NLU is a three-year post-secondary program which is designed to meet the transitional needs for young adults with multiple intellectual, learning and developmental disabilities. P.A.C.E. is one of the leading residential-based programs in the country that integrates employment preparation, independent living skills coaching, functional academic courses and social development into a curriculum that prepares students for independent living through experiential learning.
Generally speaking, P.A.C.E. students have more ability and potential than their test scores indicate, and are highly motivated to be successful in life. They want to attend college and with a goal in mind to contribute to society as independent adults.
Students have a range of intellectual, learning and developmental disabilities, most often in areas of language, mathematics, reading comprehension, abstract reasoning, as well as organizational and social difficulties. Student diagnoses include learning and intellectual disabilities, high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, executive function disorder, speech and language impairments, and other similar disabilities that interfere with learning and success in a traditional college program.