Center on Disability Studies
2021 - 2022 Annual Report
Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Postsecondary Support Project
The Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Postsecondary Support Project (TPSID-PSP) held participant coaching meetings for individualized support, footsteps to transition fairs, DVR informational meetings, educational coach meetings, faculty meetings, intake meetings, mid and end of semester meetings, new staff orientations, peer job coach trainings and meetings, peer mentor meetings, rehabilitation counseling practicum meetings, as well as summer employment interview, training, collaboration sessions. They made presentations at the statewide Leadership in Disabilities and Achievement of Hawaii conference and national Association of University Centers on Disability and State of the Art conferences.
The Postsecondary Support Project (PSP) provides supplemental support for students with significant learning challenges in an inclusive environment. The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) System is at the forefront of the movement to include and support students with significant disabilities, including intellectual/developmental disabilities, to pursue their own college journeys. Our mission is to support students to gain self determination and employment skills, while earning useful college educations.
Project Goals:
- Assist participants to transition from secondary to college or university.
- Deliver quality coaching support to prepare students for success in academics, employment, and independent living.
- Assist students to learn self determination skills as they prepare for independent adult roles in their communities.
- Support students through Person Centered Planning to set and achieve goals each semester.
- Support students to develop the skills and experience they will need to transition from college to the workforce.
The choice I made to go to college was a good choice. I didn’t think I was going to go to college when I was in high school. My parents and family are proud of me. I feel like I can do the best that I can and get a better paying job.
I am proud of being able to find my voice and making difficult decisions, finding confidence, being able to know what I want to do in the future, my decision to share my own paintings with my family on my own and telling my personal narrative.
ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA
PSP applicants should have:
- An informed desire to go to college.
- Motivation to enroll, attend, and work hard in college classes.
- A commitment to complete college coursework and PSP expectations.
- A desire to grow and prepare for independence and self determination.
- A goal to be employed.
- Sufficient independence and ability to self-regulate in classes.
- Have a qualifying disability or DDD/DVR referral.