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The Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI)

Learn More About Think College Vermont @UVM/CDCI

The Funding

Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI is funded under a five-year U.S. Department of Education grant as a model demonstration Transition & Post- Secondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) (grant #P407A100016). Johnson State College (JSC) received a subaward from this grant. A small cohort of seven students have been admitted to JSC since Fall 2011, and their program is rapidly explanding. Contact Dr. Perry LaRoque with any questions regarding Think College Vermont @JSC.

There are currently about 250 programs in colleges and universities across the country offering post-secondary options for youth with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). The current federal program is funding 27 additional programs for five years to develop inclusive programs opening new doors for youth with Intellectual Disabilities.

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Research Supporting the TPSID Initiative

Existing programs have shown that students with ID involved in postsecondary education are 26% more likely to get a job and earn a 73% higher weekly income. Plus, it provides opportunities for teacher preparation programs & other professional preparation initiatives for matriculated students, while increasing the overall inclusive culture of the university or college.

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Parents and Families Frequently Asked Questions Podcast

In this 15 minute podcast, Cate Weir, Project Coordinator for Think College @UMass, introduces families to postsecondary education opportunities and answers some of the basic questions that families have on postsecondary education options for their sons and daughters with intellectual disabilities. The transcript of the podcast includes some links to additional resources (see below).

Having trouble viewing the podcast? Here is a direct link to the MP3 file for listening or downloading, and Think College @UMass Boston also provided the podcast transcript.

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Key Components of the Program

  • Enrollment in courses through UVM's Continuing Education
  • Certificate program that is customized to individual needs
  • Social and recreational opportunities with program-provided mentor support
  • Gain independent-living skills, self-advocacy skills, and greater self-confidence
  • Career Exploration (mentoring, job shadowing, internships)
  • Academic Support (Program Manager, Academic Coordinator, and Peer-mentors)
  • Access to college facilities with UVM CATcard
  • Access to the public transportation (CCTA buses) with UVM CATcard
  • UVM email account and on-campus wireless internet access with UVM NetID

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Admissions Criteria

  • Age 18-26
  • Documentation of an Intellectual Disability (American Association of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities)
    • Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem-solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills; One criterion to measure intellectual functioning is an IQ test.
    • Generally, an IQ test score of around 70 or as high as 75 indicates a limitation in intellectual functioning.
    • The student is currently, or was formerly, eligible for a free and appropriate public education under IDEA
    • This disability originates before the age of 18
  • Transportation Plan to get to and from campus (the program does not provide or coordinate transportation
  • Documentation of health insurance
  • Student must demonstrate functional communication and basic literacy and math skills
  • Demonstrates moderate level of independence, motivation, and stability
  • Moderate flexibility and ability to manage stress
  • Student desires to continue learning
  • Family/guardians will support the student’s education and development of independence

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Tentative Program Costs

  • Tuition: $1,698 per semester (12-credit certificate is four semesters, over two years)
  • Books, materials, meal plans, parking, personal items, and supplies will be an additional cost that is not included in the tuition or program fees
  • Tuition insurance (optional, but recommended)

    • *Different student-specific options can vary the overall cost*
    Financial Aid:

    Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI students will not qualify for traditional financial aid or student loans, due to federal aid policies. For information on financial assistance contact Dr. Ellen McShane, Academic Support Programs Director at 802-656-4185.

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Attaining the Certificate in Professional Studies

Academic Enrichment:
Students will be assisted to design a non-degree Certificate of Professional Studies through the UVM Continuing Education department. A select group of courses will be available and recommended based on the student’s planned course of study as determined during their Student-Centered Planning Session (accessible PDF). A certificate is achieved with a minimum of 9 credit-hours (generally 3 UVM courses) or students may combine two certificates for a total of 18 credit-hours. The students will work with a UVM Continuing Education Advisor along with the Think College Vermont Academic Coordinator to choose the courses based on the student-centered plan. UVM student mentors will provide in-class support, and students will have access to the UVM library. The Faculty Consultant and the student disability services office (ACCESS) will provide consultation and accommodations as needed.

Socialization:
Socialization, friendships, and extra-curricular activities are an important aspect of college life. The University of Vermont campus offers a variety of extra-curricular activities. The Dudley H. Davis Center, UVM's student center, has on-going activities, game rooms, dining, and lounges. The Living/Learning Center has an art gallery, acomputer lab, music practice rooms, pottery and photography studios, dining facilities, and classrooms. The athletic facility/Campus Recreation @UVM has a swimming pool, indoor track, indoor and outdoor tennis, outdoor sports fields, a fitness center, and offers a plethora of group fitness classes. Think College Vermont @UVM/CDCI students will be supported to participate in their chosen activities with peer mentors.

Independent Living Skills & Self-Advocacy Skills:
Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI students are responsible for securing and maintaining their own housing. As non-matriculated students they are not eligible for UVM student housing. Independent living skills are necessary for student and adult life and will be addressed in this program. Independent living skills will be individualized based on the student’s college plan. Instruction and learning will be experiential and community-based. Topics may include time management, banking/finances, personal safety, health and fitness, transportation, shopping, etc.

Green Mountain Self-Advocates (GMSA) developed a curriculum that provides basic information to establish peer-run self-advocacy groups, including:

  • Information on how to start a self-advocacy group
  • How to run your own meetings
  • Making decisions as a group
  • Learning from the history of the self-advocacy movement
GMSA and Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI will collaborate to implement relevant curriculum for the students.

Integrated Work Experience and Career Skills:
Students will have the opportunity to observe, tour, or try-out various employment settings in the university and community. Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI will utilize the Vermont Disability Mentoring Day network that includes numerous local businesses for career exploration. Credit-based vocational internships will be arranged for students on or off campus to provide hands-on experiential learning. The Employment Coordinator will work with the UVM Career Services Office, the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, the Chamber of Commerce, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and local supported employment agencies to work toward the goal of gainful, community-based employment for each student upon completion of the program.

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Selection Process:

Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI program-management staff will review the applications; if the student is eligible for the program, the review committee with then conduct applicant and family/guardian interviews. Please note that only seven to ten students will be enrolled in the Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI program at any given time. The decision to offer or deny admission to the program is made by the admissions review committee in their best judgment and in the best interest of the applicant.  Admitted students and their family/guardians will be required to attend orientation sessions at the University of Vermont. The orientation may include:

  • Campus tour of buildings and facilities
  • Meet fellow students and staff, including peer mentors
  • Attend a student-centered planning session
  • Attend a Continuing Education Advisement Session
  • Register for Courses
  • Acquire UVM CATcard
  • Meet Peer Mentors
  • Review UVM's student code of conduct and other university policies and safety recommendations
  • Technology Orientation (iPad, social networking, etc.)
  • Family and/or guardian Orientation
Does Think College Vermont @UVM/CDCI sound like the program for you? Download our application (DOC), now. You can also download our application in PDF Format. NOTE: Please review our eligibility requirements carefully before you consider applying to our program.

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Helpful Links

  • From GMSA: "Paying for Think College Vermont: A Guide": A guide to postsecondary financial options within Think College Vermont
  • Think College!: Our coordinating center's homepage and an excellent resource for students with intellectual disabilities interested in postsecondary education
  • Green Mountain Self-Advocates (GMSA): a Vermont self-advocacy organization run by people with developmental disabilities
  • VT Family Network: A Transition Planning Aid
  • "We Connect Now": Advocacy/Networking Blog
  • "Our Ability": Resource for Young People with Disabilities
  • ODEP Integrated Employment Toolkit: The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has developed this Integrated Employment Toolkit to provide information as individuals, community employment agencies, policymakers and others pursue integrated employment as the desired employment goal for youth and adults with disabilities. The Toolkit includes practical and, in some cases, adaptable information and documents to facilitate the movement of states, organizations and, most importantly, youth and adults to integrated employment as their primary option for employment.

Copyright Think College Vermont @UVM/CDCI, 2011. All rights reserved.

Last modified May 22 2013 09:40 AM

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