Disabled Young Adults Gain Independence through Kent State's Transition Program

This past August, a new program was implemented at Kent State University for young adults with disabilities. Twenty-one students participate in the Career and Community Studies Transition Program, which allows youth with intellectual disabilities, who would otherwise not be eligible to live on a campus, to use the university setting along with their peers without disabilities to become independent while developing and refining their career goals.

The program focuses on rigorous academic enrichment while providing peer socialization and reinforcing independent living skills. Throughout the individualized coursework, students acquire self-advocacy and career skills that will lead to employment in the community. Upon completion of this innovative career development program, students will receive significant credentials documenting their achievement and career experience and skills.

Kent State is one of 27 universities nationally to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Higher Education to develop a program known as “Transition in Postsecondary Settings for Students with Intellectual Disabilities” (TPSID).

The university is recognized as a model site for providing postsecondary options for students with intellectual disabilities. This program will benefit students with intellectual disabilities and also provide valuable preparation and experience to students who are preparing for a career in disability-related fields.

For more information, contact Yvonne Michali at yhale@kent.edu or Tom Hoza at thoza@kent.edu, co-directors of the program at Kent State.

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Media Contacts:
Beth Thomas, ethoma1@kent.edu, 330-672-7838
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595