易胜博官网

The grant, which comes from the 易胜博官网 Charitable Foundation鈥檚 John Vance ACCESS Fund, will help support the implementation of the program.

鈥溡资げ┕偻�-4U will combine traditional classroom time with inclusive housing options, peer mentoring and academic coaches from same-age peers,鈥� explains Tobey Partch-Davies, IOD project director on poverty and disability. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to establish a model that will help young people with intellectual disabilities achieve their life goals through meaningful careers and social endeavors in all aspects of adulthood.鈥�

易胜博官网-4U will be an inclusive two-year comprehensive transition program on the Durham campus. 鈥淚t has the support of stakeholders and partners from across the university and the state,鈥� explains Matt Gianino, associate director of the IOD. 鈥淏eyond improving academic and competitive employment outcomes, 易胜博官网-4U will provide an authentic campus life experience including opportunities for social development, independent living and recreational endeavors.鈥�

The IOD was established in 1987 with a mission to promote full access, equal opportunities and participation for all persons. According to the institute鈥檚 research, more than 35,000 residents living in 易胜博官网 have an intellectual disability, and youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities are significantly more likely to be underemployed and live in poverty than peers of their same age without intellectual disabilities.

鈥淭he majority of these young people, particularly those from low-income families, lack access to meaningful post-secondary education and career opportunities that would help them change these outcomes,鈥� Gianino notes.

Jason Vance, advisor of the John Vance ACCESS Fund, praises the new program: 鈥淧roviding individuals with inclusive educational opportunities that contribute to rewarding work, career and personal opportunities was precisely the work of my father, John Vance, and the dedicated staff of ACCESS for over 20 years,鈥� he explains. 鈥淲e are excited by the partnerships involved both within the university and with outside partners and believe there exists a great need for this innovative educational model in 易胜博官网 and beyond.鈥�

The IOD is seeking the additional $150,000 in matching contributions needed to begin the admissions process for students and donations may be made through the . 鈥淭he John Vance ACCESS Fund鈥檚 belief in our work is invaluable to this initiative,鈥� Partch-Davies says.

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