Parent Newsletter Spring 2014
REACHing OUT Academics, Independence, Socialization, Career Development
REACHing a Milestone On May 10th, our first two REACH students will walk across the stage at the College of Charleston’s graduation ceremony. We look back at how these students and our program started, a mere 4 years ago, and are amazed and what we have accomplished together. The students have not only become fully-independent, working members of society, but our program has grown into one of the most respected and emulated curriculums for students with intellectual disabilities in higher education. Our Program Director, Edie Cusack, is amazed at the transitions Brian and Will have completed during their time at REACH. “Both students have made huge leaps with interaction and communication. The ability to self-regulate communication with others has increased self-esteem and allowed them to truly experience college life,” she says. And with their confidence and achievements, comes increased success for the program. Edie explains, “The amount of professors that have had REACH students in class has increased. It is not as difficult to get support, because the students have proven themselves and won over naysayers.” Brian and Will are grateful for the opportunities they have had at CofC and are happy to support the program that Edie has spearheaded. Will says, “They have given me the opportunity to be one of the faces of the program. More importantly, they have allowed us to show individuals what students can do and not let society dictate what we can do. “ Brian says, “The REACH team did everything possible for me. Everything we have learned here we will use in the future.” Brian and Will’s success is not just in the classroom. For the past 4 years, both students have completed internships, joined clubs and fraternities, been involved with school functions, and proven that they can live independently. “There will be tears,” Edie says of their walk across the stage in May, “walking across the stage at the traditional graduation is such a symbol of the whole process.” Her pride in her students and the program is apparent when she describes college as “functional education that every student deserves.” She would like them to remember that “graduation is not the end, just another stepping stone towards the destination” and she would like to see all of her students “live independently and be in charge of their own lives”. As Brian and Will walk across the stage in May, our program will ‘REACH’ a huge milestone, one that all of our students, staff, parents and supporters can be immensely proud of.
Congratulations Brian and Will! Page 1
Open House a Huge Success On April 4th, the REACH program once again opened its doors for new and prospective students and their parents. The event was ‘sold out’ and everyone helping and attending the event found it to be a huge success.
Parents and students were greeted at the door by Director Edie Cusack and the REACH staff and then given the opportunity to mingle with other participants from around the country. Parents travelling all the way from Detroit, DC, and even Colorado were overheard making comments about how ‘the program has such an amazing support system’ and ‘These programs have come such a long way in such a short time’.
Once introductions were made, Edie explained the program and how students in REACH make the transition to college. Although everyone looked a little nervous as they listened to the ‘6 weeks rule’, you could see the hope in parents faces, and the excitement in all of the students eyes. After lunch, parents and students had perfect weather for a campus tour that included the main buildings, a traditional dormitory, and the library.
After the student panel, there was a Q&A period with different departments on campus, from financial aid to meal services, and finally a panel with two professors that currently have REACH students in their classes. Parents and students walked away from the Open House educated on everything the REACH program has to offer, and eager to become a part of the family.
Upcoming Events
In the afternoon, participants got a chance to speak to current students and ask questions during the student panel. This was a wonderful opportunity for parents and students to see how the program has affected other undergraduates with similar disabilities and how much it has changed their lives and their future outlook.
Graduation Saturday, May 10th Summer Break After students last exam-‐ Saturday, May 3rd First Day of Fall Classes Tuesday, August 19th
Travel P lans for students Before making any travel arrangements please verify with your student their class schedule. Students should not miss class or exams in order to leave for their break early. If you or your student are uncertain of exam schedules, please contact us directly at 843-‐953-‐4849.
*Summer Break begins immediately after student’s last scheduled exam. *Residence halls close on May 4th at noon.
Scholarship Gala Friday, September 26th More information online at: https://www.facebook.com/re ach.fundraiser.5?fref=ts
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Mr. Farrior goes to Washington!
In February, the director of the REACH Program, Edie Cusack, accompanied Senior, Will Farrior, to Washington, D.C. to speak on behalf of students with intellectual disabilities at the HELP Committee Hearing. The roundtable discussion was focused on students with disabilities in post secondary education and the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Will felt “privileged, honored, excited and blessed to speak on behalf of [his] program.” He explains, “having this amazing opportunity allowed me to do three important things which were, to advocate for students on the autism spectrum, advocate for post secondary programs around the world, and to recognize my amazing school, the College of Charleston…”
DID YOU KNOW? The first graduating class of the College of Charleston was in 1794. There were 6 students in the ceremony.
While in D.C, Edie and Will were honored to meet Senator Tim Scott- SC, Senator Lamar Alexander-TN, and Senator Tom Harken- IA. They all, along with Edie, believed Will did an amazing job speaking in front of the committee. When Will was asked how he thought his input affected the proceedings he replied, “I was able to express my opinion for the individuals that necessarily don’t have the most obvious disabilities. More importantly, it gave me some reassurance that these politicians are able to go back to the drawing board to figure multiple ways to change post secondary programs from certificate base to degree base along with other things…” The HELP Committee is continuing to modify and revise the Higher Educations Act to “improve rates of college enrollment, retention and graduation of students with disabilities” according to Sen. Harkin. As for Will, this trip to DC has already had a profound effect on him. “This particular trip gave me reassurance that I can find a job [and that] things are surely going to change in the near future for all students.”
PATH Planning This semester the REACH team underwent training with Meghan Trowbridge from the Center of Disability Resources at USC to implement PATH Planning for all current and future students. PATH Planning takes ‘person centered planning’ a step further, by establishing a 5 year goal with each student and then breaking it down to smaller time increments like 6 months and 1 year, while also providing the steps to get there. During the training the REACH team was taught interviewing techniques to get students to speak for themselves, avoid ‘leading’, and discover student’s true passion and future outlook. By speaking openly with the students they begin to realize that their support team does not have to rely solely on their parents, but that they can reach out to mentors, professors, p eers, and co-‐workers for help planning their future. PATH p lanning is also a great visual tool for students to see how to reach a goal. At REACH, the students each have a long b anner on the wall with their PATH laid out. Students are encouraged to draw, write comments, etc., on the banner to give them a visual reminder of what path they want their lives to take. This teaches the students how to be active planners in their life, in college and b eyond. For more information on PATH planning go to: http://inclusive-‐ solutions.com/path/
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REACHing OUT The Photo Booth
Words of Wisdom Your time is limited; don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by Dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other opinions drowned your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and your intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. -‐Steve Jobs
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REACHing OUT is brought to you by: The R.E.A.C.H. Program 66 George St. Charleston, SC 29424 843-953-4811 reachprogram@cofc.edu http://reach.cofc.edu
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