Cusack, Edie

This presentation shares tips and strategies for securing college and university buy-in when developing a post-secondary program for students with ID. Staff at the REACH Program at the College of Charleston share the process they used as well as lessons learned. Communication strategies and training materials for college faculty and staff are also included.

Think College Insight Brief #21 focuses on peer mentoring, where current students are matched with new students, and the significant impact it can have on the transition occurs. Many colleges that have programs for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) use peer mentoring extensively because of its many benefits. In South Carolina, the College of Charleston (C of C) uses peer mentoring as a fundamental component of its REACH (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes) Program for students with ID.