Special Needs in College

http://www.yumasun.com/news/cibola-57559-education-students.html

Cibola forum focuses on special needs in college
The many career options for those approaching high school graduation will be outlined at Cibola High School's ongoing monthly series about continuing education Thursday.


A postsecondary curriculum forum for college-bound students with an emphasis on special needs students is offered at Cibola's Library Media Center, noted Terry Rademacher, parent information network specialist for Yuma/La Paz counties at Arizona Department of Education

"That's our target audience. Parents and students are urged to attend to learn about choices available for higher education. And agency folks like the vocational rehabilitation division at DES (Department of Economic Security) whose clients could benefit are welcome, too."

The forum is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cibola, 4100 W. 20th St. No registration is required and it is free to the public. Spanish-language translation and child care will be provided, Rademacher said.

Two facilitators from Arizona Western College will make the presentations: Larry Lebsock, director of the Tech Prep Consortium, and Laura Sandigo, the AccessABILITY Resource services director.

Lebsock's Tech Prep incorporates a smooth transition from high school to college, said Rademacher.

"He has it all laid out. His program is very integrated as to what curriculum is needed at high school and college."

One of the big things AWC is working on now is a fluent plan to facilitate the progression from high school to college for special needs students, Lebsock said. Special needs include any of those challenged with physical, mental or emotional disabilities.

"I've developed a program, Career Pathways, that shows parents and students a track to a career or four-year institution. We've got 36 different pathways. And depending on a student's career choice, we can outline an approach to an associate's degree in that career area."

Some of the programs Lebsock will discuss are training in automotive repair, welding, carpentry, air conditioning, computer graphics, TV production, hospitality, child development, criminal justice and education, which would flow into a four-year degree, he noted.

"I think parents who want to see their children move forward in education and careers should make an effort to attend so they can clearly see what options they need to consider to plan ahead."

Sandigo said she will discuss the college level of services available for special needs students.

"I'll focus on the difference between laws that govern the rights of individuals with disabilities and the responsibilities of those students with disabilities."

She added whereas in high school, special needs students are typically identified through the administration's battery of testing, at college students must seek out services.

Also, many colleges today provide the necessary materials designed to help special needs students such as texts in braille, audiobooks, screen readers (text to speech, speech to text) and other software to help students achieve a level playing field.

"It is a simple matter to make sure all facilities and curriculum are available for students but they must self-report and provide documentation (of disabilities). So then my office can provide those eligible accommodations."