Education
We work to bring the most current and requested information for parents/educators of students with IDD to the local area at the lowest cost possible. Thus far we have hosted two conferences: Down Syndrome Education International and Let's Talk Behavior with Stacy Taylor. Sue Buckley with Down Syndrome Education is an internationally recognized educational psychologist who has been looking at the best ways to include and educated individuals with intellectual disabilities for over 30 years. Stacy Taylor, a behavior Analyst from FL owns and runs her own behavior clinic and K-6 inclusive school and came to share strategies with local educators and parents to ensure success in an inclusive environment.
What’s next? We are looking to run a series on Special Education Law for local parents. Many parents going through the identification process in the public school system and IEP development process have not been through it before. Parents often have many questions and they are not always pointed in the right direction or answered as directly as they could be - we would like to help answer those questions by explaining the laws governing special education and the process, as it was intended.
What’s next? We are looking to run a series on Special Education Law for local parents. Many parents going through the identification process in the public school system and IEP development process have not been through it before. Parents often have many questions and they are not always pointed in the right direction or answered as directly as they could be - we would like to help answer those questions by explaining the laws governing special education and the process, as it was intended.
SEAHAWKLIFE
Over the last two years, we have been working with St. Mary's College of Maryland on a 4-year post-secondary program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. SeahawkLIFE is representative of post-secondary programs looking to close the gap for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities between school and work/independent life. It will include a four-year, inclusive experience for individuals with IDD to learn, work, and play alongside traditionally-enrolled college students. Students will take traditional courses as well as independent life skill courses and will have both on and off-campus employment during the program. College is a crucially important time for all individuals to develop independence and SeahawkLIFE students will have the opportunity to do so alongside their neurotypical peers in a community dedicated to inclusivity and equality.
SeahawkLIFE is a unique program design because it will be residential, which is a piece that is missing from many programs for individuals with IDD. Living on campus provides a richer experience and growth potential for students with IDD. Additionally, students in SeahawkLIFE will be enrolled in traditional courses as well as more independent skill-based courses, which is not the case at many post-secondary programs.
SeahawkLIFE is a unique program design because it will be residential, which is a piece that is missing from many programs for individuals with IDD. Living on campus provides a richer experience and growth potential for students with IDD. Additionally, students in SeahawkLIFE will be enrolled in traditional courses as well as more independent skill-based courses, which is not the case at many post-secondary programs.
workforce
A program designed to recognize employers who are employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a fair, competitive, and inclusive way. Employers who meet criterion will be given recognition which will include a certificate, a program decal, and recognition on our website and through social media. We will work with current program partners to find out how to support new employers looking to hire these individuals. Through interviews with and observations of both employers and employees, we will develop a tool kit to give to employers looking to hire individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.