Life Skills College
Here's something interesting: a college program in Washington state specifically for students with developmental disabilities. Students in the program at Bellevue Community College graduate with an associate's degree in "occupational and life skills."
The idea of a transition between high school and the "real world" sounds great. But the price tag of more than $27,000 is a bit of a show-stopper. There have to be less-expensive transitional programs in many communities. Seven years ago, when I was at another paper, I wrote an article about a woman with developmental disabilities who, after graduation, was going to work at this program. (Unfortunately, the story itself is not on the web, but if you're committed to enriching my former employer, you can buy it here.)
I do agree with one of the people interviewed that higher education for students with disabilities is a growing topic of interest. I have "transitions" down as a major topic that I need to cover sometime during the next school year.
