UK College and Career Studies Program Finishes 1st Semester
On the Tuesday morning after Thanksgiving, a group of University of Kentucky students and their parents sat around a table to share how thankful and grateful they are for an opportunity.
The students are part of UK’s new College and Career Studies (CCS) program, which is led by the university’s Human Development Institute (HDI). It’s a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) Program, approved by the U.S. Department of Education, for students with intellectual disabilities who want to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction to prepare for competitive integrated employment.
The program is part of the Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership (KSHEP), a network of Institutions of Higher Education across the state offering inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to coordinating UK’s CTP program, HDI also serves as Kentucky’s technical assistance center on supported higher education. Other partners for UK’s program include the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT), the Stuckert Career Center and the Disability Resource Center.
"This is something we’ve wanted and hoped for, for a long time," one parent shared with the group.
Five students are currently enrolled in the CCS program, and most have just finished their first semester of college. One student piloted the program last year and returned for her second year at UK.
At their Tuesday gathering, the students shared their favorite parts of being on campus so far.