Executive Director for Florida Center for Students with Unique Disabilities Dr. Paula Kohler Currently serves as associate vice president of Research and professor in the Special Education Program at Western Michigan University. Kohler will begin her new job at UCF on Sept. 6.

Primary Objectives: Support the creation, expansion and renewal of Florida’s Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTP) programs in public colleges and universities offering inclusive options and programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Administer grants and facilitate award nomination process. Fund scholarships for students with intellectual disabilities who are attending qualified programs in Florida. Develop a base of research in this area and disseminate the research through peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations, and trainings. Consult and collaborate with Higher Education Coordinating Council to identify credential guidelines for Florida Comprehensive Transition Programs. Engage businesses and other stakeholders to promote experiential training and employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. Establish timelines and a method for colleges and universities to submit data on required student demographic information and specified program characteristics. (Florida State Senate § 1004.6495, 2016)

Potentially Eligible FL Institutions

CTP: Requires students with intellectual disabilities to have at least ½ of their participation in the program, as determined by the institution, focus on academic components

+ + Key Components Inclusion Academics Employment May include Credit-bearing courses w/students without disabilities through regular enrollment Auditing or otherwise participating in courses with students without Taking some non-credit-bearing, nondegree courses with students with disabilities Integrates students with intellectual disabilities to socially and academically interact with nondisabled students to the maximum extent possible. Includes internship/employment opportunities that support students with intellectual disabilities seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction at an eligible institution to prepare students for gainful employment.

Outcomes

Inclusive Education Services – Mission Sample To deliver an innovative and distinctively inclusive three- year post-secondary educational experience for individuals with intellectual disabilities by facilitating immersive academic, campus, and vocational opportunities Consider this a UCF experience via Inclusive Education Services (IES)   5

Growth Projections Age Range: 19 – 33 Students from Spring Hill, Vero Beach, and Stuart, FL and, in 2016, Utah 5

Academic Curriculum Model University introduction course (1) General education courses (3) Field of interest courses (3) Electives (2 – 3) Internship

Quick Hit Data for 2015-2016 5 employed by the end of Spring 2016 4 in an unpaid internship over the course of the academic year Collectively completed 30 university courses

6 lived in the Neptune residential community 4 commuted (Spring admits) 7 consistently participated in at least one student club or organization All utilized the Rec & Wellness Center at least one time throughout the semester 8 consistently used the Student Assisted Workout resource available through RWC.

FPCTP Requires an outline of the program length and design, including: Inclusive and successful experiential education practices relating to curricular, assessment, advising structure, and internship/employment opportunities that support students with intellectual disabilities seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction at an eligible institution to prepare students for gainful employment. Identifies performance indicators If offering a credit-bearing degree program, the institution must maintain the rigor and effectiveness of a comprehensive transition degree program at the same level as other comparable degree programs offered by the institution pursuant to applicable accreditation standards. Integrates students with intellectual disabilities to socially and academically with nondisabled students to the maximum extent possible. Requires identification of a credential associated with the proposed program Includes an opportunity to earn an industry certification.

New Opportunities