Each year, the TASH Conference brings together a diverse community of stakeholders who gain information, learn about resources, and connect with others across the country to strengthen the disability field. This year’s conference theme, “Be Creative - Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive Life,” reminds us to think outside the box during times of uncertainty. Creativity, innovation, and determination can pave the way for meaningful and inclusive lives for people with disabilities.
LifePrep@Naz (LP) is an innovative college based, post-secondary transition program for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. A primary strategy in meeting the needs of the students in the LifePrep@Naz program is the use of peer mentors. The purpose of peer mentors in many programs may be to support the learning and inclusion of students with IDD on campus, however LifePrep recognizes the learning and growth for the peer mentors can be just as important to overall program outcomes. Our program provides experiences for over 50 mentors each semester, builds over successive years, and provides opportunities for both learning and reflection. In LifePrep@Naz, the mentor program is working to create a community that understands the value and worth of all individuals. The mentor program works to integrate LP students into the campus community, providing mentors with training and experience to be leaders in inclusive practice, and creates a richer more diverse campus benefiting the entire campus community. As the result of our program, we have observed growth in the inclusive spirit at Nazareth, leading to more engagement and partnerships across campus. Peer mentors have been the driving force behind several changes leading to this increased inclusion. In this presentation, we will share the components of the LifePrep@Naz peer mentor program and the data we have collected over the last several years examining the changes measured in attitudes, awareness, and skills. Through the lens of our program, we will identify best practices in establishing and maintaining peer mentor programs.
