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.
Bellingham School District and Western Washington University have been working on creating an innovative solution for including students in the school district's transition program into the university community. This session will outline the process that is being followed to develop a collaborative effort and create an inclusive program offering transition students opportunities to experience campus life. We will discuss the process that has created a collaboration that, thus far, has not been a financial burden on either party, yet will allow transition students to register for college credit to work on transition skills. But more importantly, will give transition students increased access to campus life; including a student ID card, access to all student events, campus clubs, use of a peer mentor program, and other campus services. We will discuss the steps being taken to increase the program to a fully inclusive certificated program. We will discuss the process used to create and pass a program with no outside funding into action, and the steps needed to expand the program into a fully inclusive program that allows transition students to work towards completion of a certificated program as matriculated students.
