Clemson LIFE provides a higher education experience for a special population

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Kim Hammons wrote: Clemson LIFE provides a higher education experience for a special populationhttp://www.clemson. edu/newsroom/ articles/ 2008/september/ ClemsonLIFE. php5Clemson University's Eugene T. School of Education will launch ClemsonLIFE in January, a program designed to provide a college experience for students with intellectual disabilities. The College Transition Connection (CTC) is funding development of the program, with financial support from the state of South Carolina. The CTC grant will total $155,000 over three years.State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex will join Clemson faculty, CTC board members, disability organization representatives and prospective students with disabilities and their parents when the program is unveiled at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, at the Madren Center on the Clemson University campus.ClemsonLIFE (Learning Is For

Everyone) is designed to provide a coordinated course of study that enables qualified students to experience college life while developing the employment and independent living skills necessary to participate fully in society.The program is aimed at 18- to 25-year-olds with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities who have completed - but not necessarily graduated from - high school, according to Sharon , program manager."This is a great opportunity for Clemson University to open up to a population that is overlooked and whose gifts and abilities are under-used," said. "While program participants learn important academic, life and work skills, Clemson students, in turn, gain important exposure to a group that may become a valuable part of their

workforce."According to special education assistant professor Joe , founder of ClemsonLIFE, "This program is an important step in addressing a critical need across both South Carolina and the United States in helping young adults with disabilities transition successfully from high school to the work force." The two-year program will provide classes on independent living, decision-making, business communication and money skills while also providing job internships and opportunities to be included in campus life, all focused around providing a successful transition to the work environment.The pilot cohort of three students will be admitted in January

2009, with six more students accepted each fall after that. The students will learn independent living skills while taking part in various off-campus and on-campus activities. Program goals include academic enrichment, socialization, independent living skills and job training and career exploration. For more information, contact at ssanderclemson (DOT) edu or see the program Web site at http://www.clemson. edu/culife. ClemsonLIFE is supported by a partnership between South Carolina's College Transition Connection, the National Down Syndrome Society and the Center for Disability Resources at the University of South Carolina. Kim Hammons IPUT Informed Parents United Together Tampa, Florida www.iput.org www.yahoogroups.com Keyword: "IPUT"