Senate Bill 16-196 created a 5-year pilot program to establish inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and Arapahoe Community College. SB 16-196 came about through the collaborative effort of parents of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other committed stakeholders who formed a nonprofit, IN! Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education. The leadership of IN! was inspired by a movement across the country to create opportunities in institutions of higher education (both two- and four-year programs) for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience and gain from inclusive higher education programs. The 2020-21 academic year is the final year of the pilot program.
Learning objectives:
Understand Colorado's pilot higher education initiative
Describe strategies, barriers and successes of inclusion in the university programs participating in the pilot
Presenters:
Christina Ruffatti, MA, CRC; Go On and Learn (GOAL) Program, University of Northern Colorado
Christi Kasa, PhD; Office of Inclusive Services, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Julie Harmon, Office of Inclusive Services, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Jennifer Woegens, MS; Disability Access Services, Arapahoe Community College
Tracy Murphy, Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education (IN!)
Beth Leon, MBA; Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education (IN!)
The Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF) team will present on the importance of having high expectations of employment for young adults with disabilities. The presentation will review the building blocks of the transition planning process, discuss the importance of a strong postsecondary vision for employment and how we can best prepare young adults for success. Additionally, the COEF team will raise awareness about how connecting to community resources such as benefits counseling and developing community partnerships to support young adults achieve their goals of employment are also essential to the process of achieving postsecondary success. The intended audience for this webinar includes: professionals, families, youth and all those interested.
At the end of this session, participants will: Understand the basics of the transition planning process Gain understanding about the importance of high expectations at a young age Learn about early employment experiences and key points on how benefits counseling is an important step Understand the state system and resources that can support young adults.
Speakers: Melanie Honsbruch, CPWIC; Teresa Nguyen, MPH; and Jennifer Stewart, MPP Colorado Office of Employment First
Many individuals with ASD and their families have questions regarding gender identity, sexuality, and intimacy. While gender and sexuality are common topics to explore in adolescence, there are a number of misconceptions regarding how to best support teens with ASD in navigating these changes. This webinar will provide information about strategies for caregivers and professionals to support teens in these areas with consideration of the unique learning needs of teens with ASD.
The intended audience for this webinar includes: families, caregivers, community care providers, and school-based providers
Learning objectives:
Discuss common misconceptions around sexual development and intimacy in adolescents with ASD
Explore core components of relationships and sexuality for adolescents with ASD including gender identity, dating, social safety, and sex education.
Learn skill building strategies for promoting health sexual development in adolescents with ASD
Speakers:
Lindsey DeVries, PhD, Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Caitlin Middleton, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
This webinar will discuss the meaning and process of transition to adult healthcare, as well as health disparities, and hope for the future.
Learning Objectives:
Define transition, and define transfer; understand the differences of each process.
Discuss healthcare disparities patients with I/DD experience as they age.
Review research about healthcare for adults with IDD.
Outline the process of an ideal healthcare transition (wait a minute, there is no ideal! It should all be tailored to each patient and family’s unique situation and timeline.)
Understand the perspective of a patient/family who has undergone transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.
