University of Iowa Reach program: empowering young adults with disabilities by providing tailored higher education opportunities
The University of Iowa REACH Program, which stands for Realizing Educational and Career Hopes, is a transition certificate program for college students with disabilities, such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities. UI REACH, which lives in the UI College of Education, provides a Big Ten college experience and empowers young adults to become independent members of the community. Coursework, campus life, and career experiences prepare students to reach their full potential. UI REACH’s core program is two-years, with an optional third year focused on building independent living skills. As a comprehensive, campus-based certificate program, UI REACH was one of the first programs of its kind at a major public university.
The University of Iowa REACH Program is a valuable pillar of our society and has initiated a wonderful dedicated program which focuses on core development and empowerment of a student with disabilities. They are giving a great solution for parents of children with disabilities who want their kids to pursue or continue a higher education path that will enrich their lives.
Thank you University of Iowa REACH Program for your time and useful tips. Your positive steps towards creating a successful educational program for the students with disabilities are inspirational.
More Info
UI REACH is in its 11th year of operation and has served over 200 students.
Related questions:
Q: What is the recruitment process for the program?
A: UI REACH recruits’ students from across the state of Iowa, nation, and globe, with its first international student enrolled this year. UI REACH boasts strong local student enrollment, as well as geographical diversity, with approximately 50% of its students being out-of-state, spanning from New York to California, and many states in-between.
Q: What are the admissions criteria for this program?
A: Prospective student application materials are reviewed using a holistic approach to determine if the student’s goals are best served by attending UI REACH. The academic, social, and adaptive behavior abilities of each student are evaluated to determine if the student has demonstrated baseline capacities needed to fully optimize the college experience, make meaningful growth while in the program, and remain safe with supervised and unsupervised time on a large university campus.
Q: What type of educational/enrichment programs are in place for students with disabilities?
A: - UI REACH classes engage students through small-group instruction, hands-on learning, and real-world opportunities. Classes follow The University of Iowa academic calendar. For a complete list of UI REACH courses, refer to the
General Catalog.
- UI REACH students also participate in some University offered courses with support from UI REACH staff. Traditionally admitted students attend a variety of UI REACH core courses, providing an inclusive academic learning for all students.
- The student-centered planning approach is used by student advisors to develop goals and monitor individual progress.
Q: How does the program empower students for independent living and employment?
A: UI REACH utilizes a variety of learning environments and experiences with a focus on self-advocacy and preparing students for independent living and employment. Student coursework, living in an integrated residence hall, and vocational preparation and internship experiences provide students with a rich, and well-rounded learning experience. Though the national employment rate for those with disabilities was 17.6 percent in 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, 81 percent of UI REACH graduates were employed and another 14 percent were continuing their educations, two years post graduating from the UI REACH program, according to data from UI REACH staff.
Q: What is your suggestion/tips for families of children with disabilities who want to prepare their kids for higher education?
A: Continue to work with your school’s educational professionals to develop goals that the student and student’s support team determine are most beneficial. There are a growing number of higher education opportunities available for students, all of which provide unique learning experiences. Identify some programs that may be an appropriate fit for your student, and work towards meeting goals that would provide your student a foundation for success in those programs.
