College of Charleston creates life skills program for people with learning disabilities

From WCSC-TV in South Carolina:

CHARLESTON, S.C. - People with learning or mental challenges will now be getting the life skills and lessons others enjoy thanks, in part, to a news program at the College of Charleston. CofC will integrate these students on campus, and it may have benefits for everyone.

Starting at age 18, college life is a once in a lifetime opportunity. "We've gone to like some of the campus events, like some of the movies," freshman Erica Levine said.

Freshman Myles Prados and junior William Holt are taking advantage of their college careers by joining the swim club and just "chilling in the Cistern" reading book.

"We play water polo, and we play Frisbee out at Marion Square," Prados said.

CofC now wants to give the experience to students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities like "students with autism, or with down syndrome, or with other life-long learning disabilities who traditionally have been left out of post-secondary educational opportunities," Dr. Cindi May said.

Dr. May is developing the new Learning Is For Everyone, or LIFE program at the school.

"Goals of the program are to address the academic, the social, and professional needs of these students so that they continue to grow and develop," Dr. May said.

Classwork will be prepared so the LIFE program students can go to class with the average college student, and professionally the school will help them find jobs after they get credits for a college certificate.

Program organizers hope to give these students a chance to live right on campus, go to the student center to hang out and eat, and attend sporting events. The goal is getting them involved in all aspects of the college experience.

There are added benefits for other students. "It gives everyone a chance to get to learn more about the condition and also be more accepting," Levine said.

USC, Clemson, and Coastal Carolina also have LIFE programs on their campus. Enrollment for CofC’s program will begin early next year. Only students who have completed a high school program will be accepted.