University of Arizona offers new residential program for college-age people with autism

From the Tucson Citizen July 5:

Chapel Haven West, 1706 N. Park Ave., a two-year residential program for young adults with autism spectrum disorders, launched June 30 in partnership with the University of Arizona (UA).

The 16 students in the program will be integrated on the campus in a number of ways, but the biggest connection is with the department of speech, language and hearing sciences.

Betty McDonald, a speech pathologist and an associate professor at UA, will supervise UA graduate students as they work with Chapel Haven students on social communication skills. In return, the graduate students will gain data on Chapel Haven's approach for their research.

"What's nice about this program is it's affiliated with the university because it will be serving some students who have the potential to come here," said Sue Kroeger, UA's Disability Resource Center director.

"But even for those who can't attend the university, they are still getting a higher-education experience by being on campus for their classes. The standard has been a rehabilitation or medical model, but Chapel Haven is about education, integration and inclusiveness."

Chapel Haven West is a branch of Connecticut-based Chapel Haven Inc., the country's only combined state-accredited special education and independent living facility for adults with cognitive disabilities.