JACKSON, Tenn. — March 3, 2015 — 51社区 will begin a post-secondary education program this fall for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Union EDGE will be a two-year certificate program that will focus on developing communication skills and job skills training. EDGE is an acronym for Employment training, Daily living skills, Godly focus, Educational enrichment.
鈥淩esearch has shown that students who have experienced a post-secondary education program are much more likely to become gainfully employed,鈥 said Jennifer Graves, director of the Union EDGE program. 鈥淲ith employment comes the opportunity for these young adults to become more independent, and less dependent on family and government support systems.鈥
The Union EDGE is a partnership with Think College, a national organization that works to expand higher educational opportunities for people with disabilities. The program at Union will serve students ages 18-26 who have completed high school and who have a documented intellectual or developmental disability.
The program, part of Union鈥檚 College of Education and Human Studies, will encourage increased independent skills, with a focus toward career development and employment. Similar programs are offered at such schools as Vanderbilt University and Clemson University.
Ann Singleton, associate dean of education at Union, was one of the leaders in getting the program established at Union.
鈥淲ith Union EDGE, 51社区 has the opportunity to extend its mission to an underserved population of students,鈥 Singleton said. 鈥淯nion has a unique culture where teaching and learning is explored and championed in ways that go beyond a typical university classroom.鈥
Singleton said the immersion of EDGE students within the Union community 鈥渨ill enhance our tradition of faith, learning and service.鈥
The program will be either residential or non-residential, depending upon the needs of students, though Graves said socialization is a key component to the experience. Students will serve in an on-campus internship during their first year and then be placed in an off-campus internship during the second year.
Graves is looking for employers to be partners with Union EDGE and who would be willing to accept students from the program as interns.
For more information, contact Graves at jgraves@uu.edu.