Project PEER: Postsecondary Education, Employment and Research

Project Details

Project Context:
Consistent with longstanding initiatives for inclusion, students with significant disabilities desire to participate in postsecondary education. The presence and participation on campus of persons with disabilities enrich the experiences of all members of the campus community. This project brings young adults with significant disabilities together with their age peers and others involved in higher education.

Project Focus:
Project PEER, Postsecondary Education, Employment and Research, is a program for young adults with developmental disabilities aged 18-21 who participate in special education services of two local education agencies. The Center for Persons with Disabilities houses the program on the Utah State University campus to facilitate students' participation in social, recreational, and employment opportunities with their age peers. The program emphasizes development of employment, functional, and social skills facilitated by (a) participation with peers in the campus student community, (b) establishment of job samples and job training leading to employment upon post high school graduation, and (c) education based on students' IEPs. The PEER program is funded by the local education agencies.

Faculty and graduate students from the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at USU study variables that may contribute to the students' preparation for employment and self direction.

Project Services:
PEER offers young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to prepare for employment and independence in campus settings and the community. It places students in an inclusive setting along with their age peers who are enrolled in academic programs at USU. PEER students are engaged in activities located in various campus and community locations.

PEER is also a research site that provides opportunity for professionals to study ways to teach employment, social, recreation, and leisure skills to young adults with disabilities. Students' programs continue to be based on their Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and are supported by teachers and paraeducators who are employed by the Cache County and Logan City School districts.

Additionally, PEER provides a site for practicum and student teacher placements at USU for future educators. The project also employs students in positions as paraeducators and liaisons to student organizations on campus.

FY '10 Focus:
PEER began operating in January, 2007 and continues to address its goal to develop the array of activities to expand participation in postsecondary education. In the 2009-10 school year, 17 young adults with disabilities are enrolled. All PEER students participate in campus-based employment internships and social and recreational activities pursuant to their transition and IEP goals.