51³Ō¹Ļās ACCESS program joins Institute on Disabilities, adding services for intellectually, developmentally disabled students
Contact: Harriet Laird
A life-changing program at Mississippi State is integrating with the universityās Mississippi Institute on Disabilities this week, a move that increases services, resources, facility space and more for this thriving initiative serving families statewide.
ACCESS has been ensuring college-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive a quality higher education experience for more than 15 years, successfully immersing them in academic classes, social activities, employment preparation and independent living.
With the transition to the College of Educationās MIoD, the ACCESS program is further complemented through the instituteās many units, which include the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, and Career Horizons Center, according to Kasee Stratton-Gadke, MIoD executive director. She said capabilities of the T.K. Martin Center alone include assistive technology like adapted driving, dyslexia and reading strategies, and even exposure to creative expression through art.
āOur goal is to continue to bring the necessary resources, expertise and programming to ensure our students receive high quality vocational training and independent living skills,ā Stratton-Gadke said. āThe students are among the largest population of untapped, potential employees in the state, and this opportunity will improve their futures.ā
Through MIoD initiatives, collaborations also are enriched with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, a critical partner with the ACCESS program and all of MIoDās initiatives. Additionally, foundational faculty and staff within the institute also bring unique disability-related expertise to support and further elevate ACCESS.
Psychological, behavioral and emotional help are needs that āweāre also prepared to meet,ā said Stratton-Gadke of the MIoDās affiliation with the school psychology and applied behavioral analysis programs within the College of Education. āSeveral departments, labs and faculty are involved in this type of work and will be a tremendous asset.ā
Dedicated space in the universityās newly constructed Duff Centerāwhich will be home to ACCESSāwill provide office space, a computer lab, and an apartment-type area for classes on healthy, safe and enjoyable living that mirrors similar environments experienced after college. The Duff Center opens in August.
Jordan Spencer, assistant clinical professor in the education collegeās Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations, is the new interim director of ACCESS. He previously worked with this program and helped develop and implement many of the current structures, alongside growing and continuing to lead the Autism Liaison and iREACH programs for the college-age population.
Stratton-Gadke said, āDr. Spencerās collective knowledge and experience make him uniquely suited to oversee ACCESS and related services effectively, particularly during this centralization of MIoD programs. He strengthens our ability to deliver impactful, age-spanning services while working to grow the institute.ā
Also, ACCESS academically opens more opportunities for College of Education students to gain the skills and pathways to licensure they need to secure employment that utilizes their specialized training.
College of Education Dean Teresa Jayroe, said, āThe addition of the ACCESS program to the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities is going to further expand 51³Ō¹Ļās service in the state. The support these students receive will not only be cutting edge, but will result in remarkable outcomes benefiting them and their families.ā
For more on 51³Ō¹Ļās ACCESS program or the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, contact Kasee Stratton-Gadke at kstratton@tkmartin.msstate.edu.
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