Hi group members,
After re-reading the discussion strands on Cooking and Disabilities and Baking and Disabilities, I thought about the partnerships involved in setting up and running such programs. The more effective the programs, the more collaborations needed for them to run. Some possibilities come to mind including transportation, other agencies serving adults with disabilities, large state agencies such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Division of Blind Services, agencies that provide sign language interpreters, Recreation Centers/YMCA, public libraries, group living/transitional facilities, supported employment locations, and industry partnerships, etc.
I would love to hear members respond to this question. What partnerships and collarborations have been successful in your programs?
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Rochelle Kenyon, SME
Comments
In Arkansas, our most statewide partnership is with Vocational Rehabilitation Services. For referred students who are accepted as clients, they can administer the LD diagnostic tests needed to request accommodations on the GED, and they can help the student obtain employment. There are no charges for their services.
We have also had collaboration with the Arkansas Optometric Association, which provides free vision screenings statewide once a year. They can also conduct functional vision assessments for students who indicate such a need during screening, but that service is not free.
Another existing collaboration is with the Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services, who oversee the care of foster children. Many of these children end up in adult education programs, and it helps that the Division of Child and Family Services completes LD evaluations on every foster child. If the child needs to request testing accommodations, they have current documentation to support their request.
Hi Patti,
Thanks for sharing your information with our group on Arkansas's partnerships/collaboration. There are so many outstanding services for people with disabilities. I think it is important for adult educators to know how to help their students benefit from that information.
How are your adult educators and students in Arkansas informed about all these services?
What role do you play in securing services for adult education students in Arkansas?
Will members from other states share the partnerships/collaborations that you have, please?
Thank you,
Rochelle Kenyon, SME