A test program at West Chester University to give students with intellectual disabilities a full college immersion experience has been so successful that it is on its way to becoming an official university program, if funding can be found.

The RAM Initiative was designed two years ago as a pilot certificate-of-completion program, funded with a year-at-a-time grant.

The university has three students participating; two students were admitted in 2018, and one was admitted in 2019. The three students continue to excel in the program, and the university is proud of the students’ efforts to pursue a certificate of completion.

Two students will receive their certificate in May 2020, and the third student is expected to receive a certificate in May 2021.

The university now intends to move the successful test-pilot program to an official program with the assistance of the community and feels confident it can raise the money necessary to support the program through philanthropy and grant acquisition.

The pilot program was supported by multiple volunteers. The program’s direct and indirect costs will increase to approximately $100,000 each year to support the staffing and operating costs necessary to sustain it.

“We are grateful for the funding from the Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Forum and the United States Department of Education Transition and Post-Secondary Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities grant, which have supported the pilot during its initial two years,” said Deputy Provost Jeffery Osgood.

“The university, however, must ensure it has appropriately planned for the program’s continuation with or without such generous support.”

To help plan for the program’s long-term sustainability, the WCU Foundation has established a RAM Initiative fund for restricted use of this program only.

Community members may contribute to the RAM Initiative by navigating directly to the Foundation’s web page here.

[uam_ad id=”80503″]

.

[uam_ad id=”80502″]