The SUNY Orange board of trustees has approved the BRIDGES program, a post-secondary curriculum that will provide students with learning disabilities the chance to develop living and social skills as well as access vocational training.
The three-year, noncredit program will be open to those with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disabilities. The program includes two enrollment tracks: a program for those over the age of 21 who have completed high school and another for students ages 18 to 21 who are still in high school.
Enrollment for the over-21 program will begin in January and high school enrollment is expected to begin next fall. Enrollment in each track will be limited to 12 students per year; students can also audit one SUNY Orange course per semester.
The program”™s name stands for: Building educational foundations; Realizing what is possible; Individualizing personal goals and self discovery; Developing confidence and skills; Guiding the process to success; Empowering young adults in their role as Students.
BRIDGES Director Patricia Bassey said the goal of the program is to maximize student potential and encourage independence through the teaching of skills and strategies and other educational support.
“There is a great need for this type of programming and we hope BRIDGES will become the Hudson Valley’s leading college-based educational program for individuals with learning differences,” Bassey said. “To say I am excited about starting this program is an understatement.”
The program was funded by a $250,000 state appropriation. It is expected to be sustained going forward through tuition, fees and grants.
For more information, contact Patricia Bassey at 845-341-4694.
