Special needs students live the college life

November 21, 2011

Through the newly launched Collegium, the Eastern Townships Learning Centre senior students are growing leaps and bounds as they experience college life for the first time on Champlain Regional College’s Lennoxville campus. Photo: Courtesy

This school year a handful of senior Eastern Townships Learning Centre (ETLC) students are spending their time on Champlain Regional College and Bishop’s University campus taking part in an educational initiative that will tap into the college experience to open more doors.
Dubbed the Collegium and modelled after similar programs across the country, students ages 18 to 21 who have special needs such as an intellectual disability are being given post-secondary education access to prepare them to live independently in the working world.
ETLC Principal Velma Sutherland explains that until recently students with a disability such as autism were likely to continue in school while their peers in mainstream schools graduated and went on to college.
“The kids can stay in the youth sector until they’re 22 [years old] so sometimes you’ll have a 21 year old learning with a 14 year old,” Sutherland said adding that such a large age gap can make it difficult to offer age-appropriate activities that will help the students transition from school to society.
Through a partnership with the Eastern Townships School Board, Champlain and Bishop’s and social services agencies, the Collegium is designed to meet the students age and ability and prepare them to transition from school into an independent life by building on their education, experience and relationships.
For some students who are years older than their peers, the program helps them to find “a healthy place in society” by keeping them involved and interested in their community and goals.

The story Tuesday in The Record