ACCESS

ACCESS – Adult Curriculum for Community Employment and Social Skills ACCESS is a community-based program for 18-22 year old students with current Individualized Education Plans. Under the supervision of qualified teachers, job coaches and a speech language pathologist, students learn a variety of work and community skills. Program staff and families work together to design an individualized transition plan based on student needs and interests. Students who complete the program are often ready for supported employment positions and have skills needed to participate in community activities.

Program Focus
Each student participates in a highly- structured functional curriculum which emphasizes: * social skills * life skills * community-based instruction * work experience * supportive employment * transition skills

Our Mission
Students will be most independent when provided with a highly structured positive learning environment. It is our belief that we must carefully assess and reassess a student’s strengths and develop social and vocational training opportunities based on these strengths in order to better prepare our students for a quality adult life.

Curriculum
The ACCESS program believes that students benefit from exposure to a variety of classroom and community experiences built around structure. Our goal is independence and for this reason the teaching methods and curriculum reflect this goal. The methods of Project TEACCH serve as the foundation for ACCESS.

Student Population
The target student for ACCESS is a student ranging in age from 18-22 who is enrolled in the Broward County Public School System with a current Individualized Education Plan.

Students must meet the following criteria:
* Already has acquired a diploma
* Able to navigate a large campus facility with little or no assistance
* Can communicate verbally or with a communication system with minimal assistance
* Willing to work in a variety of on- and off-campus job placements
* Able to work productively under a variety of supervisors, teachers, or potential employers
* Demonstrate independence in personal hygiene routines