Grant Provides Disabled Students Better Chance at Success


January 14, 2013

Students with intellectual disabilities will have a better chance for living independently and finding employment thanks to a new state grant that Brevard Community College has received.

The $15,000 allocation will fund a program called TOGETHER that teams the college with Brevard Public Schools to assist disabled students 18 to 22-years old.

Using academic and social mentors, the students will have the opportunity to audit classes, get involved in student clubs and participate in Student Government Association events.

The goal is to help them learn employable skills through BCC鈥檚 vocation programs and use social interaction on campus to improve their ability to live independently.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an excellent opportunity for intellectually disabled students who previously have had few options after high school,鈥� said Dr. Suzanne O鈥橬eill, director of BCC鈥檚 Office for Students with Disabilities.

鈥淭his has very good potential to help them improve their lives and find a rewarding job that matches their abilities.鈥�

The grant was obtained through the efforts of O鈥橬eill, who said the program will be based on the Cocoa campus. It will start with six students in August and hopefully grow.

鈥淲e鈥檒l work closely with Brevard Public Schools to make the program available to as many students as possible,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e eager to get started.鈥�

BCC offers more than 100 two-year degree and certificate programs and will launch its first bachelor degree programs in August when it changes its name and becomes 新澳门六合彩开奖记录.

For more information on the TOGETHER program, contact O鈥橬eill at oneills@brevardcc.edu or 321-433-7008.