ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The WinthropLIFE program has secured a $93,000 grant from the S.C. Commission on Higher Education to help pay for software, laptops and iPads for its students.
The LIFE program offers those with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to attend college. Each student can live on campus and attend classes with a customized schedule, which includes traditional courses, internships and specialty courses to develop specific skill sets.
The laptops and iPads will help the LIFE students develop professional skills, participate in virtual conferencing and provide support at employment sites, said Ryan Morrison, who coordinates the program. The support includes visual instructions and video modeling through the use of a software program called SIMmersion.
In addition, an employment preparation course will be developed to help with resume writing, application completion and interview skills, Morrison said. The devices are expected to arrive this spring. Instruction will begin after spring break with full scale implementation this fall.
The focus of WinthropLIFE is to build and strengthen skills in the areas of employment, self-determination, health and nutrition, social networking and independent living.
This is the first grant the program has been awarded since the initial grant to establish the program in 2014, according to Beth Costner, dean of the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences. Originally called Think College, the program has transitioned to using the name WinthropLIFE. Thirteen students are now in the program, and educators hope to increase the number of students next year to 25.
Working to obtain the education grant along with Morrison were Faculty Director Jennifer Rodecki Holmes, Director of Grants and Sponsored Research Kristin Smith, Chair of the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies Trish Arter, and Senior Associate to the Dean and Professor Lisa Johnson.
For more information, please contact Morrison at morrisonr@winthrop.edu.
