Keuka College and the Penn Yan Central School District received the Yates County Chapter of NYSARC Inc. Community Partnership Award at the recent Yates ARC membership dinner.
NYSARC Inc. is the largest, not-for-profit organization serving individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families. Its Community Partnership Award recognizes an organization, business or individual that has contributed resources and/or opportunities to the ARC that furthers the integration of people with disabilities within the community.
The College and school district were recognized for the D.R.I.V.E. (diversity, responsibility, inclusion, vision, and experiential education) program.
D.R.I.V.E. is an individualized special education program that allows students with developmental disabilities to leave their high school with their graduating peers, and continue their education in an integrated collegiate environment.
“In creating this program, it was our vision to have students from all walks of life and with all levels of ability exploring their personal goals and dreams for the future together in an inclusive and supportive educational environment—an environment where students with disabilities can embrace their abilities and contribute alongside their peers without disabilities,” said Heather Bond, transition coordinator for the Yates County ARC.
The program is funded by the Penn Yan Central School District, administered and coordinated by Yates ARC, and located on the Keuka College campus. Keuka students (sophomores, juniors and seniors who are in human services-related majors—psychology, occupational therapy, education and social work) serve as peer mentors to the young adults with developmental disabilities as they assimilate into the college environment and explore their personal goals for the future.
Bond nominated the College and school district for the award.
“Keuka College has generously provided many in-kind supports that have been vital to our students’ successful integration into campus life,” wrote Bond in her nomination. “Each D.R.I.V.E. student is given a Keuka ID that allows him/her to take materials out of the library, and to use the dining and athletic facilities on campus.
“Our students also have Keuka College e-mail addresses that ensure that they receive all the daily student communications for after-hours activities, as well as any communications from their classmates/professors about their coursework,” added Bond. “The audit fees for college courses have been waived and our students sit in on college classes as guests.”
“This program offers a unique opportunity where the entire campus is involved with the program, including students, faculty, administration, student affairs, and our food service operations,” said Anne Marie Guthrie, dean of the Center for Experiential Learning. “This program connects directly with our mission of experiential learning and allows the opportunity for both the D.R.I.V.E. students and the Keuka College students to learn from each other and gain valuable experience and knowledge.”
