DENTON (WBAP/KLIF)- Beginning with the fall 2021 semester, the University of North Texas will launch a four-year inclusive postsecondary education program for those ages 18-28 with Intellectual Disabilities, thanks to a $2 million grant from the Department of Education.
Called UNT ELEVAR, this program will be only the second of its kind in Texas and the first in North Texas. It’s particularly crucial since Texas has the second-highest population of individuals with disabilities in the U.S., and North Texas K-12 public and charter schools serve nearly 23% of the state’s students with a primary diagnosis of ID.
UNT ELEVAR will give students the option to live on campus where they can socialize with peers without disabilities, audit UNT classes across disciplines, and participate in courses on financial literacy, career development and more. In addition to soft skills, the students will participate in integrated paid or unpaid work experiences while on campus that can lead to gainful employment and help them build a pathway to a career in their chosen fields.
The program also involves mentoring programs and professional development programs with area high schools. Local district partners include Decatur, Denton, Fort Worth and Irving ISDs.
The application for the program is open. For more information and to apply, go to https://coe.unt.edu/elevar
