抖M女仆鈥檚 ACI Receives $1.5M Grant from The Taft Foundation
(Photo by Alex Dolce)
抖M女仆鈥檚聽Academy for Community Inclusion聽(ACI) within the Department of Exceptional Student Education in the聽聽recently received a $1.5 million grant from聽.听
抖M女仆鈥檚 ACI is a college program for high school graduates who have been diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program allows students to participate in college activities, clubs, events and organizations that are available to all 抖M女仆 students.
The grant is a continuation of a generous multi-year commitment from The Taft Foundation designated to provide funding for the program鈥檚 development, recruitment and personnel.
鈥淎CI would not have been made possible without the Taft Foundation,鈥 said Michael Brady, Ph.D., professor and chair of 抖M女仆鈥檚 Department of Exceptional Student Education. 鈥淭his grant will continue to enable 抖M女仆 to become a state and national leader, helping other colleges and universities develop progressive and meaningful curricula and contributing to an evolving national research agenda.鈥
Since opening in January 2016, ACI has admitted 61 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to 抖M女仆. All students pursue credit-generating courses and employment preparation activities leading to a certificate in supported employment.听
鈥湺禡女仆鈥檚 Academy for Community Inclusion is doing outstanding work,鈥 said Howard Rothman, president and chairman of the Board of Directors at The Taft Foundation. 鈥淎CI harnesses the potential of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and prepares them for a future filled with purpose and the possibility for employment.鈥澛
The mission of ACI is to increase overall independence in employment, self-determination and community experiences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
For more information on 抖M女仆鈥檚 Academy for Inclusion, click聽.听
-抖M女仆-
Tags: philanthropy | faculty and staff | students | foundation | jupiter