The Purpose of Project Access

The purpose of Project Access is to improve the delivery and outcomes of postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Project Access is designed to significantly facilitate the transition of high school students with disabilities into postsecondary education, to increase the success rate and retention of freshman students with disabilities at Howard Community College, and to improve career counseling and job placement services for students with disabilities.

Benefits

Project Access will improve the transition of students with disabilities into college and the workplace. This will be accomplished through:

• Improved academic preparedness for college.
• More complete information about the college admission process for students with disabilities.
• More complete information about college services available to students with disabilities.
• Instruction concerning accommodations and the use of assistive technology.
• Complete academic assessments that would enable the college to better determine appropriate accommodation.
• Improved understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws that protect the rights of students with disabilities to equal access in education and employment.
• In-depth assistance in job placement and training in negotiating workplace accommodations with employers.

Goals

• To improve student's potential for successful postsecondary experiences.

This goal will be accomplished through the Project Access Summer Institute, social events on the Howard Community College campus, an annual college fair for students with disabilities, and in-service training to Howard County counselors and special educators.

• To accommodate diverse learning styles in a range of academic settings.

This goal will be accomplished through providing staff development and ongoing support and consultation to college faculty, staff and students. A study skills course developed in accordance with the unique learning styles of students with disabilities will be offered. Additional education assessment will also be provided.

• To transfer student accommodations to the employment setting.

This goal will be achieved through the development of an assistive technology lab to train students and area employers in the provision of reasonable accommodations through computer technology. Students with disabilities will receive counseling on the best strategies for developing a workplace accommodations plan. Howard Community College's job placement services will be revamped to better service students with disabilities.

• Click here for information on assistive technology

Project Access Events

       Throughout the school year Project Access sponsors events for students, parents, or professionals.  

• Click here for information about the 11th Annual Conference for Parents and Professionals
• Click here for information about  Project Access Summer Institute