Increasing Access to College Project
The Increasing Access to College (IAC) project strives to expand higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disability. The IAC project started at Montclair State University in 2015. IAC project participants partner with university students to go to classes, events, and socialize on campus. Hundreds of young adults and Montclair State University student volunteers have worked together to learn about college and campus life.
Our goal is to build a campus and society that is more inclusive of disability and disabled people. We believe that diversity of identity and experience adds value to the campus community and that college learning should be welcoming and accessible to all who desire it.
Our Programs
The IAC project partners with schools that would like to provide a college experience for students who are in transition programs. Our low-cost programs are ideal for students with intellectual disability who are interested in learning about college but are less likely to apply to traditional degree programs. We offer experiential learning opportunities to assist students to make informed decisions about whether they would like to apply to college in the future.
Campus Orientation Program
The campus orientation program is for first-time IAC participants. Participants in this program attend an inclusive course with Montclair State University undergraduate students (peers) who are studying to be teachers. They spend one class session per week in class together learning about the campus and college life by actively engaging in campus activities with their peers. They work together to develop a learning profile and digital portfolio. IAC participants benefit by learning about the campus and what college has to offer and Montclair students benefit by learning how to create a learning profile. This program is ideal for students who are looking for a structured, supported, and group-based opportunity to learn about what college may have to offer them.
IAC Fellowship Program
The IAC fellowship program is for students who want an in-depth college experience for one year (fall & spring semesters). Students select one college course to audit each semester. Audit means that students attend all classes and complete assignments to their comfort level. There is no final grade, no transcript, and no credits are earned, which allows for a low-stakes college experience. Students receive an ID card and university email, which provides access to campus facilities and activities. Peer partners may be requested to serve as companions and mentors in academic, social, and recreational experiences based on the student's self-determined schedule.
This program is ideal for students who have some knowledge about college and are interested in having an academic experience in a low-stakes situation.
How to Apply
IAC project programs are for students who are 18-21 years old and are offered only in collaboration with transition programming, support staff, transportation, and billing services that are provided by a school. Applications are processed once per year in March to start the program in the next Fall semester. We welcome school-based transition personnel or case managers to contact us to learn more about becoming a partner. We recommend that prospective school partners contact us by January to plan for the next school year. Please send an email to: IACproject@montclair.edu.
Opportunities to Volunteer for Montclair State University Students
Undergraduate and graduate students at Montclair State University can participate in service and community engaged learning with the IAC project. Service with the IAC project is a semester-long commitment that follows a regular weekly schedule. We operate Monday through Friday and there are opportunities for volunteering for as few as one hour to as many as ten hours per week. Undergraduate students can also register for the course, CGST 250: Campus Collaborative, to earn course credit through experiential learning with the IAC project. Students or course instructors interested in learning more about community engaged teaching and learning and service opportunities can send an email to IACproject@montclair.edu.
Contact Us!
If you have questions, please reach out to us at IACproject@montclair.edu