The R.E.A.C.H.  (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes) program is starting during the fall semester to serve mild to moderately intellectually disabled students at the College.
The College Transition Connection (CTC) is funding development of the program with financial support from the state of South Carolina.
The four-year inclusive program is designed to provide students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in the academic, residential, social and professional experiences offered by the College, with appropriate support for success, according to its Web site. Earlier in the planning process R.E.A.C.H. was called LIFE.
The program is looking for traditional students to live in a historic house with the R.E.A.C.H. students in a living and learning community. Traditional students can learn more about R.E.A.C.H. students and the benefits and challenges that are faced by individuals who live with a disability, according to the Web site.
The director of the R.E.A.C.H. program, Edie Cusack, has dedicated her life to working with students who have intellectual disabilities. She has taught special education for 18 years and worked with students of all ages.
“The reason I believe in this program so much is because I taught students in a self-contained situation that were isolated and I have also taught students who were included. The difference in their academic growth and social growth was outstanding when they were included with their peers,” Cusack said.
The R.E.A.C.H. house will have 16 residents: one Residence Advisor, one graduate advisor, six R.E.A.C.H. students and eight traditional C of C students.
“We are looking for students that will help the R.E.A.C.H. students flourish both academically and socially,” Cusack said.
R.E.A.C.H. students are academically disabled and mentors will help them with classes.
“Everybody in the R.E.A.C.H. program will have intellectual disabilities and there is a delay in their academic development,” Cusack said. “The R.E.A.C.H. students are functional academically. In order for the students to be successful they will take two typical college courses, have supplemental support courses and have a peer mentor.”
Cusack will be teaching the support courses, which will focus on career awareness and college life, as well as providing academic help. The R.E.A.C.H. students will also participate in internships during their sophomore year.
Sophomore Michele Greco said she supports the program.
“I am happy that the College is starting a program for students with learning disabilities. I look forward to meeting them next year,” Greco said.
The CTC estimated that as many as 2,500 students in South Carolina qualify for the program. According to the 2004 report of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, in 2002 around 90 percent of adults with intellectual disabilities were not employed. However, recent research has shown that transition and postsecondary programs such as R.E.A.C.H. lead to significant improvements in employment, independence and community participation.
      The  R.E.A.C.H. program offers an opportunity for the College to provide extensive credit and non-credit programs to students whose quality of life and opportunities to contribute to society hinge on access to educational opportunities, according to its Web site.