The FAU Academy for Community Inclusion is a program for individuals who have graduated from high school who had been diagnosed with developmental disabilities. The program will allow these students to earn certificates in supported employment, supported community access, and supported academics. These certificates will be offered in an inclusive environment on the Jupiter campus of FAU. The progr
am will allow students to participate in college activities and programs as any college student would while they attend FAU. Students will have the opportunity to take classes to increase their employment readiness. These classes will include both volunteer as well as paid experiences. The Work opportunities will be supported by job coaches who will support not only the students, but will provide the employers with support as they reach out to this population of workers. The supported community access classes will help students develop skills that will increase their mobility in the community, increasing their daily living skills, and increasing lifelong leisure options. The plan for the program is to implement a residential component for the Academy student to live on campus; however this part of the program will be developed in years two and three of the project. Applications for the inaugural FAU Academy class are currently available at the ACI website with a deadline for applications of November first, 2015. The fifteen students who will make up the first class in the Owls Academy will begin taking classes in January, 2016.
