Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (OPS)
The OPS project is being implemented by the Center for Community Partnerships in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University. OPS delivers a high quality and inclusive postsecondary transition program for students with intellectual disabilities (ID), providing integrated opportunities that include postsecondary education and training, academic enrichment, inclusive socialization and recreation, assistive technology, self-advocacy, independent living skill development, career exploration, integrated work experiences, and ultimately gainful employment that matches each participant’s interests and unique abilities.
Project goals include:
- Development and Implementation of a Postsecondary Transitions Trajectory for participating students, including preparation for and entry into postsecondary courses, as well as work experiences, training programs and/or internships.
- Provision of Universal Design for Learning training and technical assistance for participating secondary and postsecondary faculty, staff and administrators.
- Provision of Transition Supports for Participating Students including academic preparation and skill development, self-advocacy training, life mentoring, socialization guidance, recreation, career exploration, job development and supported employment.
- Formative and Summative Evaluation of OPS model program outcomes, including tracking and dissemination of achievements and recommendations for state and nationwide replication.
The OPS program builds upon a solid foundation of services at the CCP and operates in partnership with CSU’s Department of Occupational Therapy, Assistive Technology Resource Center, Division of Student Affairs, and Resources for Disabled Students; as well as Front Range Community College, the Poudre School District, the City of Fort Collins Adaptive Recreation Opportunities program, Foothills Gateway, Inc. and the CO Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
