NYIT Vocational Independence Program Receives $25,000 Brian & Patricia Kelly Grant/ Autism Speaks

Five $5000 awards will support individual students pursuing educational and vocational training
By: NYIT/VIP
 
ISLIP, N.Y. - March 15, 2015 - PRLog -- The Autism Speaks Family Services Committee announced that it will award a $25,000 Brian & Patricia Kelly Scholarship grant to the New York Institute of Technology to support five individual students pursuing the NYIT Vocational Independence Program (VIP). This award is part of the Autism Speaks Family Services Committee’s 2nd annual Brian and Patricia Kelly Postsecondary Scholarship Fund.

Each individual $5,000 grant will be awarded to a student who is enrolled at NYIT/VIP for the Fall 2015 semester. The Vocational Independence Program is one of the oldest residential, university-based, post-secondary transition training curriculum in the United States for students with autism, and the program is designed to prepare students for either post-graduation employment or additional post-secondary education.

“We are very excited to have been chosen as a recipient of Brian & Patricia Kelly Scholarship grant. As a U.S. Department of Education approved Comprehensive Transition and Post-secondary (CTP) program, we know how important not only job training is to the future success of individuals on the autism spectrum, but we also know that independent living and social skills training are equally important in promoting the employment of our students,” Associate Dean and Executive Director Ernst Vanbergeijk said of receiving the grant. “With the Brian & Patricia Kelly Scholarship grant from Autism Speaks, the dream of employment at a living wage is now one step closer for a number of our students."

Students in the Vocational Independence Program complete the core requirements and their choice of three specialized tracks; VIP Program, Pre Degree Program or Associate Degree Support Program. Upon graduation, they are well-prepared to live independently. In addition to their academic and vocational training, the NYIT/VIP curriculum includes training in urban living, navigating public transportation, entering the job market, and participating in social and fitness activities.

The NYIT reports that the most common barrier to student success in the Vocational Independence Program is financial feasibility - these five scholarships made possible by the Autism Speaks Family Services Committee will directly contribute to the costs of tuition, room and board, and other costs related to attendance.

About the Autism Speaks Family Services Committee

The committee is part of Autism Speaks, a larger advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness and funds to combat the effects of the disorder. The committee’s mission is to empower families and individuals impacted by autism to make informed decisions that maximize the quality of life and development potential of affected individuals.

For more information on NYIT/VIP programs and to schedule a tour or attend an Open House, log onto our website www.nyit.edu/vip  or call  631.348.3139.

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Tags:Autism, Post-secondary Education, Nyit, College, Learning Disabilites
Industry:Education
Location:Islip - New York - United States
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