For many people with developmental disabilities, going to college seems like it might just be out of the picture. Ready For Life makes sure that is not the case.
Ready For Life is a nonprofit based out of Grand Rapids that provides enrichment and educational programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as autism spectrum disorders.
They partner with colleges and universities to develop an inclusive post-secondary transition program for students who have the desire to go to college and also have intellectual or developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disorders.
Ready For Life started partnering with Ferris State in 2021, after being delayed by COVID-19 and they started out with only 10 students. From there, they have grown exponentially to become a robust program within Ferris State’s campus.
One of the program’s goals for its students is to help prepare them for paid employment and independent living. They also aim for interaction and involvement, a lifelong learning model based on student goals. One way they do this is with volunteer job opportunities, on campus and in the community.
Ready For Life’s learning plan describes that each student begins their program by building a student-centered learning plan to develop realistic learning objectives and identify areas of natural talent to be further developed.
The executive director of Ready For Life, Toni Falk, spoke about the grant they received.
“It was because Ferris agreed to partner on writing the grant that we were able to secure it,” Falk said. “The tips and grant meant to help inclusive post-secondary education programs help transition to a sustainable program within the university. We are solely a tuition-based program to provide services for these students; the tips and grant alongside it will open the door for limited FAFSA funding, which is huge for our students.”
Currently, Ready For Life is sitting around 13 students, and the program has goals to increase capacity to 20 within the next two years.
In the fall semester, they have secured six new students but their goal is to reach 20 and being able to maintain and sustain the program at 20 students.
Falk spoke about Ferris and how inclusive the school is for Ready For Life.
“We are very proud to be partnered with Ferris,” Falk said. “They are a very inclusive school that believes that learning is for everyone, and that aligns with our mission. So it has been a very natural partnership, one that’s been very appreciated and really has become what I believe to be the model for inclusive education on college campuses.”
Outside of the grant, Ready For Life participates in One Day for Dawgs, which is the crowdfunding day for organizations and programs across Ferris. Those funds are earmarked to promote inclusive activities across campus for Ferris students to interact and connect with other Ferris students in the Ready For Life Academy.
Department chair of Interdisciplinary Studies and associate professor, Kristin Conley spoke about the importance of the Ready For Life program.
“I think that it is such a wonderful program for the students to be able to live on campus, and really integrate right into the campus life,” Conley said. “Such as working, taking courses, joining clubs, and participating in campus life right alongside other students. It is such a wonderful opportunity, and it really supports their life after college.”
The Ferris State One Day for Dawgs is set to be on April 8, and the Ready For Life Academy will be one of the programs looking to raise funds.