FAQs

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These are answers to some of the questions people ask most often about the Bridges Training Series.

The Bridges Training Series is an online program run by the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Bridges prepares young adults aged 18-24 with intellectual disabilities for careers, higher education, and independent living.

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The Bridges Training Series is for young adults who:

  • Are 18-24 years old
  • Have an intellectual disability (ID) or another similar disability like a developmental disability, autism, or traumatic brain injury
  • Have received or used to receive services under IDEA, such as an IEP or 504 plan

Bridges offers four virtual trainings:

Tools for Academic Success

  • Learn about computer programs used in college and many workplaces, including Zoom and Microsoft Office.
  • Learn about assistive technology that can help you reach your education and career goals.

Setting and Realizing Goals Using Person-Centered Planning

  • Set goals for life after high school.
  • Learn about person-centered planning.
  • Learn to problem solve and advocate to reach your goals.

Healthy and Social Aspects of Life

  • Learn about different parts of being a healthy and well adult, including social well-being, spiritual well-being, financial well-being, and well-being at work.

Next Steps in Person-Centered Planning

  • Make a plan for career and employment OR college.
  • Identify next steps for your goals.
  • Learn about and identify the people and resources who will help you reach your goals.

Each training will meet virtually on Zoom.

Yes.

  • The first course is Tools for Academic Success.
  • After you take Tools for Academic Success you can take the next two classes in any order. Those classes are:
    • Setting and Realizing Goals Using Person-Centered Planning
    • Healthy and Social Aspects of Life
  • The last class is Next Steps in Person-Centered Planning. You can pick Next Steps for Career and Employment or Next Steps for College.

Click Available Trainings to see the current schedule.

Each Bridges training is $595.

If you are working with New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation, they might pay for this training series. Your school district or area agency might also pay for some of the training series costs. More details about cost will be shared after you apply.

If you have any questions about payment, please contact us at IOD.Bridges@unh.edu.

These trainings will help increase your skills in:

  • self-awareness
  • employment and academic direction
  • advocacy
  • technology and personal computing
  • knowledge of resources
  • making social connections

You will earn a Digital Badge through UNH after you complete each Bridges training. Digital Badges are a form of “micro-credential” that prove that you learned specific skills and knowledge through your training and learning experiences.

You can list your Digital Badges on your resume to show people who want to hire you what you learned in the Bridges trainings.

If you complete all four Bridges trainings, you will also receive a “Master Badge” that shows that you have completed the entire Bridges Training Program.

You will attend class on Zoom to share your ideas and listen to presentations by the instructors.

For each class session, you will spend about 2 hours on work outside of class to review course materials, practice new skills, and submit assignments.

We are here to help you learn! Please let us know about the supports you need when you apply.  We will do our best to help you get the supports you need, but there might be some supports we can’t give you. Email us at IOD.Bridges@unh.edu if you have any questions about supports.

To figure out the supports you might need, think about what supports you have now that could help you with homework and class participation. For example, if you are a high school student, a paraprofessional may be available to help you. If you are out of school, you may want to ask a parent, friend, or family member to help you.

Anyone who signs up for any of the Bridges trainings must have access to their own laptop or be able to add software to a shared family computer in order to make sure they can fully participate in the Training Series.

You will need the following technology in order to best participate in the Training Series:

  • Computer with one of the following:
    • PC with 8GB of RAM
    • Mac with 8GB of RAM
    • Chromebooks and cellphones cannot be used to attend the Training Series
  • Computer camera (most laptops have this built in)
  • Computer speaker to hear others (most laptops have this built in)
  • Computer microphone (most laptops have this built in)
  • Chargers for all equipment
  • Active personal email address
  • Access to high-speed internet

Bridges staff will help you with other technology needs, such as downloading Zoom. If you don’t know if your technology will work for Bridges, you can ask during the application interview.

Phones and tablets are not a good choice for attending class or doing homework, but they are fine for accessing Assistive Technology to help you in class.

For more information about technology requirements, please contact Bridges Training Series staff at IOD.Bridges@unh.edu.

You can complete an application online. After you fill out the application, Bridges staff will contact you for an interview.