2020 UNH-4U Bridges

UNH-4U Bridges Fall 2020 Training Update: We have been overwhelmed with interest in the UNH-4U Bridges Fall training series and are no longer accepting applications at this time. If you are interested in future sessions, please subscribe to the UNH-4U email list. 

UNH-4U Bridges to College and Career Webinar Training Series is a 10-week virtual series is designed to prepare young adults with ID and previously eligible for the Individual Education Opportunity Act (IDEA) in pursuit of college and career with important takeaways, including self-discovery, occupational/academic direction, advocacy, confidence with technology,  social connections, and furtherance of college and career plans. Each of these takeaways informs futures planning for both student and program offerings. Beginning in the Fall of 2020, UNH-4U will host, for the first time, UNH-4U Bridges: An Online Training Series Toward College and Career. UNH-4U Bridges prepares young adults for higher education, independent living, and careers through three, 10-week virtual trainings:

Successful completion of one, two, or all three of these preparatory trainings will promote participants’ self-awareness, employment/academic direction, advocacy, technology and personal computing skills, knowledge of resources, and enhance social connections. Each training will occur remotely via Zoom for a 10-week period.  All materials will be provided. Each participant will be assigned a Mentor. Participants will connect and collaborate related to shared interests and training content. Most of these connections will take part outside of regular training sessions based on schedule availability.

ELIGIBILITY

The UNH-4U Bridges trainings are open to students age 18-24 with intellectual disabilities who are currently or were previously eligible for special education and related services under IDEA. For all applicants, including students with autism or traumatic brain injury that may also be considered ID, UNH-4U Bridges will require documentation (such as their most recent IEP, psychological or educational evaluations, or diagnostic documentation) that the student has an ID, and is/was eligible to receive special education services. Space is limited. Upon receipt of the application, UNH-4U staff will contact the applicant to conduct a remote interview (telephone, Zoom, Skype, etc.) and request further information if necessary. The UNH-4U Bridges selection process will determine the final roster for each of the three trainings. Among the considerations for fit include the following:

  • Access to high-speed internet and computer hardware to access the virtual learning environment
  • Access to the internet and course material
  • Schedule availability to attend the live training sessions
  • Schedule availability to connect with Mentors and training instructors
  • Schedule availability and support (if needed) to complete assignments.

The UNH-4U Bridges application asks for demographic information, educational background, support needs, volunteer or work experiences, extracurricular interests, as well as student-generated goals and aspirations for college and beyond. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to complete and submit this application as soon as possible since space is limited. 

There is no direct cost to register for the UNH-Bridges fall webinar series due to generous support from our partners and donors at NH Vocational Rehabilitation, NH Council on Developmental Disabilities and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Costs may apply for the Spring webinar series.

Required Technology

The following technology is required for participation. If you are unsure if your technology meets the requirements of the program, staff will review this with you in your follow-up interview.

  • A computer with one of the following: 

    • PC with 8GB of RAM

    • Mac with 8GB of RAM

    • Chromebook with 4GB of RAM

  • A computer camera

  • A computer speaker to hear others (most computers have this built-in)

  • A computer microphone

  • Chargers for all equipment

  • Internet Service 

  • An email address and access to the email address

  • Technical assistance for other technology needs, such as downloading Zoom, will be provided, as needed, by UNH-4U Bridges staff.  

Virtual Training Information

Navigating Academic Technology and Resources

Tuesdays, October 6, 2020 – December 8, 2020 | 10:00am – 11:20am

Participants will explore remote academic course platforms such as Canvas and Zoom. They will also examine typical academic support services available in the higher education environment. Participants will establish a base knowledge of skills to prepare them for navigating common software used in a higher education environment. This will be accomplished through remote, hands-on practice, guest presentations, video instruction, small group learning, and collaboration. Training will be conducted remotely. Mentor connections may occur outside of the live training sessions.

Setting and Realizing Goals Using Person-Centered Planning and Assistive Technology

Mondays (whole group) and Wednesdays (small group and individual meetings), October 5, 2020 – December 9, 2020 | 1:00pm-2:20pm 1:00-2:20 

Participants will collaborate with Peer Mentors and discover strategies for setting and realizing goals after high school in a college or career setting. Person-centered planning will be introduced as a strategy for goal setting, identifying support needs, and exploring the role assistive technology can play in reaching goals. Participants will experiment with person-centered planning strategies related to the topics of employment and career planning, education and training, social development, community living, civic engagement, and health and wellness. Education and assistive technology will be explored to assess the connections they may have to your future. Training will be conducted remotely. Mentor connections may occur outside of the live training sessions.

Healthy and Social Aspects of College Life

Thursdays, October 1, 2020 – December 10, 2020 | 1:00pm-2:20pm

Participants will explore health and wellness as it relates to a healthy and productive college experience. Areas of exploration include creating your study sanctuary, time management, healthy living, social opportunities and relationships, and community resources. Participants will incorporate these ideas into their own lives through hands-on practice, guest presentations, video instruction, small group learning, and collaboration. Training will be conducted remotely. Mentor connections may occur outside of the live training sessions.