ACI 2017 Applications Now Open!

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is now accepting applications for the 2017 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Summer Leadership Academy! The ACI Summer Leadership Academy prepares autistic students to do disability advocacy at their colleges. Accepted students will travel to Washington, DC and participate in advocacy training from June 10th to June 17th, 2017. ACI participants learn about making student groups, understanding disability policy, and talking to people in the government. ASAN pays for travel and rooms for all Academy students.

Applicants must be on the Autism Spectrum and be college students with at least one year left before graduating. Students in TPSID programs (Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities), 2-year community colleges, 4-year colleges, and graduate schools can apply. We especially want you to apply if you are:
-a student of color
-LGBT
-low-income or on SSI
-a student with an intellectual disability
-an AAC user

To apply, please send a finished application by Sunday, February 19th, 2017 to Reid Caplan at rcaplan@autisticadvocacy.org. Applications available at: http://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ACI-2016-Flyer.pdf

If you need help filling out the application, or have any questions about ACI, please email Reid Caplan at rcaplan@autisticadvocacy.org

College Steps/NOVA Annandale & Loudoun Information Night

Dear Friends and Families,

On behalf of College Steps and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), we’re delighted to inform you that we will be holding an information night for the College Steps program on Thursday, February 9th 2017 at 5:30 pm at NOVA Annandale's Campus in the Brault Building Room 321. College Steps is a non-profit organization that partners with NOVA to provide college support for individuals living with social or learning challenges (e.g., learning disabilities, autism, developmental, or intellectual disabilities).

Come learn about the exciting new opportunities that College Steps and NOVA will be offering at the NOVA Loudoun and Annandale campuses in the coming months. We recognize that for many students, the transition between high school and college is challenging and can often feel intimidating. Therefore, College Steps offers both (1) a transition to college program for high school seniors as well as (2) an individualized support program for college students at NOVA Loudoun and NOVA Annandale.

What: College Steps / NOVA Annandale & Loudoun Information Night

When: Thursday, February 9th 2017 at 5:30 pm - 7pm

Where: NOVA Annandale's Campus in the Brault Building Room 321

Parking: Parking is free for this event in the Brault Building's Parking lot (visitor parking passes will be provided at check-in)

The info night is a free event; however, we encourage everyone to register for the event by the COB on Friday, February 3rd. If you are unable to attend, please help us spread the word by sharing this invitation with a friend or colleague. Light refreshments will be served. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Lauren Merritt at lauren@collegesteps.org or 802-363-2785.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

College Steps

December Graduation at Lyndon

College Steps' Lyndon campus had a really lovely graduation and party on Friday. One student graduated along with five mentors. The camaraderie, excitement and sentimentality was beautiful to be a part of. t was a truly special day spent celebrating the major accomplishments of these dedicated young adults.

End of Semester Celebration at NOVA

College Steps' partner campus, NOVA, recently celebrated the end of the semester. The event included many fun activities, such as ice skating!

Time with College Steps

College Steps at SVC student, Katie Miles, recently completed her final project for the course she is taking this semester, Quest for Success: The First Year Experience. In it, she practiced success over the course of twelve or more hours.

Hear from our students!

Every year, students in College Steps achieve incredible milestones. With students representing such a wide array of backgrounds and interests, we felt it best to capture their stories on video. We know the potential College Steps can hold for those it serves - but don't take our word for it, hear it from the students that represent our organization. 

OPEN HOUSE: NOVA Loudoun and NOVA Annandale 12/7/2016

We are excited to announce the continued partnership between College Steps and Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA’s) Annandale and Loudoun campuses for fall 2017. 

JOIN US FOR OUR INFORMATIONAL OPEN HOUSES

December 7, 2016 at 5:30 pm

@ NOVA Loudoun's Campus in the LC Building in Room 311

REGISTRATION AT EVENTBRITE.COM search “College Steps”

If you missed our December 7th Open House, we will be holding a second Open House in February 2017. College Steps also welcomes the opportunity to provide you with a private tour of our partnerships at the NOVA Loudoun and Annandale campuses. 

Share Your Story about being a College Student with Autism

Wonderful article from the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/health/autism-college.html?emc=edit_tnt_20161119&nlid=52369145&tntemail0=y&_r=0

Coursework and Employment Experiences Come Together

Graduating College Steps at SVC student, Stephanie, has spent two years taking classes and working toward an employment goal to work in the field of early care and education. This semester, she engaged in a "Chemistry of Cooking" course, as it connected so well her academic and employment interests. Here is her summary for a final project for the semester:

• Your major: College Steps- this will apply to my work experience.

• Describe how you plan to apply this course to your work experience: I could use the skills I learned in this class to have the children at the daycare cook/make cookies, brownies, or the ice cream. (As long as my boss is there.)

• What the project would be: I would make the ice cream with them because it was the easiest one to make out of the recipes.

• What would be done: If I were to do this project with the kids I would have them make the pizza or the ice cream. I would begin by asking them what they think the salt and sugar does to the ice cream. After they answer, I would then show them videos (like the ones we watched) to see if their answers changed. I would finally explain to them the how salt and sugar affect the ice cream.

College Steps an Active Participant in Giving Tuesday

College Steps and Living for Giving were proud to partner with local campuses to participate in Giving Tuesday events. Some of our work was published in an article in The Rutland Herald.