Nine students in CDS’s Career and Life Certificate (CLSC) program put their self-advocacy skills into practice by promoting the program at Delaware’s 16th annual Transition and Self Determination Conference. The theme of the conference, which was held in Dover on Dec. 5, was “Shared Work, Shared Vision.”

According to Jay Sellers, CLSC program manager, small groups of CLSC students gave a 40-minute “speed dating” presentation before multiple tables of high schoolers and their families, explaining aspects of the program and answering questions. CLSC staff Melanie Sipko and Wes Garton also offered support.

The “format enabled CLSC students to serve as ambassadors of the program while modeling the self-advocacy techniques they have been developing,” Sellers says.

CLSC, a two-year postsecondary course of study, enables young adults with intellectual disabilities to explore academic and career opportunities while building life skills and interacting with University of Delaware campus social life.