Last Friday at CDS, Hannah Craighton and Catherine Lin detailed the ways they grew while living on campus to an audience of people with disabilities, family members, educators and other community members. Their opportunity to live in UD residence halls came through CDS’s Career and Life Studies Certificate (CLSC) program, a two-year postsecondary course of study for students with intellectual disabilities.

The session was the latest in CDS’s Lunchtime Learning series, public events that address issues in the disability community.

Craighton, a CLSC graduate, and Lin, a current student, were joined by CLSC staff and a CLSC mentor, who described how the two-year-old residential program enhanced students’ opportunities to develop life strategies, engage with UD social life, continue their academic studies and begin career preparation.

Craigthton said one of the reasons she chose to live on campus was to be more social, which she accomplished by joining clubs such as Best Buddies and Going Social. She also honed her independent living skills, managing her schedule so she finished her homework, did the laundry and arrived on time to her YMCA internship.

Lin echoed Craighton, saying that she entered the residential program to practice living independently and improve her social skills. She said she is relishing the freedom to make meal choices and set her own bedtime. While she reported occasionally feeling homesick, she also mentioned enjoying activities such as the weekly Yes U Can swim night.

When an audience member asked what Lin would tell a high school graduate considering the CLSC residential program, she replied, “Do it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Explore as much as you can.”