The objective of Access to Success is to improve the capacity of postsecondary institutions to reach out to and serve students with disabilities and to improve the potential for successful outcomes for these students. Santa Fe Community College, a public two-year postsecondary institution, serves close to 10,000 credit, Community Services, and non-credit Adult Basic Education students each year.

Though the college attracts many students, a significant, innovative program including outreach, academic support and assistance with job placement is necessary to attract and retain this underserved and diverse population.

The following elements will be provided through the grant:

• Identification and recruitment of Native American, Hispanic American, and other minority students with disabilities. Outreach activities will be provided by peer liaisons and will focus on reaching students in Native American communities.
• Comprehensive transitioning services to assist minority secondary students and other adults with disabilities to enter higher education.
• Adaptive technology and other services needed for educational and career planning.
• Academic assistants and other classroom and testing accommodations.
• In-service training for faculty, staff, and administrators in disability culture, learning accommodations, and other areas.
• Collaborative service planning with community agencies to assure successful employment outcomes and to assist with housing and transportation referrals.
• Production of detailed procedures and materials that would allow for replication/adaptation of the model to other postsecondary institutions.

The anticipated outcomes of these activities are the following:

• Greater numbers of minority students with disabilities entering postsecondary education.
• Greater numbers of minority students with disabilities successfully reaching their educational and career goals.
• Increased capacity to serve students with disabilities resulting from heightened awareness and attitudinal changes.