Project Connect is designed to provide a systematic and comprehensive program of training and services for postsecondary faculty, staff, tutors, and students with disabilities to improve accessibility to educational programs, to increase awareness of career options, and to increase retention and graduation rates for individuals wlith disabilities.

In addition, Project Connect is designed to provide outreach activities to secondary school personnel, parents, Upward Bound and Talent Search (TRIO) personnel regarding available opportunities at the postsecondary level and preparation needed for individuals with disabilities as an integral part of the transition process from high school to higher education.

There are many factors which contribute to limited success for individuals with disabilities at the postsecondary level. Some of these factors are:

• lack of awareness on the part of professors, staff, tutors regarding the range of educational adjustments, modified instructional strategies and employment opportunities available for individuals with disabilities;
• limited experience by postsecondary faculty in dealing with the diverse learning styles presented by individuals with disabilities;
• lack of awareness on the part of secondary school personnel, parents, employers regarding the opportunities available at the postsecondary level;
• lack of knowledge about assistive technology, its educational uses, and employment adaptability,
• lack of comprehensive and coordinated academic services for this population.

Project Connect will bring together the Disability Services Program, 504/ADA Coordinator, the HSU Student Support Services Program, Arkansas Vocational Rehabilitation personnel, Increasing Capabilities Access Network (ICAN), the HSU Career Center, and selected faculty representatives to provide a comprehensive training and outreach program to:

• provide comprehensive training and development at the postsecondary level for faculty, staff, and tutors, in diverse learning styles, modification of instructional strategies and the classroom enviornment, academic adjustments, educational and employment uses of assistive technology, legal issues, career opportunities, historical perspective, and other disability awareness concerns,
• develop and provide workshops for students with disabilities on leadership skills, self-identification of disability related needs, self-advocacy, educational and employment uses of assistive technology, careeer opportunities, legal issues, cultural diversity, historical perspective, and other concerns,
• provide information and outreach activities for secondary school personnel, parents, and TRIO personnel regarding the range of postsecondary opportunities available for individuals with disabilities and preparation needed with an emphasis on the needs of minority populations,
• develop a model program creating a center for disability information and resources, establishment of a manual for educators and service providers, and improved communications between postsecondary institutions and the general public with replication of these findings and dissemination of information through presentations and publication.

HSU has available facilities, professional staff and resources needed to carry out Project Connect for improving the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of individuals with disabilities at the postsecondary level. Project staff and support personnel will be experienced in providing disability services, needs assessment, management, education methodology and interpersonal communication.

Major expected outcomes include: a significant increase in proficiency of faculty, staff and tutors in accommodating diverse learnaing styles; increased involvement in the educational and employment process by individuals with disabilities, increased awareness of educational and employment uses for assistive technology by project participants; improved communication with secondary school personnel, parents, and TRIO personnel regarding the range of postsecondary opportunities available for individuals wlith disabilities and the preparation needed in the transition process from high school to college; and widespread dissemination of Project Connect outcomes and activities that will enable other schools to replicate this model project.