MVC Disability Support Services Makes College Accessible

MORENO VALLEY>> Students in the WorkAbility program learned that having a physical, mental or learning challenge does not have to be an insurmountable obstacle to going to college. Moreno Valley College offers students Disability Support Services, the department whose purpose is helping students overcome barriers to attending and succeeding at college. Evelyn Marquez, DSS Counselor, made the rounds to all the high schools’ WorkAbility classes to explain how DSS can help. According to the Moreno Valley Unified School District, transition services are a purposeful, organized, and outcome oriented process designed to help students move from school, to employment and a quality adult life. Expected student outcomes include post-secondary education or training, meaningful employment and participation in the community. The Moreno Valley Unified School District states the district sees transition as an important component of the educational process for students who are in special education. The process of transitioning students from high school begins during middle school or when the student moves from middle school to high school. Appropriate courses of study support the student’s post high school goals. A transition plan is developed and then updated annually for each student. The plan addresses education/training plans, living arrangements and leisure activities in which the student will engage. The mission of the Moreno Valley Unified School District is to ensure all students graduate high school prepared to successfully enter into higher education and/or pursue a viable career path. The vision of the Moreno Valley Unified School District for a Transition Program includes a partnership of students, parents, staff and community. The program recognizes and values excellence, individuality, diversity and creativity, the website states. "The district is committed to the intellectual achievement, the emotional and social growth and the aesthetic development of each student," the MVUSD website states. "MVUSD is dedicated to graduating students who are self-starters, technologically competent workers, life-long learners, responsible citizens and cooperative, effective communicators. For students receiving a certificate of completion, the district’s goal is to assist the development of functional academic and vocational skills that can transfer to an adult work program or day activity program." [END[]