Adult Continuing Education
The IFAC Committee of the RIDDC works on several projects and
initiatives that help to implement the current RIDDC 5-year Plan.
One of these is to promote awareness of inclusion opportunities in Adult Continuing Education programs, because we believe that people who have opportunities to learn about new things and who are curious and involved in the world around them will have a better quality of life.
The IFAC works with the to increase awareness of inclusion in community-based adult education programs. We are locating and finding out about models of adult continuing education programs for personal development that meets the needs of people with all abilities, with emphasis on courses that provide better preparation for employment.
In 2009-2010, IFAC committee members and RIDDC staff met with small groups of adult educators and a new organization - (STAND). Both of these groups are interested in promoting adult education learning opportunities for people with learning disabilities. STAND is comprised of adult learners who are focused in promoting adult education learning opportunities for adult learners of all abilities. to find out about an adult education program near you.
Together we are working to change the Adult Education system by increasing the amount of professional development that adult educators have about accommodating adults with learning and intellectual disabilities in their classrooms. The Professional Development Center also concentrates on employment through one of its programs called . There are new adult education and workforce development cooperation requirements in recent federal/state grant opportunities. The IFAC committee will monitor these grants and support inclusion in new programs through self-advocacy and providing information to policy-makers, adult educators and adult students of all abilities. We are exploring hosting a summit focused on Adult Lifelong Learners with Learning Disabilities, for the Fall of 2010.
