Author: Tina Calabro

Recently, I wrote an article about “inclusive higher ed” programs for Public Source, a digital publication that covers the Pittsburgh region. The focus of the article is Colton Vazquez, a senior at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, who has decided to attend the “Rock Life” program at Slippery Rock University.

I first heard about Colton’s college aspirations last year when his mother, Candy Vazquez, posted on Facebook about their visits to Slippery Rock, Millersville and E. Stroudsburg in Pennsylvania, as well as Western Carolina and the University of Central Florida. Having taken my son, Mark, to see  Millersville’s inclusive program last year as well, I was curious about Colton’s journey.

The number of inclusive higher ed programs is growing in Pennsylvania. There are now ten (see complete list in article). A decade ago, there were two. Each program is a little different from the others. Most are defined as non-degree programs for students with intellectual or developmental disability. The Think College website is the national resource for these programs. In Pennsylvania, the Dream Partnership and PA Inclusive Higher Education Consortium are the go-to’s for info.

Continue reading ““Inclusive Higher Ed” programs opening doors to young adults with intellectual and developmental disability”

We spend hours together every day and, yet, how much do we know about how our 22-year-old son thinks about his life and what he wants for his future?

After more than two decades of parenting, have the lines blurred between what we want for our son and what he wants for himself? Are we ready to wholeheartedly support his vision?

These are the questions I have been asking myself — and the reason I asked the PA Family Network to offer a local workshop on LifeCourse tools.
Continue reading “Carving out time to listen our son’s vision for his life”

As parents of a young adult with significant disabilities, one question is never far from our minds: What will our son’s life be like when we are gone or simply unable to participate in his care?

A little about our son:

Mark is 22 and has cerebral palsy. He has many abilities as well as disabilities and medical conditions that require one-on-one support. My husband and I — both of us in our 60s — are the primary caregivers. Habilitation aides and nurses also provide support several hours a week.

Continue reading “Facing the Big Question: How will our son fare when we are no longer around? How to find help — and some measure of control”