CAA Supports Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Reach Their Full Potential
“My mind is my best asset” states Sam Headley, one of CAA’s new workforce development apprentices. This statement epitomizes the work of supporting incredible adults with intellectual disabilities at College of Adaptive Arts for the past 15 years. Sam represents one of 229 lifelong learners this winter/spring semester 2024 who are so eager to learn, grow, and contribute to the community in ways they know can be so impactful for themselves and the community.
College of Adaptive Arts is immensely grateful for the national, state, regional, county and local recognition the co-founders have received over the past 2 years, including CNN Heroes and the AARP Purpose Prize.
College of Adaptive Arts’ mission is to provide an equitable, lifelong collegiate experience to adults with disabilities who historically have not had access to college education. The vision is to partner with every campus of higher learning around the world to build a global infrastructure of lifelong learning collegiate opportunities for adults who have been historically sidelined after high school.
Adults with special needs get the opportunity to choose from one of 72 course offerings from 10 distinct schools at the college around their interests and passions. No tests, no papers to write, homework is optional. They receive diplomas just like they watch their siblings/cousins/friends achieve. After they graduate, they are welcome to re-enroll for strive for another degree as long as they have an interest.
College of Adaptive Arts recruits individuals of all abilities to be the professors of the college. No formal education or teaching certification required. If you have a trade/skill you would like to teach, and you treat the CAA college students with respect and integrity, you are eligible to be a professor of this college.
We invite you to take a student-led tour to experience this innovative and vibrant college model for yourself. College of Adaptive Arts is 15 years strong in 2024, and we vow to keep going until we’ve established an Inclusive Collegiate Partnership with every campus of higher learning around the world.