Special Education High School Students Learn Through Volunteering

Work is a central part of adult life, consuming as much as half of our waking hours. People often identify themselves by the work they do. A job can provide an individual with a sense of accomplishment and pride and have an enormous effect on our overall life satisfaction, or it can serve as a source of discouragement and frustration (Levinson 2005). Finding the right job can be difficult, even for highly skilled individuals. Doing so can be even more difficult for those who lack adequate training, who have underdeveloped social competencies or face special challenges such as disability.
Compared with their non-disabled peers, students with disabilities are more likely to experience unemployment or underemployment, lower pay, and job dissatisfaction (Dunn 1996). A disproportionate number of students with disabilities do not go on to experience steady, satisfying and gainful employment. Special education programs are challenged to engage and support students with disabilities by helping these students identify their strengths and interests and providing them with skills and job experiences.
Trinity Classical Academy’s Imago Dei School provides special education students with a transition pathway to gain on-the-job experience in order to prepare them for life beyond high school. Students learn and practice skills for independent living while a Lifeskills teacher arranges for job experiences. Students continue to earn credits towards graduation through volunteer work experience both on and off campus.
Some general job-related skills and abilities that students work on are:
• Clear communication
• Following multi-step written and oral instructions
• Self advocacy
• Travel skills necessary to arrive on time
• Job safety
Opportunities for volunteering off campus include community partnerships at Real Life Church, Shelter of Hope Pet Shop and Chronic Tacos. These opportunities expand students’ experiences and provide the business community with positive experiences working with skilled special needs students.
Opportunities for volunteering on Trinity’s campus include faculty mail delivery, teaching assistant, maintenance assistant and front desk host. As students rotate through volunteer opportunities on campus they are strengthening their professional relationships with faculty and staff while solidifying foundational job skills.
For most people, work is essential to a livelihood, a sense of worth and accomplishment, and overall life satisfaction. Providing real life opportunities to students with special needs is a critical step in helping them prepare for a meaningful vocation and successful life.
For more information on special education at the Imago Dei School at Trinity Classical Academy, call 661-296-2601 or visit www.TrinityClassicalAcademy.com.