Each year, high school students learn about career options in the field of developmental disabilities through volunteer internships at Summer Prep at UCP. This past summer, interns rotated among programs serving young children and adults and assisted in the programs’ daily activities. Each day for a month, these students were exposed to new career opportunities and received information about pursuing that career. As they shadowed various professionals, through their daily routines they learned about disabilities and the services available for consumers and their families. The group initiated a service project and raised enough money to host a summer barbeque/disco for UCP/NYC program participants. Those selected for Summer Prep at UCP are former volunteers at UCP or children of direct support workers.

A comprehensive computer network environment is now in operation at UCP/NYC children’s programs, providing a rapid response to meet the unique needs of each class. From their classrooms, teachers are able to access educational materials and review and use instructional resources specially developed for the children in their class. Storybook computer projects, augmentative communication symbols libraries, and computer overlays for adapted keyboards, are available with a few keystrokes.

The South Street Seaport Museum is a popular site for day excursions for many adults attending UCP/NYC Day Habilitation programs. Consumers have been introduced to such subjects as marine biology and charting for navigation aboard the Pioneer Schooner, a late 19th Century sailing vessel. While enjoying a cruise provided by the South Street Seaport Museum at no charge, consumers have been able to experience New York City from a different perspective.

The Manhattan Health Care Clinic’s Literacy program is now in its second year of providing reading instruction for adult consumers. Staff is helping consumers become better readers, writers, speakers and problem solvers by providing engaging and thought-provoking instruction. Two literacy groups meet each Friday morning. The Emerging Reader’s group focuses on increasing phonic awareness, sound symbol correspondence and word decoding skills. The Intermediate Reader’s group, which targets higher level reading skills, recently completed “Charlotte’s Web.”

Day Habilitation programs throughout UCP/NYC provide new opportunities for adults to participate in community activities. Adult consumers at Manhattan Day Treatment I and Day Habilitation II conducted a mock election on November 2nd to share in the excitement of this historic day. Consumer poll workers checked in voters on “registration” lists (a board with photos of all adults in the program), and distributed ballots. Each voter placed a stamp next to the picture of the candidate of their choice, and placed their ballot in a box. When all votes had been cast, everyone assembled at the polling site for the sorting and counting of ballots.

Promoting community activism is an important feature of the Day Hab program. The Brooklyn Day Habilitation education group sponsored Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants wore pink ribbons to increase breast health awareness and circulated informative literature to their friends and staff.

Brooklyn Day Treatment I/Day Habilitation III found a creative way to meet and treat their neighbors. Six consumers stuffed and decorated cuddly plush animals for the children at the Crown Heights Day Care Center. The consumers and staff then personally delivered the toys. They were warmly welcomed by the toddlers and their teachers and were encouraged to return. Positive relationships with community organizations create win-win opportunities for Day Hab programs, and everyone benefits from the talents and enthusiasm of the people UCP serves.