Hey guys! It’s me, Taylor Breehl/Yugovich!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of sitting in on one of the TOPS classes. I met multiple students and was able to participate in the class activities. The day began with a recap of the different social events people had made or were in the process of being made. (Stay tuned and you will be able to see how they did this very soon!)

Then, students discussed the study groups that had been occurring throughout the week. If you are a current TOPS student and would like more information on how to learn about these study groups, click the following link or message the following person.

Towards the middle of class, Mrs. Sheri, helped students review their voting terminology by the means of a Kahoot. Previously, that week, they had a guest speaker come in and discuss information on the voting process so this review was perfect to help refresh their memories while still having some fun. Do you need a refresher on your voting terminology?? Take the Kahoot and find out!

Hope you all enjoy this beautiful Friday and have a wonderful weekend! I’m going camping! What are your weekend plans? Comment below!

Hello guys!

My name is Taylor Breehl, although I am currently in the process of changing my name to Taylor Yugovich as I got married about a month ago. I am an intern at TOPS and have loved my time there thus far. I currently attend OSU and am majoring in Child and Youth Studies.

I will be going around on different days capturing what is going on in and out of the classroom and then uploading them on here! I will also be updating you guys on things like: upcoming social events, what life is like in the dorms, upcoming days off, and highlighted staff members, students, alumni, mentors, and graduates!

If you guys have anything else you would like me to blog about or keep you updated about please reply in the comments section and I will see what I can do!

I look forward to meeting with you all and learning more about the program!

The information sessions are scheduled! Please share widely for those interested in learning more about TOPS. Sessions are virtual.

Are you considering postsecondary education for your child with a disability? Here are some strategies to help work toward this goal!

20PowerfulStrategies

Nine students are on campus for our Campus Orientation and Transition Assessment (COTA) program. So far, students have done a ton in a few short days. They worked on navigating campus using the Ohio State app on their phones. On a campus this size, navigating will always be a work in progress. Students are eating in one of the university cafeterias and on-campus restaurants. These locations are all-you-can-eat so students have an opportunity to make choices about the food they consume both in type and amount. Today, students rode the campus bus, CABS for the first time. Students have accessed their student accounts and email using their OSU logins. This isn’t always the easiest.

Students have met alumni and current students, as well as a mentor, James. James helped students with the assessments they were completing with the program this week. Students started to think about career potentials but before that how would they learn more about working at Ohio State. Students learned about classes they can take. They were able to make choices about specific classes they were interested in taking.

Students attended the Orientation Resource Fair. This event was very busy and a bit overwhelming. While there students were able to find out about different resources on campus. These resources include dining services, health insurance at OSU, recreational sport, wellness, and so many more.

TOPS 2022 graduate Alex has been involved with the Ohio State University Chapter of Best Buddies since before she started at OSU. She was recently featured on their website as one of the 2022 graduates! Check her out!

Join us on May 15, 2022 to celebrate Inclusive Postsecondary Education Day (IPSE) Day!

IPSE Day is a day to raise awareness and spread the word about inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) options for students with intellectual disability. IPSE means that students with intellectual disability can go to college, regardless of their test scores and high school diplomas, just like their peers and siblings.

Students with and without intellectual disability can go to college together. All students learn more academically and socially when taught together in inclusive classrooms (Taylor et al., 2021). “Faculty observed that the inclusion of college students with ID benefited the students themselves, but also benefited other college students, the classroom environment, and the instructors” (p. 6-7).

Today, there are about 5,300 colleges and universities in the U.S., and just over 300 have options for students with intellectual disability. While there are more options now than ever before, we still have work to do. So many students, parents, teachers, and college staff don’t know that college is an option for students with intellectual disability.

IPSE gives students with intellectual disability the opportunity to dream bigger. On May 15, help us tell a new story about inclusive postsecondary education! Share your #IPSEDay2022 story on social media.

Visit Think College to learn more about what you can do to expand inclusive postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disability.

Today, May 3rd, is Ohio State’s Day of Giving. Join our Buckeye community as we create pathways to an affordable, accessible education on Day of Giving. TOPS provides scholarships annually to students, helping them to succeed while at Ohio State. Give now at: Give To OSU. Search for the TOPS Fund (#313451).

Help us celebrate our 2022 graduates!