Most adolescents face similar challenges as they deal with transitions at school, at home and in their personal lives. But for young people with disabilities, the problems can be considerably more acute, making the need for role models and mentors in their lives all the more urgent.
Looking to close this void, Janice Light, professor of communication disorders, and David McNaughton, assistant professor of special education, at Pennsylvania State University, became increasingly aware of the strong leadership that was developing among adults with similar disabilities. Like their younger counterparts, they rely on augmentive and alternative communication (AAC).
"These adults had managed to achieve certain educational and vocational goals and could really offer strong support, advice and encouragement," Light explained. "The problem was that they were at a great distance geographically from these young people."
She and her colleagues developed the AAC Mentor Project to promote and foster online relationships between adolescents with communication disabilities and adult mentors. Because AAC users already depend on computers and E-mail to communicate, linking thee two groups in cyberspace seemed a natural and valuable extension.
The project staff began recruiting and training 30 adult mentors who then underwent a 12- to 18-hour training period before they were paired with a young person. During this training, which occurs online, the mentors developed or sharpened communication, problem-solving and general guidance skills. Thirty adolescents who expressed an interest in the program were nominated by parents, teachers or therapists to become "proteges."
"The Mentor Project gives me someone to talk with about the workplace, college, home and the latest AAC assistive devices," says one participant.
Mentor Micahael Williams says, "There is no limit to the kinds of things a person who relies on augmentative and alternative communication might want a mentor for -- strategies for independent living, relationship development, employment issues, education issues. Each transition can be smoother with our help."
For more information, visit AAC Mentor Project or write to:
AAC
c/o Janice Light
Penn State University
110 Moore Building
University Park, PA 16802-3100
(814) 863-2010
E-mail: AACmentor@psu.edu
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