TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council awarded full accreditation to the CrossingPoints Tier 3 Program at The University of Alabama, making it the first accredited program of its kind in the Southeastern Conference and the state of Alabama.
CrossingPoints Tier 3 becomes the fourth inclusive postsecondary program in the United States to be accredited by the new council. As an IPSE, CrossingPoints program strives to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities have the same educational and campus experiences as their peers.
“The University of Alabama’s CrossingPoints Tier 3 program’s deep commitment to inclusion and excellence is a model for inclusive higher education,” Stephanie Smith Lee, IHEAC board president, said. “The dedication of program leadership to students with intellectual disabilities was evidenced by meaningful outcomes and the experiences shared by students, parents, employers, and several stakeholders on campus during the site visit.”
IHEAC board members highlighted several outstanding features of the program and the highly qualified staff, including:
- CrossingPoints Tier 3 showcased exceptional strengths that embody its unwavering commitment to empowering students with intellectual disabilities.
- CrossingPoints Tier 3 demonstrated its strong commitment to supporting students with intellectual disabilities through:
- A strong collaboration among students and faculty focused on achieving learning outcomesEmployment outcomes far exceeding national data on employment rates for exiting studentsIndividualized support and services provided to each student based on their personal academic, social, career and independent living goals
- Program staff and faculty promotion of inclusion and accessibility through exemplary practices such as Universal Design for Learning
“Accreditation is not just a seal. It is a reflection of the hard work, dedication and grit of the CrossingPoints team. It is also a testament to the strength of the partnerships the Capstone has made possible,” Dr. Kagendo Mutua, executive director of CrossingPoints Tier 3 Program, said. “These partnerships have become an indomitable community. A community that values and defends both the nuanced and explicit differences that CrossingPoints students bring to our campus.”
About CrossingPoints Tier 3
CrossingPoints Tier 3 began in 2019 based on the long-standing history of CrossingPoints and is known as the CrossingPoints Certificate in Occupational Studies program, a three-year non-degree certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities.
Students live in student housing and take UA classes for credit. They complete employment internships, work on campus and attend clubs and other student organizations. Students receive individualized support in all areas of the fully inclusive program.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides a forward-thinking environment and over 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
Contact
Jeremy Reid, CrossingPoints Program External Relations Coordinator, jeremy.reid@ua.edu