Opening campus doors: turning college dreams into real life possibilities

College campuses are full of ambition and opportunity, and for many, the transition to adulthood can feel limitless. Yet, for many young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, college is either an unattainable dream, or it is full of barriers that limit participation in work, education, and community life.  

At the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, a programme called HEELS 2 Transition is working to change that. Founded in 2016, HEELS 2 Transition offers a range of skills-based programmes that support young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build self-determined and independent lives. 

Through practical, skills based programmes, participants learn practical strategies for navigating both the responsibilities and benefits of adult life through role play, hands-on activities, and group discussion. “Students in our programmes really get the chance to experience life across all adult areas, whether it’s cooking a meal in a dorm, or having a roommate for the first time,” says Dara Chan, co-director of HEELS 2 Transition. “They’re really getting to have opportunities and experiences that are just like other young adults on a college campus.”   

HEELS 2 Transition addresses topics such as making friends, finding a job, and moving away from home, while also exploring broader themes such as self-management, safety skills, career development, life skills, and mental health. The curriculum was developed with input from experts, parents, and the participants themselves. 

“Some of the key components of our programmes are self-determination, empowerment, and preparing individuals to make their own choices in their adult lives,” says Dara. “Those concepts build on autonomy and mastery, giving our participants the language they need to advocate for themselves, and creating a strong sense of belonging.” 

HEELS 2 Transition offers a variety of programmes. HEELS Week Away is a one-week overnight experience during which participants stay in UNC dorm rooms; HEELS Prep is a four-week long skill-building programme that offers hybrid classes at the university during the summer months. And, through a third programme, HEELS UP, participants can take university-level courses across the UNC, while choosing their own level of involvement – whether through attendance, project-based work, or completing exams.  

“When you come here, you really find yourself, your place, and what you love. The programme prepared me for the future and being independent,” says Eloise Grace Hines, a HEELS UP student. “HEELS UP gives you a lot of structure and a lot of growth. I feel like I can shine and blossom.”  

“The really important thing about our programme is that it’s not just the participants themselves who are benefiting – it’s the entire community,” says Brianne Tomaszewski, co-director of HEELS 2 Transition. For example, UNC undergraduate students can provide direct support and coaching to HEELS 2 Transition participants through its one-to-one coaching model. “UNC students gain valuable skills in supporting others, acting as coaches, and learning how to contribute to more inclusive communities.”  

HEELS 2 Transition continues to grow. As a next step, it’s building out a campus internship programme, partnering with local businesses to offer participants the opportunity to develop career and employment skills. It also plans to create digital resources and online modules for continued learning that can also be accessed by anyone with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the United States. 

Oak Foundation supports HEELS 2 Transition through our Special Interest Programme. Driven by the interests and passions of Oak’s Trustees, the programme provides the space and flexibility to make grants outside of Oak’s other programme strategies. Find out more about Heels 2 Transition here, or check out this video.