Study: More Special-Needs Students Involved in Community, Attend College

MENLO PARK, Calif. -- Despite their learning disabilities, Susan Switzer's students are often out and about in the community, visiting the mall, museum, theater and park.
They work a few hours a week at the library, bowling alley and other places.
They also run their own small business from their classroom in the Jefferson Union High School District building in Daly City, making popcorn and greeting cards and selling them to staff and other students.
"I think our program helps them be more engaged (in the community)," said Switzer, a special-education teacher in the district. "They learn appropriate manners, social skills and how to ask for help."
The achievements of those in Switzer's program reflect a new study's findings that show students with disabilities such as speech impairment, intellectual disabilities or autism are more involved in their communities and are attending college in greater numbers than before.