State of Alabama

13/06/2024 | Press release | Archived content

COLLEGE QUEST TEACHES INDEPENDENT LIVING FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE CLASSROOM

College Quest, a program specifically for students who are blind or have low vision, will return to Auburn University June 15-28, 2024.

The two-week program brings a dozen students to the campus. College Quest is free to students and sponsored by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB), the Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), and Auburn University.

ADRS State Coordinator of Blind Services Dana Barber said students love College Quest because they get a true glance of what it is like to live two weeks in the life of a college freshman.

"Many students have found encouragement to dream big and know that they can achieve their educational goals," she said. "The students also bond together over the two weeks and remain long-time friends. Many students come back after their first year of college to help with the program."

Barber said staff members at College Quest look forward to the program every year because they love both the program and the students.

"It is a lot of work, and it gives me joy to know that our ADRS staff and the AIDB staff look forward to participating year after year," she said. "The CQ staff keeps returning because the College Quest, a program specifically for students who are blind or have low vision, will return to Auburn University June 15-28, 2024.

The two-week program brings a dozen students to the campus. College Quest is free to students and sponsored by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB), the Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), and Auburn University.

ADRS State Coordinator of Blind Services Dana Barber said students love College Quest because they get a true glance of what it is like to live two weeks in the life of a college freshman.

"Many students have found encouragement to dream big and know that they can achieve their educational goals," she said. "The students also bond together over the two weeks and remain long-time friends. Many students come back after their first year of college to help with the program."

Barber said staff members at College Quest look forward to the program every year because they love both the program and the students.

"It is a lot of work, and it gives me joy to know that our ADRS staff and the AIDB staff look forward to participating year after year," she said. "The CQ staff keeps returning because the program is gratifying to everyone. It's a lot of work and the staff are more than willing to put in the time."

The core of the program's curriculum focuses on six disciplines: independent living, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, team building, student advisement, and vocational rehabilitation.

ADRS, AIDB, and AIDT will provide instructors, and Auburn University is awarding two hours of college credit to students who pass the course.

In addition, Auburn will offer one scholarship to a College Quest student wishing to pursue a STEM-related degree at their school. is gratifying to everyone. It's a lot of work and the staff are more than willing to put in the time."

The core of the program's curriculum focuses on six disciplines: independent living, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, team building, student advisement, and vocational rehabilitation.

ADRS, AIDB, and AIDT will provide instructors, and Auburn University is awarding two hours of college credit to students who pass the course.

In addition, Auburn will offer one scholarship to a College Quest student wishing to pursue a STEM-related degree at their school.

Vocational Rehabilitation Blind and Deaf Services is a program of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), the state agency that serves Alabamians with disabilities, helping to enable them to reach their maximum potential. Our continuum-of-care approach means that support and resources are available to Alabamians with disabilities at every stage of life. Find out more at rehab.alabama.gov.