Post Secondary Program

       Educational opportunities are available to South Carolina adults who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, or sensory multidisabled. The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB) offers postsecondary programs and other services to qualifying adults.

       Located in the Upstate, SCSDB is surrounded by a rapidly growing business and industrial area encompassing the I-85 corridor from Greenville, SC to Charlotte, NC. Increasing job opportunities make the Upstate the ideal location for on-the-job training.

       While preparing for competitive employment, students enjoy a college-like atmosphere, independent lifestyles and access to technology. The SC Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and the SC Commission for the Blind work in cooperation with SCSDB to provide student transition and job placement services.

Programs of Study

Postsecondary Vocational Training Programs

Vocational training programs are typically one or two years in length and lead to a certificate of completion of the required course work. Training areas include:

• Computer Digital Arts

• Food Service

• Forklift Truck Driving

• Horticulture Technology

• Information Systems Technology (Computers)

Support courses are offered to all students to help them
achieve independence and employability, including:

• Career Awareness and Development

• Driver Education

• Independent Living Skills

• Instructional Resources for the Blind

(General Education Diploma preparation, tutoring, etc.)

Cooperative Program with Spartanburg Community College

A unique, cooperative program between SCSDB and Spartanburg Community College (SCC) allows students from throughout South Carolina to choose from a wide range of postsecondary programs while receiving residential and support services from SCSDB. Students can earn an associate degree, diploma or certificate from more than 60 programs of study at SCC.

SCSDB staff in the Office of Student Disability Services at SCC provides specialized support services including interpreters, note-takers, reader/writers, tutoring and assistive technology.

Applicants must be able to meet the admission requirements for SCSDB and SCC for entry into this program. This program was recognized in 1999 as a national model program by the National Transition Alliance for Youth with Disabilities.

Housing

Approximately 20 of the Independence Place Apartments units, located immediately behind the SCSDB campus, are designated as housing for SCSDB’s adult students. The two-bedroom, furnished apartments are managed by the Spartanburg Housing Authority and have undergone a complete renovation. SCSDB student residents will have access to the school’s dining facilities, transportation, technology and Independent Living Skills (ILS) training.

Transportation

SCSDB offers an extensive statewide and local transportation system to postsecondary students on a space-available basis. Postsecondary students may also have their own cars on campus. For students in the Cooperative Program, transportation between SCSDB and SCC is available.

Career Development/Placement

Through SCSDB’s postsecondary programs, students receive training in completing employment applications, writing effective resumes and interviewing for jobs. Job coaches and transition staff assist the students and the appropriate rehabilitation agencies in setting up interviews for potential job placement near the communities in which students choose to live.

Health Services

Although postsecondary students are responsible for handling arrangements for their individual healthcare needs, valuable Independent Living Skills training is available to the students to assist them with this responsibility. In addition, SCSDB’s Health Center is staffed by medical personnel who assist in providing health services information and referrals.

Fees and Financial Assistance

Funds from the following sources may be available to postsecondary students:

• SC Department of Vocational Rehabilitation

• SC Commission for the Blind

• SCSDB Student Work Program

• SCSDB Student Scholarships

• Spartanburg Community College Foundation

Information on the application process, current fees and financial assistance is available by phone or e-mail.

2006-07 POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM FEES

and HOUSING INFORMATION
South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind

(Effective August 1, 2006)

Cooperative Program - Spartanburg Community College students should refer to the college catalog available on their web site at www.sccsc.edu for tuition and fees which are paid directly to the college.

You may contact us for additional information on the application process by telephone or e-mail as listed below.

For more information contact:

Bob Day, Director, Postsecondary Education
South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind
355 Cedar Springs Road, Spartanburg, SC 29302-4699
1-888-447-2732 Voice/TTY (864) 577-7658 Voice/TTY
(864) 577-7713 Fax Email: bday@scsdb.org
Web Site: www.scsdb.org