Inclusive Pathways: The College Readiness Programme’s Journey and Impact

The College Readiness Programme (CRP) is a flagship programme, started by the Office of Learning Support (OLS) in 2021. It was tailored to cater to high school students with disabilities, their parents, institutions, and professionals dedicated to supporting individuals with diverse abilities. OLS has successfully hosted 5 editions of this CRP program, emphasising bridging the gap between high school and higher education. 

All five editions of CRP focused on understanding where these gaps lie, what challenges students face and how they can be addressed. Students, parents, teachers, and other professionals from all over India came together to discuss this and address the needs of students with learning difficulties. Each edition of the virtual learning series spanned over three days and aimed to empower students with disabilities, providing them with crucial information to make informed decisions about higher education.

The programme featured experts, students, and parents with experience in disability, accessibility, advocacy, and related topics. This edition further built a community, consisting of over 950 individuals from various parts of the country, representing a diverse range of disabilities impacted by the program.

Each day revolved around a specific theme, focusing on effective exam preparation, selecting the right college pathways, exploring diverse career possibilities, self-advocacy, the role of support systems in higher education, and the benefits of assistive technology in bridging the gap between disability inclusion and access. This programme evolved to become an impactful and community-driven initiative, giving OLS the opportunity to go far and wide, beyond the Ashoka ecosystem to establish inclusion in higher education as the norm. Not only did OLS showcase the importance of inclusivity and bridging the gap in its previous CRPs, but it also encouraged and motivated students to apply and seek admission at Ashoka University. 

Building on this success, OLS introduced the ‘College Readiness Cohort (CRC): Becoming an Independent Learner’ course. This course is designed to fully focus on empowering neurodiverse high school students as they prepare for the transition to college life. The CRC course was also based on themes – students learned the concept of the self, the environment and the self, and the skills needed to adapt to the environment and higher education.

Phase 1 of this course was successfully conducted between the 10th to the 14th of June 2024. In the teacher-led sessions (Phase 1), with full attendance, students were taught essential study skills, and self-advocacy, understood the demands of higher education, and explored career possibilities. For the remaining phases of this one-year-long course, students will meet monthly (Phase 2), visit the Ashoka campus (Phase 3), and interact with industry experts in the final phase (Phase 4).

Overall, CRC addresses academic challenges head-on by fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. It aims to empower students with essential skills such as note-taking, organisation, memory, and time management, which are critical for becoming independent learners. Another significant emphasis of the CRC course is on the use of assistive technologies, where students are introduced to tools such as KIBO, Immersive Reader, speech-to-text software, and organisational apps.

Looking ahead, the CRC course aims to continue expanding its reach and impact. Future plans include enhancing the curriculum with more advanced assistive technologies and incorporating additional workshops on visible and invisible disabilities. It also aims to provide more resources and toolkits to make students college-ready.

The College Readiness Cohort course is an essential programme that plays a pivotal role in preparing neurodiverse students for college. By addressing their unique challenges and providing personalised support, CRC ensures that students are equipped with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to thrive in higher education and beyond. As we look to the future, CRC remains committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers neurodiverse students to achieve their full potential, furthering Ashoka University’s commitment to inclusivity. Building on such courses and providing assistive technologies for those with visible and invisible disabilities, we aim to keep supporting students, both academically and non-academically, to ensure we provide a platform for them to reach their fullest potential.