Trailblazer Program

This program offers students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in the same learning environments available to same-age peers.

The rise in expectations and the move towards more comprehensive K-12 education has allowed young adult students attending a college program to achieve their potential.

Inclusion-Focused Education

The MMI-UNO Trailblazer Program provides focused academic, vocational, and social learning and many other experiences.

Though there may be important concerns regarding safety, access, supports and transportation, the advantages of postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities almost always outweigh the challenges.

Positive student outcomes include the development and enhancement of academic, work, and personal skills, independent living, friendships and self-support.

• This two-year program includes auditing a minimum of two undergraduate courses per semester.
• An individual plan for college participation is developed for each student.
• This is a certificate program that does not offer higher education credits toward a college degree.

Program Admission

This certificate program is intended for interested and motivated students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities who are:

• Between the ages of 18 and 25.
• In their final years of high school (up to three years) or who have completed secondary education.
• Not able to access college by meeting typical entrance criteria.
• Able to learn to navigate the college environment with necessary supports and to be unsupervised for a minimum of one hour.
• Able to arrange transportation to and from campus.

Student Supports

• Students will work with Trailblazer staff and UNO administration to register for courses each semester to ensure that they are enrolled and will be billed appropriately.
• Supports are provided by the program coordinator and peer mentors. Courses will most likely be audited but may be taken for credit if the student is capable of meeting the requirements of the course without modification of its content. Supports for accessing courses, vocational experiences and other instruction are individually addressed.
• Students spend approximately 20 hours per week on campus attending classes, gaining work experience, receiving academic tutoring and life skills instruction and socializing with peers.
• Students follow the regular fall/spring semester calendar.