Why study Transition and Access Program (TAP)?

The Transition and Access Program has been recognized by the US Department of Education as a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary program (CTP). Comprehensive Transition Programs must be:

  1. Offered by a college or career school and approved by the U.S. Department of Education;
  2. Designed to support students with intellectual disabilities who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction to prepare for gainful employment.
  3. Offers academic advising and a structured curriculum. 

The Transition and Access Program provides a four-year college experience for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students enrolled in TAP live on campus, take at least one UC undergraduate course for credit or audit, and are enrolled in approximately four UC Transition and Access Program courses each semester. TAP courses are developmental and designed to support students in developing competencies related to vocational skills, self-determination (one’s ability to see themself as the causal agent in their life and act accordingly), social competence, independence, and community living.

Admission Requirements

Successful TAP graduates will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate self-determination skills like choice making, problem solving, decision-making, and goal setting to achieve their person-centered outcomes and function as independent adults. 
  • Recognize and express their personal preferences, interests, needs and strengths 
  • Independently utilize technologies to assist in daily living 
  • Exhibit ability to complete daily living skills such laundry; personal hygiene and grooming; making healthy lifestyle choices; basic prevention and treatment of common illnesses or injuries; community safety; and utilizing public transportation.  
  • Demonstrate ability to engage in appropriate behavioral choices, emotional regulation and conflict resolution, and deliberate the impact of choices and decisions to anticipate consequences .
  • Demonstrate effective interview skills and appropriate work-related behaviors 
  • Identify specific employment opportunities and the vocational skill requirements in their field of interest .
  • Create a resume and digital portfolio that highlight their strengths, skills, and vocational experiences.
  • Apply the knowledge and skills they learned to gain competitive employment after completion of TAP.

Tap student vocational experiences have included:

  • ARAMARK Food Services
  • Restaurants
  • Libraries
  • Information technical support and quality assurance
  • Animal daycare services
  • Child care centers
  • Schools
  • Pharmacies and retail establishments
  • Landscaping, grounds and recycling
  • Office settings
  • University settings
Students will have have a program advisor to guide them through the program to graduation.
The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information

Program Director
PO BOX 21002
Cincinnati, OH 45221
(513) 556-6611
tap@uc.edu

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Program Code: 18CRT-TAP-C4