Welcome to Peer Power!
High school students with disabilities are experiencing the power of a peer group through a statewide initiative. Peer Power is a unique, peer driven program designed to provide knowledge, skills and support to high school students with, and without, all types of disabilities so they are better prepared to transition to adult life.
The Independent Living Council of Wisconsin, Inc. (ILCW) awarded grants to six organizations to develop Peer Power groups. With funds provided by the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD), grants are going to: (Please visit each site for more information)
Additional locations will be established as the three year plan to develop Peer Power in Wisconsin continues.
Peer Power is an expansion of a pilot that began in 2004 after U.S. Senator Herb Kohl paved the way to find funding from the Department of Education to help support students with disabilities transitioning from high school. The pilots were so successful that Peer Power became a statewide initiative.
“Transition from high school to adult life presents challenges for any young person. Students need knowledge about opportunities after graduation, skills to get and keep a job or pursue post-secondary education, and support from family and friends. Too often, youth with disabilities get information only through the school systems and do not have the opportunity to develop the natural networks that other youth have”. Jennifer Ondrejka, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Peer Power is unique in that the program is driven by the students themselves. Peer Power members’ shape their group through talking about their needs and sharing their interests about what they want to do when they transition from high school into the adult world.
Peer Power groups provide a place for students to talk with others who understand what it’s like to be a student with a disability and to be in transition and provides young people a place to use their voices on equal grounds with others. Youth with all types of disabilities develop a sense of personal power by expressing themselves in matters that mean a lot to them, talking about their choices, exploring ideas and discovering their potential. Peer Power provides openings for friendships and increased social and community life.
“Peer Power is recognizing potential, enhancing growth and encouraging discovery. It helps students with disabilities recognize the power of relationships and that involvement with others is all about ability and not disability.” Cheryl Schiltz, statewide Peer Power Coordinator for the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin.
While in high school Peer Power members become active participants in planning their future. They identify their goals and take steps to reach their goals for adult life that are associated with employment, education, housing, independent living, social activities and other areas they consider important. Peer Power members learn how to assertively express their choices to families, professionals such as teachers and others.
After leaving high school Peer Power participants are better prepared to pursue and obtain employment, post-secondary education and to pursue and participate in activities of their choice in the life of their community and beyond.
Members of a Peer Power group also have an option to work one-on-one with a mentor in addition to being a group member.
For more information about Peer Power contact Cheryl Schiltz at the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin.
Cheryl Schiltz, Statewide Peer Power Coordinator
Independent Living Council of Wisconsin
More Peer Power web content will be available soon
Please check back for the latest information on Peer Power in Wisconsin |
