by Rachel Richardson and Dawn Fuller

(513) 556-5219



April 27, 2016

For many students, college graduation represents a celebration of student achievement and success. For the first graduates of the Transition Access Program (TAP) at the University of Cincinnati, the milestone march across the stage will also mark the breaking of a barrier in higher education.

Seven students from the program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities will take part in UC’s spring commencement ceremony at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 30, in Fifth Third Arena.

Post-secondary educational options were just a pipe dream for many of these students when UC launched its TAP program in 2012 within the College of Education, Criminal Justice & Human Services (CECH). The novel program offers a non-degree option for students with mild-to-moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome and Asperger’s syndrome.

Their experience mirrors that of any other student on campus: They go to class, gain work experience through internships, join clubs, hang out with friends and participate in college life. And not only are TAP students actively engaging in a true college experience, they’re acquiring skills and knowledge that promote lifelong learning, social competency, independent living and preparation for careers that best fit their talents.

UC offered a unique element to its program when, in 2013, it opened the 26-bed Tap House residential community in its Stratford Heights Complex to provide TAP students with both an authentic learning and living experience. The program gained national recognition when it was featured later that year on an episode of the popular Fox TV series “Glee.”

We spoke with TAP’s first graduating class about their experiences with the program and what lies ahead.