Opening Educational Paths

A UNT program for students with intellectual disabilities is giving educational access to a population that has been historically excluded from higher education. 

The decision about Lauryn Woolfolk’s future came wrapped in a standard envelope. As she tore it open and began reading the letter, her grandma let out a holler of excitement as soon as Woolfolk read the words, “You have been accepted.” Woolfolk’s reaction took a few more seconds to register. Finally, she lifted her arms above her head in celebration as her family members continued their gleeful screams. Then came the tears of joy and hugs as the news really sank in — she was going to the University of North Texas for a true university experience. 

Similar sentiments of happiness have been felt by other students accepted into UNT ELEVAR, which stands for Empower, Learn, Excel, enVision, Advance and Rise. Since the program debuted in fall 2021, ELEVAR has given students with intellectual disabilities a rare path forward in their education. Beginning with five students and with 27 students currently enrolled, the program serves a population that has been historically excluded from higher education. 

Traci Walker didn’t think her son Jaylen would fulfill his goal of going to college until she heard about UNT ELEVAR, which is one of the first postsecondary education programs of its kind at a Hispanic-Serving Institution in the U.S. Jaylen was born prematurely and diagnosed with an intellectual disability, a speech impediment and hearing loss. When he was a baby, doctors said he may never walk, talk, feed himself or even learn. Now, he does all of those things and is a thriving member of ELEVAR.  

“I believe people can have dreams like I have dreams,” Walker told NBC 5. “I don’t care what nobody says; if I can do it, you can, too.” 

Inclusive education for students with disabilities is widely available in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, but once students age out of high school programs, opportunities to continue education drop significantly. Lack of educational access can build disparities in the workforce as well as decrease the quality of life for these individuals.

That reality didn’t sit well with Brenda Barrio. The three-time UNT College of Education alumna (’06, ’08 M.S., ’13 Ph.D.) has spent her career advocating for students with disabilities, especially those from under-championed communities. When an opportunity arose to come back to her alma mater to teach, she had a very specific goal in mind.  

“In my interview, I shared my plan to create an inclusive program for individuals with intellectual disabilities here on campus,” says Barrio, associate professor of educational psychology and assistant vice president for research and innovation at UNT. “I knew it was ambitious, but the need is great for this population. They deserve the chance to go to college, pursue a career of their choice and live independent lives.”

In 2020, Barrio and other faculty collaborators earned a $2 million seed grant from the U.S. Department of Education to officially begin development of ELEVAR. Now, in its fourth year, the program will soon celebrate the graduation of its first cohort in spring 2025.

ELEVAR students attend UNT for four years and take both traditional zero credit college courses in disciplines that align with their career aspirations along with ELEVAR specific courses in financial literacy, life skills and health education. Each student is given a personalized plan which accounts for their career goals, where they want to live after graduation and their support system. The plan then guides students toward classes and internships that help further their dreams. 

The program’s success has gained notice around the state and country. In fall 2023, ELEVAR earned the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Star Award, which recognizes higher education institutions that contribute toward the board’s “Building a Talent Strong Texas” initiative. The Think College Coordinating Center considers ELEVAR one of the most inclusive postsecondary programs in the country and has called on its students, faculty and staff to help raise awareness about educational opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Even other higher education institutions have reached out to UNT for guidance in establishing similar programs, Barrio says. High school students with intellectual disabilities, along with their teachers, visit UNT once a semester to learn more about UNT and the program. ELEVAR also hosts open houses for interested families and potential students.

“These families get really excited because they see that their student can pursue higher education and get the support they need to succeed. Something that a few years ago was unknown or unheard of for individuals with intellectual disability, but UNT and other programs across the nation are making it possible.” 

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