In schools, the Center provides ACCES Entry Level Application Services to junior and senior students with disabilities. During this process, students learn about ACCES and the Center. When appropriate, they apply for ACCES services which are aimed at assisting the student with finding competitive employment after graduation or providing assistance as the student transitions from secondary to post secondary education Similarly, the Center can assist adults who have attended one of the orientation sessions and would then like to complete the application process.
For students, referrals are made from the student’s home school and Center staff travel to the student’s school to conduct an interview appointment. Parents and/or guardians are always welcome and encouraged to attend with their student. During the interview, information is provided about the ACCES application process and the services ACCES provides, as well as, Center services. Once all necessary application information has been gathered, Center staff provide this documentation along with an Application Summary to ACCES. The goal of the program is that the information provided to ACCES will be sufficient for ACCES to make an eligibility determination based upon disability (financial need is assessed at a later date). ACCES must make the eligibility determination within 60 days of receipt of the completed application.
For adults who have attended an orientation, application interviews are scheduled at another mutually convenient time once the Center has received the required disability documentation. As with student applications, once all necessary application information has been gathered and an application interview conducted, Center staff provide this documentation along with an Application Summary to ACCES. The goal of this process is also that the information provided to ACCES will be sufficient for ACCES to make an eligibility determination based upon disability (financial need is assessed at a later date). ACCES must make the eligibility determination within 60 days of receipt of the completed application.