Accessible College and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): Working Together to Support Students

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Accessible College has created a new partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), aimed at bringing more information on college preparation to student with neuromuscular disease.  There are many conditions that fall under the umbrella of neuromuscular disease. A few examples are conditions like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Charcot Marie Tooth. Students with all types of neuromuscular conditions have unique considerations when thinking about college. The key is to START PLANNING EARLY! To that end, Annie Tulkin, the Founder/Director of Accessible College, worked with MDA and Adrienne Frumberg, CEO of Lighthouse Guidance, to put together a number of essential resources:

  1. MDA College Planning Timeline: This checklist timeline is customized for students with neuromuscular conditions and their families. It starts with planning in the 9th grade and goes through high school graduation. This timeline can assist students and families in breaking things up into manageable chunks.
  2. MDA Virtual Learning: What Does College Look Like These Days?: In this webinar, Annie Tulkin and Adrienne Frumberg talk about the current state of college and what students with disabilities and their guardians should prepare for.
  3. MDA Virtual Learning: Personal Care Attendants at College: In this webinar, Annie Tulkin discussed how students who need Personal Care Attendants can plan for the transition to college.

Accessible College is also working with the very first group of MDA Scholarship recipients to support them post college transition advocacy and planning! The MDA scholarship opens back up in January. Keep an eye out for that!

Success Story: “MIT Student is a Shining Star in the Universe“.This MDA Quest article showcases the amazing accomplishments of Ben Lou, an MIT student with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), who is making waves at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In the article, Ben mentions his work with Annie Tulkin and Accessible College! Ben was able to work with Annie for free through a project Accessible College has with The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to offer up to 3 hours of college transition support to students with any type of limb paralysis. 

Learn more about Accessible College’s Services.

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