Race Day Live The need to belong and feel valued is something everyone desires, and it greatly impacts our quality of life. When we are encouraged to pursue what interests us, we gain confidence and a clearer sense of who we are.
Education helps build hope and purpose, but for many adults with developmental disabilities, accessing continued learning beyond traditional education can be a struggle.
The Peer Growth and Lifelong Learning (PGLL) program is working to overcome these obstacles. It offers a welcoming environment for individuals with developmental disabilities to connect with others and learn in their way.
PGLL focuses on allowing participants to explore topics of interest through research, inquiry, and community involvement.
The program is overseen by the State Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL) to ensure it meets quality standards.
Upper Valley Services (UVS) operates three PGLL campuses across the state. These campuses meet weekly and follow a traditional semester-based schedule.
With the help of a Campus Lead and a PGLL Coordinator, participants create their curriculum and choose topics they want to teach to their peers.
Whether it’s paleontology, American Sign Language, meditation, cooking, or safety topics, each class is designed based on the participant’s learning style and interests.
The program supports various formats, allowing participants to research and present their topics in a way that works best for them.
The PGLL program not only strengthens professional and social skills but also builds lasting relationships between participants.
The classroom serves as a safe space where people can bond over shared experiences, have open discussions, and learn from one another. Mistakes are embraced as opportunities for growth, and peer support is always available.
During the summer, PGLL classes focus on exploration and partnerships. Participants visit local nature centers, parks, museums, and art centers to discover new interests and learn about local resources.
The program also brings in guest speakers from different fields, including firefighters, social justice organizations, and local professionals, to offer new perspectives and enhance the learning experience.
Participants have shared how much PGLL has impacted them. One Moretown Campus participant expressed, “
In PGLL, I am able to share ideas, and people will listen.” A Bradford Campus participant said, “PGLL helps me come out of my comfort zone and connect with new people.”
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Another participant from Randolph Campus shared, “I like coming to classes. It helps me get up and speak.”
The parents of a Bradford Campus participant shared their thoughts too, “PGLL is a place where individuals can be themselves but also learn, share their experiences, acquire new tastes, and make friends. Each person is respected but also gently challenged to expand their horizons.”
In a world where lifelong learning and inclusion are not always available, the PGLL program stands out as a beacon of hope.
It empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to pursue their passions, gain confidence, and form meaningful connections with others.
By creating a supportive space for growth, PGLL helps strengthen both its participants and the community as a whole, ensuring that everyone has the chance to learn and thrive.
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