What is Access (18+ Programming) 4 Domains of Adult Living:
Dripping Springs ISD  Students that will graduate pursuant to their
IEP are potentially eligible for continuing
supports and/or services through their public
school until the completion of the school year
in which they turn 21 by September 1st.
 All 18+ programming is IEP-based and is
individualized based on specifically
determined need across four domains:
Social/Recreation/Leisure, Adult Living, Life-
long Learning, & Employment.
 While a student’s eligibility for continuing
services ends when they “age-out,” students
graduating pursuant to their IEP may require
18+ services a semester, one year, two
years, or not at all.
 The services that the 18+ student receives
depend upon their identified needs with
consideration given to sustainability as the
A-Adult services transition from school-based to
family-, community-, or secondary service
provider-based. These supports and services
C-Coordinated are based on their specific needs as
discerned through formal and informal
evaluation data from multiple sources.
C-Continuing  18+ is based on demonstrated continuing
student needs which are documented
through progress on previous goals, needed
E-Education supports and services through the school
day, and formal assessment. In general, a
student’s adaptive behavior composite must
S-Services and be below a standard score of 80 with one or
more areas related to adult living significantly
delayed/deficient (at least 2 standard
deviations from the mean). Further, there
S-Supports must be consistency across raters in order to
ensure that significant deficits are noted
across settings rather than just in one class,
just by one rater, or just in the home.
Where feasible, students will be given instruction
and tools in order to come as close to full
independence in each area as possible. However,
functional independence is likely a more
appropriate goal for students with moderate
cognitive delays and supported independence is
likely a more appropriate goal for students with
severe cognitive delays.
1: Social/Recreational/Leisure
Functional independence looks like:
 Manages own calendar, sets appointments/
makes plans, and resolves conflict in schedule-
with prompts.
 Uses family and friend networks to brainstorm
solutions to problems.
 Participates in recreational events and health/

exercise.
Uses task analysis to organize get-togethers-
with reminders.
 Conflict resolution is a challenge which
requires peer or adult support to prevent
being taken advantage of.
2: Adult Living
Functional independence looks like:
 Needs initial prompts to start and complete
household chores.
 Maintains personal hygiene with occasional
reminders.
 Plans, purchases, and cooks well balanced

meals with minimal assistance.
Asks for assistance in solving everyday
problems.
 Budgets money and uses a checkbook (or
on-line) with periodic support.

3. Lifelong Learning
Functional independence looks like:
 Adult student will assess options for post-
secondary education and weighs options
and makes a decision with minimum
support from agencies.
 Arrives to class on-time or reports
appropriately, on –time, with necessary
materials for Peabody House and
community activities 80% of the time.
 Time manages and completes
assignments/tasks with initial support in
organization.
 Requires initial support in enrolling in
classes that meet their learning potential
(DARS, Parent, or District Personnel may
support).
 Seeks support occasionally, and is often
unsure of abilities and strengths
4: Employment
Functional independence looks like:
 Adult practices completing a job
application frequently, creates a resume
with support, and can fulfill job application
requirements with periodic support.
 Developing skills to maintain full-time job,
can evaluate job performance. New jobs
may require feedback from support person
(job-coach).
 Manages time, tasks, and productivity on a
familiar job with no support.
 Has self-advocacy for needs on the job,
has identified when to disclose for the
disability.
 Uses communication systems to relay
information at a familiar job. Uses an ADA
accommodation letter.
F.A.Q.s
Is the ACCESS program schedule just like my
The Peabody House
senior year schedule?
No: Your senior year schedule was based on
a 4-year High School day which ensured that you
would have the required amount of time in each of
your core and elective courses. ACCESS
programming does not have required core and
elective courses. There is also no requirement for a
commensurate school day like there was during high
school. Instead, your day is made up of activities
that support your acquisition of adult skills across
four domains. 18+ programs, including ACCESS are
based on your specific goals, strengths, and needs.
Services could be anywhere from five days a week to
one day per week. Some students may need only
support on-the-job and others may spend some time
at the Peabody House. Some students need support
with feeding, self-care, and hygiene so they stay for
a supported care block during the lunch hour. Other Who do I contact for more info?
students go home (or to their job) at noon.
9th-11th grade:
What about transportation? Melinda Chavira-Cox
At first, transportation to and from the 18+ (512) 858-3180
campus and all the transportation in the community
during your day will be provided by the district. Jena Walker
(512) 858-3178
However, you, your parents, and the 18+ team will
make a plan to transition transportation to you
12th grade:
and/or your parents.
Jeanine Egby
What job or job sampling opportunities are (512) 858-3105
available to me in the ACCESS program?
It is a goal of the ACCESS program to have ACCESS student:
job placements or job sampling opportunities at a Randy West
variety of locations. The program is, however, at the (512) 858-3227
mercy of the businesses in our program area. The
ACCESS program has to rely on the businesses in the
program area to embrace the opportunity to work
together. ACCESS is currently, or has in the past,
partnered with Red Arena, Austin Zoo, Anytime
Fitness, Oak Creek Café, and Home Depot.