Page 26 - Southern Exposure - July '24

Page 26, Southern Exposure

sChooL news from page 25 ACI allows students to earn certificates in supported
employment, supported community access and supported
“The ACI program is community living. These certificates are offered in an
an important part of the inclusive college environment on both the Boca Raton and
community. Knowing that Jupiter campuses of FAU. The program allows students
there are 51 graduates who to participate in college activities, clubs, events and
have an intellectual or organizations that are available to all FAU students. ACI
developmental disability also offers a residential experience program each summer,
who are working right when students get to spend one week living in the dorms on
next to any other employee the Boca Raton campus.
is something that makes The mission of ACI is to increase overall independence in
Palm Beach, Broward and employment, self-determination and community experiences
Martin Counties special and for individuals with intellectual and developmental
that should be celebrated,” disabilities. Through a generous partnership with longtime
said Kelly Kearney, Ed.D., benefactors the Taft Foundation, ACI was developed and
BCBA-D, associate director launched in 2017. The partnership was due to the vision and
of FAU’s Academy for Dr. Angelica Downey, Department of Special Education at strong advocacy of founding ACI Principal Investigator Dr.
Community Inclusion in FAU ACI student Lily Doyle FAU; FAU ACI Class of 2024 graduate Whitney Wiley and Dr. Mike Brady, who was a dedicated faculty member and chair
the Department of Special and her mother Katherine Gwendolyn Carey, Department of Special Education at FAU for the Department of Special Education in the College of
Education. “Having our Trusky Education, until his passing in 2021. Rangasamy Ramasamy,
graduates find a rewarding “I was so excited because I made it!” she said of Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Special Education
job and becoming self-reliant is our ultimate goal and we graduating. “It was a really big accomplishment for me. I at FAU, presented Dr. Brady’s partner, Dawn Furlan, with
are so proud of Whitney and Michael who are pursuing their was so happy to wear a cap and gown. I learned how to get the Crystal Owl Award for his dedication to those who
dreams.” around the community, be safe and stay safe, health and experience disabilities and his generosity in supporting this
This polo season, Wiley worked at the National Polo fitness, and social skills.” legacy project through his estate plans.
Center in Wellington handing out event programs and Johnson, who owns a food truck with his dad, said that To learn more about the FAU Academy for Community
enjoyed watching the end of the matches. The 25-year-old the ACI program helped him become a better business owner Inclusion, visit fau.edu/education/academicdepartments/ese/
hopes to find a new job that involves horses and even rides and entrepreneur. “I learned about money, employment and aci/ and you can click GIVE to make a donation.
them weekly at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in how to do paperwork,” he added. Photos by Coastal Click Photography
Loxahatchee.

Dawn Furlan and Rangasamy Ramasamy, Ph.D., professor,
FAU ACI student Holden Kasky with his father Jeff Kasky Department of Special Education at FAU

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