Dressed in cap and gown and celebrating graduation with his friends at the College of New Jersey, Brian Danser of Egg Harbor Township, is one of 6 members of the school's first class of the Career and Community Studies program. It's a 4 year program for students with intellectual and physical disabilities.
"I can listen, but I can't take notes. I can't listen and take notes at the same time," Brian said.
That's where mentors come in. The students in the CCS program get help academically and socially from teachers and other students.
"I'm not physically disabled, I just learn differently than everyone and I never thought I was going to be able to get that college experience where I'm making friends and hanging out and doing work," John Russo of Hamilton Township said.
"People all along the way have said he wasn't able to accomplish much because he was always classified. But I'd like to show them, here he is in living color," John's mother Teresa said.
"It gave me a whole new perspective on people with disabilities because I was able to see the abilities of all people," mentor Cara Yukins said.
This has truly been a life-changing experience for these students, attending college, making friends and preparing for the work world after they graduate.
Ashley DiMattia of Bordentown has cerebral palsy, but with her certificate in hand and after doing internships arranged through the program, she's already got a job.
"I think it's great. I'm really excited and I'm looking forward to the next step," Ashley said.
For students with autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities who might never have thought college was possible, walking the graduation line like everyone else is as one kid put it: 'a dream come true.'
