College honors

So how's it been to attend college classes as a student with a disability? For Andrew Cormeir, who gave one of the student speeches at a Cape Cod Community College honors ceremony this week, the college experience has been a lot like it would be for everybody else. He made friends, worked hard, learned a lot. And if his pervasive developmental disorder slowed him down just a bit, Andrew took it in stride.

"It stinks, I know," he said of his disability with a grin as the audience roared its approval. "It might take me longer to think of things, but when I do I know what I'm thinking about."

Andrew was among scores of students who received certificates from the college's Project Forward Tuesday in a commencement ceremony that could only be described as joyful. Speaker after speaker lauded the group’s spirit, energy and zest for learning. “It’s not hard to be your strongest supporter,” said CCCC President Kathleen Schatzberg, who praised the students’ work in the community. “Your achievements have been enormous.”

It was a day for focusing on abilities, not disabilities, as cap-and-gown-wearing students gave speeches, sang, danced and high-fived their way across the stage to the delight of family, friends and college administrators. Pomp and circumstance gave way to tears when a student group sang “How could anyone ever tell you (you are anything less than beautiful)?” In all, almost 60 students earned recognition for their work in such areas as child care, mass communications, retail and culinary arts.

Project Forward, which serves students from all over the country, is one of a growing number of college programs that are designed to meet the needs of students with significant learning difficulties. Started 19 years ago, the program has grown steadily and will expand to welcome 115 students this fall. It focuses on developing employment skills with the goal of helping students live as independently as possible. This year it placed 67 students in internships with area businesses.

For more information on postsecondary programs for students with disabilities, see Thinkcollege.net.