STRIVES for Exceptional Excellence is an educational program for teenagers and adults with disabilities. The goal is to use socialization, educational technology, money management, and life living skills to support disabled adults with obtaining their independence. Members in the program are approaching the age in which they will graduate or have already “aged out” of high school due to guidelines outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Often referred to as IDEA, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides students in the public school system with supports tailored to their needs. However once these students reach the age of 21 supports are no longer guaranteed. This leaves a huge population of adults with disabilities without many options after they graduate.

Finding a place of employment is a job in itself! STRIVES for Exceptional Excellence was created to help narrow the gap between aging out of high school and becoming an independent adult; basically continuing where the School System has left off! STRIVES for Exceptional Excellence uses socialization activities to help disabled adults network with their peers. Socializing gives STRIVES members a chance to voice their concerns/ and or needs, build their confidence, support other members, and network with others within the community. Educational technology supports STRIVES members with maneuvering the ever-changing “Tech World”; guiding members with creating a resume’ on resume’ building websites, developing professional profiles on programs like LinkedIn, and finding jobs on employment websites like Indeed.