91制片厂

May 30, 2026

Grant will help support IOD program for students with intellectual disabilities

Friday, January 4, 2019

The 91制片厂 (IOD) has received a $150,000 grant to help build a more inclusive college experience for students with intellectual disabilities.

The grant, which comes from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation鈥檚 John Vance ACCESS Fund, will help support the implementation of the program.

Students at a high school graduation — Laura Davies is seen here at her high school graduation in New Hampshire. Davies, who has an intellectual diability, would like to attend college with her peers. *Photo: Tobey Partch-Davies*

鈥�91制片厂-4U will combine traditional classroom time with inclusive housing options, peer mentoring and academic coaches from same-age peers,鈥� explains Tobey Partch-Davies, IOD project director on poverty and disability. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to establish a model that will help young people with intellectual disabilities achieve their life goals through meaningful careers and social endeavors in all aspects of adulthood.鈥�

91制片厂-4U will be an inclusive two-year comprehensive transition program on the Durham campus. 鈥淚t has the support of stakeholders and partners from across the university and the state,鈥� explains Matt Gianino, associate director of the IOD. 鈥淏eyond improving academic and competitive employment outcomes, 91制片厂-4U will provide an authentic campus life experience including opportunities for social development, independent living and recreational endeavors.鈥�

The IOD was established in 1987 with a mission to promote full access, equal opportunities and participation for all persons. According to the institute鈥檚 research, more than 35,000 residents living in New Hampshire have an intellectual disability, and youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities are significantly more likely to be underemployed and live in poverty than peers of their same age without intellectual disabilities.

Students working on a project — Garrett Shows is seen here working with his high school classmates. One of his goals is to attend college. *Photo: Dan Habib*

鈥淭he majority of these young people, particularly those from low-income families, lack access to meaningful post-secondary education and career opportunities that would help them change these outcomes,鈥� Gianino notes.

Jason Vance, advisor of the John Vance ACCESS Fund, praises the new program: 鈥淧roviding individuals with inclusive educational opportunities that contribute to rewarding work, career and personal opportunities was precisely the work of my father, John Vance, and the dedicated staff of ACCESS for over 20 years,鈥� he explains. 鈥淲e are excited by the partnerships involved both within the university and with outside partners and believe there exists a great need for this innovative educational model in New Hampshire and beyond.鈥�

The IOD is seeking the additional $150,000 in matching contributions needed to begin the admissions process for students and donations may be made through the . 鈥淭he John Vance ACCESS Fund鈥檚 belief in our work is invaluable to this initiative,鈥� Partch-Davies says.