FIU offers program for students with special needs

WEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A local university is giving students with special needs the opportunity to go to college.

Florida International University started it's Project Panther Life for intellectually disabled students. "It's important for people to realize that an intellectual disability does not limit you from so many other things that you can do in your life," said Liliana Demoya, a mother who helped start the program.

A group of freshmen students in the program enrolled in their first college class. "They're taking a course a semester, and they are engaging in the same assignments that all of the other university students are doing," said Diana Valle-Riestra, Assistant Professor of Special Education at FIU.

The young adults have difficulty communicating and developing socially, but the program offers a way for them to be included. "The biggest thing for them is to be included with the mainstream and as well to feel part of society with everyone else," said a faculty member.

Faculty and fellow students are welcoming Project Panther Life students with open arms. Each student is paired with two mentors who introduce them to life on campus and help them with their assignments. "First day of school, I got good friends right now in my classroom. I've got Alex, he's a really good person, me an him have become super best friends," said one student.

"I love my classes, I love my FIU program," said student Alex Demoya.

Demoya's family is thrilled there is an opportunity for him to continue his education beyond high school. "I think he can teach a lot of students skills that are not academic skills. I think he can teach them strength. He is the most motivated, hard-working person I've ever known," said Liliana Demoya.

Thanks to Liliana, the program allows these students to have academic access at a local college. "A program like this one was not available in South Florida, so I started to knock on doors and meet people at universities and meet presidents and put together proposals," said Liliana Demoya.

The eight students in the project now call FIU home, and the future for these students has positive possibilities. "I think one of our last goals, as they graduate from the program, is we want to see them go ahead and develop the skills to interview for a job and retain a job," said Valle-Riestra.

The students are not graded and do not qualify for a diploma, but the program offers the students the skills for them to become independent, productive adults.

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