{Photo of three YAP students} The Young Adult Program is a post secondary program providing a range of transition services to young people with disabilities, ages 17 - 26.

The Young Adult Program began October 4, 1977 in two classrooms in the Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) building with two teachers and a group of students. YAP was developed out of the recognition that with the closing of institutions around the state there would be an increasing demand for services for young adults. At the time, there were no existing services being offered after high school. The concept of the Young Adult Program was to provide students with classroom instruction in addition to non-classroom work experiences.

Emphasized in student planning each year in the Young Adult Program is family participation, involvement of community resources, and most importantly, student-directed goal setting.

Whenever possible, student instruction is a collaborative effort between the student, the program staff and community resources. In addition to our ongoing relationship with KVCC, students participate in instruction with WMU students, access volunteer opportunities in a range of community agencies and learn adult living skills in several agency locations through collaborative arrangements with our program. Transition to employment and adult agency resources is assisted through a joint effort between MRC-Rehabilitation Services and Kalamazoo RESA, providing transition counseling, job supports and linkages to other community resources.