We are thrilled to bring you our first episode in our spotlight series A Focus on Education with an interview with the dynamic advocate and supporter, Mary Sokolowski, Ph.D. from College Internship Program (CIP). The College Internship Program (CIP) is a private young adult transition program for individuals 18-26 with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences offering comprehensive and specialized services.
Mary helps us kick off this series with a conversation about what people with learning challenges can and should have the opportunity to achieve. We talk about the article that Mary wrote a few years ago which is what prompted us to invite her to be on the show.
Please join us as we head down this path of transition, college and beyond for people with disabilities. Mary gives some great takeaways and ideas for parents, families, and adults with disabilities on how to start to navigate through this period of uncertainty and change. We talk about how much learning is done outside of the classroom and how programs like CIP really “get” this about students with autism, ADHD and other learning challenges.
We know that this episode is going to shine a little light on transition and bring important and compassionate information to families and self-advocates. We can’t wait for you to listen!
Before joining CIP in 2018, Mary worked for twenty years in the field of post-secondary education as an instructor and administrator. She served as adjunct faculty at several colleges and universities in the northeast. Mary also worked as Director of Federal Relations at SUNY-Binghamton and Director of Community and Government Relations at Salve Regina University. For the past two years, Mary has served as the Admissions Coordinator at CIP’s Berkshire location.
As she joins the National Team at CIP, Mary brings with her a passion for working with students with learning differences and a desire to communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
Listen to the full episode below or you can find us on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!
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As Annette mentions in the intro, she recently purchased a building in Massachusetts. As of January 1, 2022, Special Needs Companies, Special Needs Law Group and Special Needs Family Services will all be housed in this new location. They will be working with designers and contractors to create a family-friendly environment that is special needs accessible. Annette wants to hear from you – what is something you would like to see or something that would make your visit more comfortable when you visit a professional’s office. Of course, they will focus on ramps and more handicapped parking but are there other items that you would like to see or were maybe lacking in your last visit to a professional’s office? Please reach out HERE and let us know!
For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about – Contact Us!
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Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.