FOLEY, Ala. — The transition that any student makes during their first year of college can be nerve wracking. But the added obstacle of a disability can make it seem like going off to a foreign land.

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services recognized that extra pressure. They have introduced a program in Baldwin County to help alleviate anxiety of either attending college or getting into the workforce.

With 15 years of offering the program in Mobile under its belt, a branch of ADRS, Vocational Rehabilitation Service, decided to try their first year in Baldwin County. The program took place at the University of South Alabama's Fairhope campus and benefited graduated students from all over South Baldwin.

Becky Fields, a transition specialist for ADRS and the program director, said that the focus of the recent program was to assist students who have graduated from high school with a diploma and are planning to attend a post-secondary or technical school. It's objective was to expose students to activities to assist them to be prepared for college.

"You have to be an advocate for yourself," said Fields. "I work helping to assist students with disabilities to acquire skills, training and whatever their needs are to be independent and successful."

From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for two weeks, 13 students attended classes, took notes and tests, all to educate themselves on how to handle their disability at work or college.

"It helped them to look at the environment of being on a college campus and the realities of going off to college and living on their own," she said. "One of the major things that we do is provide opportunities for the students to identify specific strategies and accommodations that they will need when they go off to college."

From the college-setting lecture classes to the ability to provide the students with the experience of being on a college campus, the participants were able to get a preview of what's ahead.

Lectures included those on time management, organization, test taking and other subjects like career exploration. Social interaction is also addressed, which Fields said is a necessary topic to work on for students with disabilities.

Foley High School graduate, Adrienne Metoxen, lives with Attention Deficit Disorder. She said she decided to take part in the program to help her be successful in college with ADD.

"I can't sit in a room and there be noise off in the distance," said Metoxen, explaining that her attention immediately shifts to the origin of the noise.

"Before I came to this course I had trouble with procrastination, trouble organizing things. I had some trouble test taking," she said of what the courses have helped her focus in on and overcome.

"The transition between high school and college is tough for a normal student," said Metoxen, who plans to study clinical psychology. "If I hadn't had this two week course I probably wouldn't have even made it a month in college, but with what they've taught me here I think I can make it."

While this is the first year for Vocational Rehabilitation Service to offer the college preparation program in Baldwin County, ADRS has been offering their services to Baldwin County for years. However, Fields said that a lot of students and parents don’t realize that these types of services are available.

She said that to become a recipient, students are usually recognized by the school counselor. From there, one of the three ADRS counselors who work within the schools begins work with the student.

ADRS funds services to students suffering with a disability, and to be a consumer of ADRS students are able to take part in programs like this one.

For more information about ADRS and its programs contact the department at 251-479-8611 or go to the Web site, www.rehab.state.al.us.