EAGLES, Department of Housing and Residence Life hosting panel discussion Thursday

Published: March 29, 2022

Article body

The Auburn Family and general public are invited to attend a panel discussion hosted by the EAGLES Program and the Department of Housing and Residence Life this Thursday, March 31, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Aubie Hall 139 titled “Facilitating Inclusion: An Overview of the EAGLES Program & A Little Something Extra Ice Cream.”

The panelists are Betty Patten, director of the Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success, or EAGLES, Program, and Assistant Clinical Professor Michelle Norwood, owner of A Little Something Extra Ice Cream—a mobile ice cream business created to give social experiences, along with life skills and work skills, to people with disabilities. Patten will provide an overview of the EAGLES Program on the Auburn University campus.

EAGLES is a comprehensive transition program, or CTP, for students with intellectual disabilities. The program provides a post-secondary education opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities to engage in a two- or four-year campus experience to help students achieve their employment and independent living goals upon successful completion of the program.

Norwood will discuss how her business was initially created as a job opportunity for her son, who has Down syndrome. Now, A Little Something Extra has grown trains and employs adults with intellectual and physical exceptionalities. The ice cream truck is used to teach social skills, life skills and employment skills for her employees. Ice cream treats will be provided to those who attend.

For additional information, contact Paul Harris at paul.harris@auburn.edu.

Submitted by: Paul Harris