Paraquad’s Adult Continuing Education Classes
Paraquad’s Continuing Education classes provide adults with disabilities an outlet to develop independent living skills. These classes give each person information they may otherwise not come across in day-to-day life. We’ve registered nearly 60 participants across five of our adult Continuing Education classes — but we’re always looking for more.
Read on to learn more about participant requirements, current classes for adults with disabilities and how you can get started.
Adult Continuing Education Requirements
Paraquad tailors our in-person classes to a specific demographic that may need more support in developing independent living skills. Currently, our participants must:
Live in St. Louis City or St. Louis County
Be 18 or older
Have a diagnosed and documented developmental disability, such as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy or autism, that appeared before the age of 22
Need individually planned and coordinated services
Not be in high school
For those who cannot self-transport, we provide rides to and from our adult Continuing Education classes.
Book Club
Paraquad’s evening Book Club gives participants of all levels the chance to read and learn at their own pace. They have full reign to read how they want, but our staff is available to talk them over hurdles such as challenging words. As we read, the group discusses the contents of each chapter, feelings about the story and predictions for what will come next.
Our past book selections have included:
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Book Club is one of our most popular classes for adults with disabilities — and some people greatly progress in their reading abilities in a short time. One participant was barely reading at the start of the semester, but now he flies through each assignment.
Keeping the Job
Paraquad’s evening Keeping the Job class is for students who want to work or are already actively working. This adult Continuing Education class explains to participants how to act on the job, navigate work relationships, find transportation options and more.
Course instructors use role-playing to teach valuable skills. For example, one participant will act as the boss while another will act as the employee. Through hands-on activities and presentations, they learn how to be successful employees long-term.
Our participants have gone on to do great things — one participant earned an employee of the month award within six months of securing her job.
Cooking Everyday Meals
Paraquad’s evening cooking course is one of our most popular classes for adults with disabilities. Instructors teach students how to prepare everyday meals through hands-on experiences in every aspect of the dish, from seasoning to cooking. Paraquad provides all ingredients and equipment needed for this adult Continuing Education class, including tabletop grills, hotplates, pots and pans.
Many recipes are pared down to make it easier for participants to complete. For example, we’ve made strawberry shortcake using just three ingredients — Twinkies with grooves, strawberries and whipped topping. Additional dishes we have tried include:
Cheeseburgers
Green beans
Macaroni and cheese
Ham and cheese sandwiches
Computer Classes
Our evening computer classes vary each semester, but the teacher is the same across all levels. Paraquad offers three levels, including:
Computer I: This level teaches students the arrangement of the standard keyboard on a computer, also known as QWERTY. Instructors help each class learn where to place their hands and how to use the keyboard properly.
Computer II: This level teaches students how to research things on the internet, type longer entries and access games.
Computer III: This level teaches students how to type long letters, use Microsoft Word features and print out papers.
Sexual Health and Healthy Relationships
Paraquad’s Sexual Health and Healthy Relationships class is currently our only day adult Continuing Education class. Over four weeks, participants learn about different kinds of relationships. Our goal is to keep people with disabilities knowledgeable and safe as they pursue friendships, romantic relationships and more.
Our presentations include information about:
Appropriate public and private behavior
Responsible sexual behavior
Avoiding sexual exploitation
Proper hygiene
Sexually transmitted diseases
Reproduction
Safe sex practices
Continue Your Education with Paraquad
Classes for adults with disabilities vary by semester, but registration is always on a first-come, first-served basis. New participants must complete a brief intake process at Paraquad before enrollment — expect about 15-20 minutes for paperwork!
For more information on current adult Continuing Education offerings, call Everlene Falconer at 314-289-4251, or email us at contactus@paraquad.org.
