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The Bridges Program includes a variety of special education transition services with an emphasis on community-based instruction for young adults aged 18-22. The previous program was housed within one of the district's high schools, which limited the services that the district was able to provide. Niles THSD worked with Studio GC to create a new Adult Transition Center that gives the young adult learners a space that is truly their own. The new center for the students was designed with their needs in mind as every decision was made. From the overall layout to the acoustics and lighting and the finishes and color palette, the Bridges staff, Administration, and the Studio GC design team ensured that inclusivity and student agency were celebrated.
In 2022, a pioneering partnership between the team and Target led to the creation of a 2,700-square-foot Superstore Lab designed to equip students with vocational, social, and emotional skills for retail employment. This simulated store mimics a real Target, built and stocked by local Target employees. Students engage in hands-on activities like stocking shelves, processing orders, and using retail POS systems, all while learning to maintain a clean store environment. As the first public-private partnership of its kind in the nation, the Target Lab supports young adults with disabilities, providing a realistic and supportive setting for their development and success in the workforce.
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