Living Skills Classes

Living Skills Classes 

Students will have opportunities to engage in peer interactions and cultivate personal, vocational, and social skills through these courses. Additionally, students will explore community resources that are available to them.  

These courses are all completely free to students, there are no registration fees. We offer several of these courses every term--fall, spring, and summer. Check the CR course schedule for current scheduling details or contact the SASS office to learn more about these courses. 

GUID 206: Basic Computer Skills for Students with Disabilities 

A course designed for students with developmental or learning disabilities. Students will learn skills necessary for computer use. 

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferrable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes: 
  • Describe the purpose of different computer programs.
  • Demonstrate the ability to operate computer programs.
  • Demonstrate the ability to utilize the Internet, websites, and search engines.

GUID 207: Life Management & Career Preparation for Students with Disabilities 

A course geared for students with developmental or learning disabilities. Students will learn to promote independence by learning everyday-living skills in such areas as nutrition, personal development, mental health, safety, and career preparation. 

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Describe the basic steps in getting a job. 
  • Describe two ways of being safe at home or in the community.
  • Identify two community resources and explain what they have to offer.

GUID 208: Functional Money Skills for Students with Disabilities 

A noncredit course designed for students with developmental or learning disabilities. Students learn skills necessary for performing accurate money exchanges, including counting money and solving real-life shopping and budgeting problems involving money. 

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Identify currency in terms of value, coins and bills.
  • Apply money skills in a shopping experience at a store.
  • Count money and solve money-related math problems.

 GUID 209: Social Opportunities for Students with Disabilities 

A course designed to help students with disabilities learn how to create social lives for themselves. Students learn how to meet people, engage in discussion, make friends, identify low-cost activities, participate in age-appropriate games with other students, practice social manners, as well as plan and carry out a social event. 

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Demonstrate appropriate social behaviors for a variety of settings.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate and low-cost activities.
  • Demonstrate how to host a party/get-together.

GUID 210: Survival Vocabulary & Basic Literacy for Students with Disabilities 

A noncredit course designed for adults with disabilities to learn survival vocabulary, reading, and writing skills.

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Demonstrate an increase in vocabulary.
  • Demonstrate an improved level of writing skills.
  • Demonstrate an improved level of reading skills. 

GUID 211: Community Resources for Students with Disabilities 

A noncredit class for students with developmental or learning disabilities. Students will learn skills necessary to independently take part in typical community activities by traveling to various area locations. Lessons learned in the classroom will be practiced in the community. Students will provide their own transportation on field trips. 

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Demonstrate ability to participate appropriately in community activities.
  • Demonstrate ability to take public transportation.
  • Demonstrate ability to use a simple map or directory. 

GUID 230: Cooking and Kitchen Safety for Students with Disabilities

A noncredit course for students with disabilities to learn essential cooking skills and safe kitchen practices. Students will learn basic food preparation, proper use of kitchen tools, and techniques to prevent accidents while cooking. Instruction is hands-on, multisensory, and planned using universal design for learning to support diverse learners. Emphasis is placed on developing independence, confidence, and safe habits in the kitchen. Students should have an interest in cooking and a willingness to follow safety guidelines.

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Identify and mitigate potential kitchen hazards.
  • Follow step-by-step recipes using accessible techniques.
  • Safely operate kitchen appliances with appropriate adaptations.
  • Implement food safety measures to prevent illness.
  • Demonstrate emergency response skills for common kitchen accidents.
  • Show increased independence and confidence in cooking tasks.
  • Demonstrate progress toward goals identified in Measurable Progress Document.

GUID 231: ServSafe Food Handler Training & Exam for Students with Disabilities

A noncredit course designed for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn the content of the ServSafe® Food Handler exam that is needed in order to work in the food industry. ServSafe® training provides information that every foodservice professional must know about, such as food hazards and proper food handling practices in order to keep food safe in a public establishment. The ServSafe® Food Handler class helps students master the food safety concepts and competencies needed for food safety training and assessment.

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Understand the risks associated with improper food handling and the impact on public health.
  • Demonstrate proper personal hygiene practices to prevent foodborne illness.
  • Understand and implement practices to avoid cross-contamination, especially between raw and ready-to-eat foods.
  • Differentiate between cleaning and sanitizing and use appropriate chemicals and techniques for each task.
  • Demonstrate progress toward goals identified in Measurable Progress Document. 

GUID 232: Horticulture Practices for Students with Disabilities

This noncredit course is designed for students with developmental or learning disabilities to explore fundamental horticultural techniques. Through interactive, hands-on activities, students will gain basic knowledge about plant anatomy and physiology, soil management, plant propagation, and garden maintenance. The curriculum is structured to equip students with practical knowledge and skills, laying the groundwork for potential employment opportunities within the horticultural sector.

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Identify and describe basic plant structure.
  • Demonstrate soil preparation techniques.
  • Apply plant propagation methods.
  • Implement plant care practices.
  • Utilize horticultural tools safely.
  • Demonstrate progress toward goals identified in Measurable Progress Document.

GUID 233: Professional Animal Care for Students with Disabilities

Professional Animal Care is a noncredit course designed for students with learning differences or disabilities who want to develop entry-level skills in animal care and handling within a professional setting. Students will learn to work with animals safely, calmly, and sensitively while identifying their needs. Instruction is multisensory, multimodal, and incorporates universal design for learning to support diverse learners. Hands-on experience and practical training will help prepare students for employment in animal-related fields. Students should have a strong interest in working with animals, basic reading skills, basic writing skills, basic computer skills, and attention to detail.

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Identify key physical and behavioral characteristics of common domestic animals.
  • Demonstrate correct handling techniques for at least three species.
  • Feed animals according to species-specific instructions.
  • Clean and maintain animal living areas.
  • Explain and follow basic safety procedures for themselves and animals.
  • Demonstrate progress toward goals identified in Measurable Progress Document.

GUID 234: Health & Wellness for Students with Disabilities

A noncredit course in personal health and wellness for students with developmental disabilities. Students will explore a wide range of topics that support overall well-being, including nutrition, physical health, sleep habits, illness prevention, stress management, mental health, neurodiversity, sexual health, healthy relationships, and self-advocacy. Through engaging discussions and interactive activities, the course promotes a deeper understanding of personal wellness and empowers students to make informed, healthy choices in their daily lives.

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Demonstrate healthy daily habits and personal safety practices related to nutrition, hygiene, sleep, physical activity, illness prevention, and sexual health.
  • Use strategies to support emotional and mental well-being, including stress management, understanding neurodiversity, and recognizing when to seek help.
  • Communicate effectively and advocate for personal needs by practicing self-advocacy, setting boundaries, and building respectful, healthy relationships.
  • Demonstrate progress toward goals identified in Measurable Progress Document.

GUID 241: Noncredit Work Experience Education for Students with Disabilities

This noncredit course is designed to help students with developmental disabilities gain valuable vocational experiences through an internship placement in a work-based setting to prepare them for future employment. Students will learn on-the-job skills from their supervisor at their site placement and the course instructor and community agency staff will provide job coaching, goal development, and soft skills training. Internship placements with local employers will be arranged by the instructor or a community agency. Internships will be unpaid unless the employer or a community agency provide wages. 

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Communicate effectively in professional settings by interacting appropriately with instructors, employers, coworkers, and the public, and by clearly expressing needs, accommodations, and requests for clarification.
  • Demonstrate professional competencies and teamwork skills through active participation in on-the-job experiences and collaboration with others in the workplace.
  • Demonstrate progress toward goals identified in Measurable Progress Document.
  • Assess personal performance and workplace effectiveness by evaluating progress toward goals on Measurable Progress Document and reflecting on the value of the worksite and program.

GUID 245: Feel Good and Stay Healthy

A course in personal health and wellness. Topics such as diet, exercise, sleep habits, illness prevention, stress management, sexual health, emotional well-being and how to stay safe will be discussed and explored.

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Identify personal health habits and modify behavior in areas of nutrition, exercise, stress, and relationships. 

GUID 252: Communication through Adapted Art 

A course for students with disabilities that focuses on how art can be used to communicate ideas and feelings. Projects are presented at a level commensurate with individual student abilities. A variety of media and the proper use of art materials is explored both in one-on-one and small group settings. 

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transferable: Not transferable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeatability: Unlimited repeats
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Interact with students and express ideas in class.
  • Use materials and equipment correctly and appropriately.
  • Create 2D and 3D art representations.
  • Plan and create artwork using knowledge of color.
  • Explain or demonstrate how art functions as communication. 

PE 298: Adaptive Physical Education

A comprehensive fitness course designed for students with disabilities. This is an activity course which allows for access to adaptive physical education. Contractual goals will be set between instructor and student. The major components of this activity lab may include but are not limited to: cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility-range of motion, lifetime fitness programs, and general strength training. 

• Grading: Satisfactory
• Transfer status: Not transferrable
• Units: 0 (noncredit course)
• Repeat status: students may complete this course an unlimited number of times.
• Student learning outcomes:
  • Enhance cardiovascular endurance. 
  • Analyze and demonstrate safe use and correct posture during use of exercise equipment. 
  • Work to fulfill individual goals determined in pre-semester assessment.
  • Enhance flexibility and range of motion.
  • Enhance strength, especially around joints, that will aid with mobility and independence.