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Wayfinders at Fresno State

About Us

We believe...

We believe that young adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities have a right to post-secondary education along with their peers.  We believe that they have the same rights to life-long learning. 

We believe that students with developmental/intellectual disabilities never stop learning and are capable of learning meaningful information that will provide lifelong enjoyment. By providing them with campus inclusion as well as community and vocational exploration they will become tomorrow’s citizens, employees, and advocates. 

We believe that students of the Wayfinders program will become contributing members of their community thereby breaking the cycle of needing public assistance and/or life-long responsibility by extended family.  We celebrate the fact that all students have unique abilities and gifts to offer the communities in which they will reside.

We believe that persons with disabilities have the right to choose their life and direct their future.

Our Mission

The Wayfinders mission is to provide person-centered supports and services which advance self-determination, quality of life and life-long learning for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Students of Wayfinders achieve their potential through campus inclusion experiences, independent living arrangements, and vocation placements both on and off campus.

Our Vision

Our vision is that students who complete Wayfinders will have productive and fulfilling lives in the settings of their choosing.

Our Philosophy

At Wayfinders we adhere closely to the Person-Centered Planning model. Person-centered planning attempts to identify and highlight the unique talents, gifts, and capabilities inherent in everyone. The planning focuses on the individual and his/her strengths, preferences, interests and needs (SPINs). It involves a whole team of family members, friends, professionals, and student. The team members are chosen by the student to help identify skills and abilities which can help achieve goals of competitive employment, independent living, continuing education and full inclusion in the community. The team then identifies where the student may need assistance and support and how to meet those needs.

Post-Program Outcomes

  • 72% living independently
  • 74% in paid employment
  • 78% in continuing education

 

Wayfinders Logo

Wayfinders is a vendor that contracts with various regional centers in California for the provision of services to consumers. The following website and phone number may be used to obtain information regarding the appeals process that you may pursue with the California Department of Developmental Services if you have a dispute in connection with those services:

Website address: www.dds.ca.gov/general/appeals-complaints-comments/

Department of Developmental Services telephone number: (915) 654-1987