Summer Leadership Program

ABSTRACT – Summer Leadership Experience The Summer Leadership Experience (SLE) Camp is an annual summer transitions camp offered by UK-HDI and sponsored by the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). The SLE camp attracts high school students with disabilities throughout Kentucky. Campers are typically upperclassmen, those students entering their junior or senior year, or those graduating with articulated plans to continue their education beyond high school and leading to careers. Campers attend a 4-day camp during the summer semester at the University of Kentucky. As a part of the full postsecondary experience, campers stay overnight in a UK residence hall for 3 nights. Campers engage in interactive, informational sessions and have direct contact with speakers including those from Kentucky postsecondary institutions, relevant organizations and services and receive motivation and encouragement from speakers with disabilities. Postsecondary institutions and programs represented at camp include UK, WKU, EKU, BCTC, Carl D. Perkins Rehabilitation Center, and Sullivan College. Campers learn about services and assistance from OVR, KHEAA, and have interactive sessions with disability resource center providers, a panel of college students with disabilities and learn how to use assistive technology needed for college success.