Nearly 30 middle and high school students with hearing loss and visual impairments toured the Westmoreland County Community College’s Advanced Technology Center in East Huntingdon recently to experience the classrooms and labs.

Burrell, Derry Area, Greater Latrobe, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield Area, Kiski Area, Ligonier Valley, New Kensington-Arnold, Norwin, Southmoreland and Yough school districts participated. The tour focused on preparing students for the transition from high school to college or employment, said Elizabeth Young, educational audiologist for the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit.

“Collectively, (the students) were excited to see something new,” Young said, particularly for students interested in a hands-on vocational school.

The tour was organized through the unit’s Building Experience Student Transition program, Young said, which is available to Westmoreland County students in grades seven through 12 who receive hearing or vision support.

The center frequently hosts tours to teach students about higher education for hands-on learners, said director Becky Parker.

“(We) show them that there is a college so close to them that has a manufacturing and technology program — that it’s a location where they can start and then transfer if they want to do that,” Parker said.

Students also saw a presentation by Lauren Eichler, disability counselor at the technology center, on disability laws, self-advocacy and accommodations for students with disabilities in higher education — including extra time for testing and help with note taking.

“Get comfortable talking about your disability so that you can self-advocate to ensure your needs are met,” Eichler said to the students.

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