About CAPRA

The College Access Project for Rural Alaska (CAPRA) is a collaborative project between the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Center for Human Development (UAA-CHD) and Disability Support Services (UAA-DSS). The project’s mission is to provide professional development opportunities designed to increase the capacity of small rural university campuses to insure individuals with disabilities receive a higher quality post secondary education. CAPRA and UAA-DSS personnel, using a “train-the-trainer” model, instruct site-based teams in southcentral Alaska to offer training and technical assistance to 200 adjunct and full-time faculty members during its three-year grant period.

Facilitator teams located on UAA extended rural campuses advance faculty knowledge in four key areas: disability awareness and etiquette, legal mandates and their interpretation, Universal Design of Instruction and, accessible course delivery options. Building on existing knowledge, skills, interests and attitudes, a series of training modules provides workshop facilitators and participants with strategies for reducing barriers to university programs and services. The project provides training and technical assistance to adjunct and full-time faculty, local school professionals, and community representatives to make their academic content, course requirements, and program services accessible using universal course design principles and proven effective instructional strategies.

During its first year (2005-6), CAPRA and UAA-DSS personnel offered training and support to two extended campuses of Kenai Peninsula College located in southcentral Alaska (i.e., Kenai River Campus and Kachemak Bay Campus). During the grant’s second year (2006-7), training expanded to UAA’s Matanuska-Susitna College (UAA-MSC) and three campuses of Prince William Sound Community College (i.e., PWSCC - Valdez, PWSCC-Cordova, and PWSCC-Copper Basin campuses). Finally, grant activities will continue and spread knowledge, skills, dispositions, and capacity by infusing information throughout each campus during its last year (2007-8).

CAPRA Evolution

CAPRA Project: Dr. N. Jill Wheeler, Center for Human Development, UAA, 2702 Gambell St, Ste. 103, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 907-264-6275 Toll-free: 1-800-243-2199 Fax: 907-274-4802

Center for Human Development • UAA Disability Support Services

CAPRA is a grant from the U.S. Department of Education – Office of Postsecondary Education funded project development and delivery. CAPRA (PR# P333A050050) is funded entirely by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Demonstration Projects to Ensure Students With Disabilities Receive a Quality Higher Education Program (CFDA 84.333). Project materials do not necessarily represent the policy of DOE nor should users assume endorsement by the Federal government. During the three year project period (10/1/2005 – 9/30/2008), the Center for Human Development - University of Alaska Anchorage expects to receive $751,544.