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Grab ’n Go

Teachers Café at
University of Cincinnati:

Café with

a Cause

eachers Café at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio not programs are, that we would just incorporate their students
T only provides the campus community with grab ’n go into running the café on a day-to-day operation basis,” said
options, it also offers those with special needs important em- Cameron McAdams, director of operations.
ployment experience. The Transition & Access Program (TAP) offers students
Dining Services, operated by Aramark, has partnered with with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities — including
the Advancement and Transition Services Program to provide Down syndrome, autism, and Asperger syndrome — an au-
work experience for young people and adults with a wide range thentic, non-degreed college experience. Students live in their
of intellectual and developmental disabilities. It began at the own dorm, attend classes, train in professional internships and
café, which is located in the newly renovated Teachers/Dyer participate in an active social life. When students complete
Complex for the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and the four-year program, a bridge from high school to adult-
Human Services (CECH). hood, they accrue college credits, receive a certificate and are
“When we talked about opening the café over there, I was competitively set for employment.
meeting with the leaders of the College of Education, and we TAP students are invited to attend classes five days a week
all came to the conclusion that it would be a great idea, because in university classrooms that are rigorous, but manageable,
the café is located in the heart of where their special needs promote critical thinking and provide accommodation when
necessary.
“Part of their program is
job-training skills, so this is
a great opportunity to have a
location right there with our
staff side-by-side giving them
skills for beyond their time at
UC, as well,” said Katy Wahlke,
program director with Dining
Services.
When the program started,
the special needs trainees had
to be job-coached or have a life
coach alongside them during
each shift. “We have gotten to
a point where they have become
so acclimated and so well ad-
justed within their positions and
employment within those loca-
tions, that they are independently
working with just our supervi-
sory staff at those sites,” said
Robert Daniel, café manager.
The partnership with Dining
has been so successful that it has
expanded to other locations, and
trainees have gone on to employ-
ment with Aramark on campus.

10 | MAY 2017 ON-CAMPUS HOSPITALITY