University of Tennessee Martin to launch program for students with intellectual disabilities

The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging has granted funding to the University of Tennessee Martin to launch a new program, called Skyhawks Achieving In Life (SAIL), to help provide an authentic college experience for students with intellectual disabilities. The program will begin in August of 2026.

According to an article on University of Tennessee Martin’s website, Dr. Clinton Smith, who serves as the chair of the UTM Department of Educational Studies, was quoted as saying of the SAIL program, “Inclusive higher education programs foster an environment that goes beyond mere representation of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on college and university campuses. These programs help to remove barriers and provide students with IDD an opportunity to achieve their desired outcomes in a manner similar to students without disabilities.”

The Tennessee Believes grant that is funding the SAIL program will run for three years, providing UTM with a total of $387,751 divided into three chunks. The SAIL program will combine academic, social, and vocational learning for participating students and will help students foster a sense of community and belonging on campus, as well as help students work toward independence and self-advocacy. Together, these program goals will help provide participants with improved outcomes in their lives.

Additionally, participating students will be able to take part in internships and work study opportunities. Alisha Melton, the executive director of the Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development, said, “What’s exciting about this program is that it will bring in individuals who might never otherwise have the opportunity to experience life on a college campus. They will be able to work with other college students; they’re going to be involved in student organizations and clubs. They will be able to interact in a way they’ve never done before.”

The university is hopeful that the SAIL program will be beneficial for the entire university community, diversifying campus and creating community partnership opportunities.

The SAIL program will begin in August 2026, and registration begins in November 2025. Dr. Smith and Dr. Will Gibson, the manager of UTM’s disability and testing services, will work together to direct SAIL until a permanent program director comes on board in August 2025.

For more information about University of Tennessee Martin, visit the school’s website.