The Peer Companion Program: An Experiential Learning Opportunity

Abstract

It is believed that by providing university students with knowledge about people who are marginalized in society, in combination with opportunities to interact positively with them, feelings of unease and stereotypical thinking are diminished. Experiential opportunities can also support students' academic and professional development as advocates for community inclusion. The Peer Companion Program (PCP) was designed as part of an undergraduate university course in recreation to initiate peer relationships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 2002, the PCP has required approximately 50–70 students per semester to spend 15 hr of field experience with a carefully matched participant with a disability over a 12-week period. With support from student facilitators, myriad outcomes have been observed and reported, including clarification of career paths, increased understanding of course concepts, and more effective advocacy for inclusive service delivery. Participants with disabilities have reported a broad range of benefits as well.

Keywords:

• Buddy program
• experiential learning
• friendship
• inclusion
• intellectual/developmental disability