ABSTRACT
The program focuses on the study of developmental disabilities by having students work with children and adults with disabilities while simultaneously conducting related research under the direction of faculty sponsors. The longevity and success of the program are primarily due to the shared dedication of faculty, community partners, students, and staff in supporting and reinforcing its mission. Developmental Disabilities Immersion Program (DDIP) provides a unique opportunity for the assessment of a service-learning program because it has been in existence for more than 20 years. Another difficult challenge in program assessment has been that standard course evaluations do not address the fundamental question of how the overall program format affected commitment to service. Currently, DDIP is as much a product of its own evolution as it is a program conceived from theoretical or paradigmatic principles. There has been concern about how well it would generalize to other disciplinary focuses or other institutions.
