Clients who are enrolled in ACCESS Life, along with their families, must abide by the policies and procedures outlined below. If you have questions about any of these items, please contact the program director.
Welcome to ACCESS Life, a day program for adults with disabilities. We are so glad you’re here! ACCESS Life is more than just a day program. It’s a community where adults with disabilities can build skills, form friendships, explore interests, and participate fully in the world around them.
This handbook is designed to help clients and their support teams (parents, guardians, legal representatives, caregivers) understand our daily operations, expectations, and policies. We ask that all clients and their support teams follow these guidelines to maintain a safe, respectful, and engaging environment for everyone.
Our goal is to ensure every ACCESS Life client has the opportunity to thrive while maintaining the positive and supportive dynamic of our group. If the criteria below appear to be met, the prospective client will be invited to participate in a one-week trial visit to determine if the program is the right fit for both the individual and the group as a whole.
Participants must be able to demonstrate:
ACCESS Life may be funded through:
Additional fees may apply for certain activities or services and may not be covered by ARS or CES Waiver.
ACCESS Life operates year-round, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Clients may attend on a full-time or part-time basis.
To get the most from the program, participants are expected to attend at least 80% of their scheduled program days. We understand that absences may occur due to illness, family responsibilities, or other unavoidable circumstances. When an absence is necessary, we ask that families notify the program by calling an ACCESS Life cell phone as soon as possible. Regular attendance helps clients:
Attendance is reviewed on a quarterly basis. If attendance falls below 80%, staff will meet with the client and their support team to discuss any barriers and identify solutions or additional supports. If attendance does not improve after these efforts, continued participation in the program may be re-evaluated.
By maintaining regular attendance, clients strengthen their routines, increase independence, and remain fully engaged in the ACCESS Life community.
Drop-off and pick-up must be arranged within these time frames. Clients cannot be on campus without supervision. Please ensure that a staff member is present and has checked in your young adult before you leave campus.
For safety, anyone picking up a client must be on the client’s approved list. Staff may request a photo ID to verify identity if the individual is on the approved list, but not personally known to staff. If someone not on the list arrives to pick up, staff will contact the guardian for confirmation before release.
ACCESS Life’s schedule is active and time sensitive. Late arrivals and early departures can impact client participation. Please communicate with staff in advance so schedules can be adjusted accordingly.
In the event of closures, late starts, or early dismissals:
At ACCESS Life, we want clients to feel connected, engaged, and focused on their peers and the experiences around them. To support this, personal electronic devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and gaming devices) may not be used during program hours. Devices should be turned off when clients arrive and stored in their locker. These guidelines help create a safe and respectful environment where in-person interaction and active participation come first.
If a client has difficulty following the device policy, the following steps will be taken to support success:
ACCESS Life offers a wide variety of on-campus and community experiences designed to build independence, strengthen social skills, and encourage real-world learning. Clients regularly participate in vocational training, fitness, shopping, volunteering, and other activities that support personal growth and engagement.
For safety, clients are expected to remain with staff and follow instructions during all outings. If concerns arise about a client’s ability to safely participate, community activities may be adjusted or temporarily paused until it is determined that the client is ready to rejoin.
At enrollment, guardians are invited to sign a media release allowing ACCESS to photograph or video clients during programming activities for internal projects, demonstrations, and marketing. If a signed release is not on file, clients will be offered an alternative to participating in photo or video opportunities and may be asked to step aside during group photos to protect privacy.
To update or change a client’s media release status, contact the front office at 501-217-8600.
ACCESS Life is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment. To promote safety, accountability, and program quality, ACCESS reserves the right to use video cameras in instructional and therapy areas. Cameras are never placed in restrooms, locker rooms, or other private spaces. Cameras, when in use, are intended solely for safety monitoring, staff development, and quality assurance purposes.
Video recordings are considered confidential. Access to recordings is limited to ACCESS administrators and supervisors, but recordings may also be shared for legitimate program purposes such as:
Recordings are not used for marketing or publicity.
We welcome interest from families, community members, and educators who want to learn more about ACCESS Life. Tours may be arranged by calling 501-217-8600.
ACCESS Life is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and engaging environment for all participants. We believe everyone deserves to feel valued, supported, and included. Our expectations are grounded in:
Positive, respectful interactions help everyone feel safe. All physical contact must be:
Any sexualized or inappropriate touching is strictly prohibited.
Staff model appropriate interactions by asking before touching, respecting a “no” the first time, and offering positive alternatives (e.g., “Let’s wave instead of a hug.”).
All clients are expected to:
ACCESS Life is committed to supporting every client’s success. However, certain behaviors may require suspension or dismissal if they create ongoing safety risks or significantly disrupt the program. These include:
Each situation will be reviewed carefully, and dismissal recommendations will be reviewed and determined by the Administrative Review Team. Whenever possible, the program team will work with the client and guardian to support safe participation, plan transitions, and provide referrals for additional resources. Dismissal is always considered a last resort, taken only when safety or program integrity cannot be maintained through other supports.
ACCESS Life’s approach to discipline prioritizes teaching, prevention, and support, while ensuring a safe environment for all participants and staff. When corrective actions are needed, they are always paired with strategies that help clients learn and succeed.
Behaviors are addressed in four progressive levels, beginning with redirection and coaching and moving toward suspension or dismissal only when necessary. This structure ensures fairness, consistency, and opportunities for growth.
ACCESS Life’s goal is always to use discipline as an opportunity for growth, learning, and building new skills – not just correction.
Clear, consistent communication between families, support teams, and ACCESS Life staff helps ensure that each client’s experience is safe, engaging, and aligned with their goals. We encourage open dialogue while respecting staff schedules and program time.
Each fall, ACCESS Life Instructors meet with each client’s guardian(s) and support team to review vocational and independent living goals, align services with current needs and priorities, and identify strategies for collaboration across settings. Additional conferences may be scheduled at any time if needed.
ParentSquare is our primary communication tool.
Meetings may be requested at any time.
Deadlines are important for participation.
Program-related communication should occur through approved channels.
By using approved communication channels, respecting deadlines, and collaborating regularly, families and support teams help maintain a smooth, safe, and productive program experience for all clients.
ACCESS Life is committed to ensuring that every client, family member, and visitor is treated with fairness, respect, and dignity. If you ever have a concern, disagreement, or feel dissatisfied with any aspect of our services, we want to hear from you. Our grievance process is designed to provide a clear, respectful, and timely way to address concerns.
Written grievances may be submitted in person, by email, or by mail. If assistance is needed, staff will help complete a written grievance statement.
To help keep our program participants healthy, clients should stay home if they have:
Clients may return when they have been:
If a client becomes ill during the day:
In a medical emergency, ACCESS Life staff will:
To ensure safety and transparency, ACCESS Life documents and shares reports when certain events occur.
An incident/injury report is completed whenever:
Reports are completed on the day of the incident. Instructors prepare the report, file a copy, and provide another copy to the parent/guardian.
ACCESS Life prioritizes safety by conducting regular emergency preparedness activities.
The safety and well-being of our clients is our highest priority. ACCESS employees are mandated reporters of suspected adult maltreatment and neglect. If staff have reasonable cause to suspect maltreatment or neglect, they are required to make an immediate report to the Adult Maltreatment Hotline at 1-800-482-8049. A written report is then filed with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and kept in a confidential program file (separate from the client’s medical record).
Per DHS regulations, clients may be interviewed at any time by Adult Protective Services (APS), Special Investigations, or law enforcement for investigative or licensing-compliance purposes. These interviews do not require prior notice to, or consent from, a parent or guardian.
Mandated reporting is a safeguard designed to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of every client we serve.
Confidential client files are kept in a locked room within the administrative office or stored in the electronic records system.
ACCESS is dedicated to protecting each client’s health information as required by law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). ACCESS creates and maintains records regarding services and treatment, safeguards all protected health information (PHI), and provides notice of our privacy practices. ACCESS complies with all federal and state laws and follows the ACCESS Notice of Privacy Practices.
ACCESS Life is committed to protecting the privacy of all clients while also ensuring that guardians have appropriate access to their young adult’s records.
ACCESS Life is grateful for the generosity of families and friends who choose to support our mission through fundraising efforts and in-kind donations. To keep these efforts coordinated and in line with nonprofit guidelines:
Your support, whether through time, resources, or participation, helps strengthen our programs and enrich the lives of those we serve.
The following rights apply to all ACCESS students and clients. Because this list is comprehensive across all ACCESS programs, not every item may apply in every setting.
I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the ACCESS Life Handbook. I understand that it is my responsibility to read and follow the policies outlined within. I also agree to submit my acknowledgement through ParentSquare.
I understand that this handbook is a reference guide and that I may refer to it at any time. If I have questions or need clarification regarding any of the policies or procedures, I know I can reach out to ACCESS Life staff for assistance.
I understand that policies may be updated as needed, and that I will be notified of any important changes.