About Ala Costa Centers
Our Philosophy
Neurodiversity Model Of Education
Within a neurodiversity model of education participants are treated as adults with individual rights, responsibilities, boundaries, and dreams for the future. Intellectually/developmentally disabled people are not seen as a problem to "fix", "cure" or
"normalize". Instead, we see people as having a variety of brains and cognition that are all valid. Ala Costa staff presume that each individual participant has strengths and the capacity to learn and grow.
[image description] A student sits at a table and smiles up at the camera. He is wearing noise canceling earphones, and spreading peanut butter on a piece of bread. He is volunteering at City Team in Oakland
Community Inclusion
The goal of inclusion is not to make the disability or the disabled person invisible. Traditionally, intellectually and developmentally disabled people are only included if they can act or appear “normal”. We reject this idea, believing that community spaces belong to all of us, as we are. Our participants navigating public transit, volunteer at local non profits, learn to cook and exploring their interests at local businesses, libraries, art classes, museums, parks and more.
[Image description] Five students stand on the BART train together looking towards the camera and smiling.
Self Determination
Opportunities for participants to learn self determination skills are naturally woven in throughout the day as students navigate community life. Self determination skills are: Choice-making, decision-making, problem-solving, goal setting and attainment, self-regulation, self-advocacy, self-awareness, and self-efficacy
To learn self determination participants need real world, real-time hands on experiences and just as importantly, they need space to try things for themselves.​
[Image description] The image depicts a student wearing a hat and blue shorts. He is facing the camera. He holds a shovel as he turns a pile at mulch at an urban farm where he volunteers.
Photography by Jamie Meronk and Ala Costa Centers