SAIL at UT Martin
The SAIL program will represent a transformative opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By integrating academic growth, independent living skills, and career readiness, the program will equip students with the tools necessary to achieve independence, employability, and personal fulfillment. The SAIL program is not just about education—it is about empowerment, ensuring that each student leaves with confidence, skills, and a strong foundation for lifelong success.
The SAIL program will be directed by Dr. Clinton Smith, chair of the UTM Department of Educational Studies, and Dr. Will Gibson, the manager of UTM’s disability and testing services, until a full-time director begins this August.
Smith said the program would affect participating students in four ways:
- Provide access to higher education, where those pathways were previously inaccessible. The SAIL program will combine academic, vocational and social learning.
- Bolster improved life outcomes. Research has shown that students in similar postsecondary programs have higher rates of employment, independent living and self-determination.
- Develop social integration and a sense of belonging through participation in campus life, such as clubs, classes and events, building their social-emotional growth, confidence and support networks.
- Aid in the transition to independence by emphasizing daily living skills, self-advocacy and decision-making.
The SAIL program is scheduled to begin August 1, 2026, with applications opening this November for the 2026-27 school year.
| PROGRAM FEATURES | |
|---|---|
| Program website | Info coming soon |
| Social media | Facebook and Instagram |
| Program length | Info coming soon |
| Year program started | 2026 |
| Housing offered | Info coming soon |
| Students participate in internships and other career development opportunities | Info coming soon |
| Provides access to typical college courses | Info coming soon |
| Offers courses just for students in the program | Info coming soon |
| Program engages peer mentors | Info coming soon |
| Certified Comprehensive Transition Program | Info coming soon |