Special needs housing community at Southern Wesleyan

Southern Wesleyan University announced the development this week of the first phase of a special needs housing community representing a new type of living/learning community.  The aim is to prepare residents with special needs and disabilities for more independent lives.  Phase I of the community consists of 9,371 square-feet of ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) compliant apartment-style living space to be built on 3.4 acres of university property located between Wesleyan Drive and College Street. The $1.7 million phase is a partnership between Southern Wesleyan and the Disabilities and Special Needs Boards of Pickens and Anderson Counties, The South Carolina Board of Disabilities and Special Needs and several other supporters.  In the Phase I project design is one four-bedroom unit, seven two-bedroom units, two one-bedroom units, staff facilities and common space. Also included will be a one-quarter mile walking trail and a covered van drop-off. Completion is expected by August 2017. Elaine Thena, executive director of Pickens County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs, said that the special needs housing community will offer “all kinds of unique opportunities” for people with special needs and disabilities, including access to Catbus (Clemson Area Transit), providing a means to go shopping, to the movies, and other places without having to rely on someone else to take them there.