E-ACOLA
(Ewha Academy for COmmunity Living of Adults with Developmental Disabilities)

2025.12.13.

1. The Beginning of E-ACOLA at Ewha in September 2001

         Ewha Academy for COmmunity Living of Adults with Developmental Disabilities (E-ACOLA) is the first college-based postsecondary education 

      and lifelong learning program designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD) in South Korea. E-ACOLA began in 2001 and

      has continued to the present as of 2026.

         The core educational goal of E-ACOLA is to enhance the independence of adults with IDD and to promote and support their participation in the

      community living. A distinct feature of the program is that university students participate in classes as volunteers. This provides enrolled students

      with opportunities to experience age-appropriate culture, explore the university campus and its surrounding environments, and engage in diverse

      interactions that improve their community living and social and communication skills.

         In Korea, special education for individuals with disabilities is provided as free and compulsory education up to high school. While public

      special education system operate postsecondary vocational programs at schools, there remains a significant lack of high-quality post-school

      lifelong learning opportunities for adults with IDD. The opportunities to learn the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for adulthood and

      community participation are limited, and high-quality, college- based postsecondary and lifelong learning programs are exceptionally scarce.

         In response to this need, Professor Seung Hee Park developed 'E-ACOLA' in September 2001 as the first college-based lifelong learning program

      for adults with IDD. Starting with the first semester(session) at Global School of Continuing Education in 2001 at Ewha Womans Univ. she has

      operated the program on an unpaid, volunteer basis for 25 years, currently running its 39th session as of the spring semester of 2026. She has

      continued her unwavering dedication to the program even after her retirement in February 2024.

         As the pioneer of college-based lifelong education programs that teach the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes required for adulthood,

      E-ACOLA has served as a positive stimulus and a model program, encouraging other lifelong education institutions to offer similar learning

      opportunities for adults with IDD.

2. Key Curriculum and Operation of the E-ACOLA Program

1) Duration and Schedule: Classes are held for 15 weeks, mirroring the regular university semester, for three hours on Saturday mornings.

2) Location: Classrooms at Global School of Continuing Education and various environments across the Ewha campus.

3) Curriculum: The curriculum for adults with IDD consists of a main lecture (1st period) and special activities (2nd period).

                          - 1st period: Focuses on a functional curriculum necessary for the community living and participation of adults with IDD

                             (e.g., 'Economic Life in Adulthood,' 'A Pause in Daily Life: Leisure Skills,' 'Functional Science').

                          - 2nd period: Involves learning through diverse activities(e.g., line dance, choir, drawing) that help students enjoy a high

                            quality of life as contributing citizens of an inclusive local community.

4) Instructors: Professor Seung Hee Park, instructors majoring in special education, and specialized instructors for the special activities.

5) Volunteers: Undergraduate and graduate students participate in classes as learning partners, supporting the enrolled students' active learning 
5) Volunteers: engagement

3. The Outcomes of the E-ACOLA Program in Numbers

 From fall semester of 2001(1st session) to spring semester of 2026(39th session)

 - total number of the enrolled students wih IDD: 634

 - total numbers of the volunteers(learning partners): 416

 - total numbers of the instructors: 80 and Professor Park

4. Current Status of the 39th E-ACOLA Program, Spring Semester of 2026

1) Curriculum & Activities: Regular classes (1st and 2nd periods), two field trips, 

                                                English conversation class by a native English instructor, 

                                                New Sports Activity by a physical education instructor and 

                                                Parent Seminar(a special lecture on Adult Guardianship)

                                                - 39th E-ACOLA, 1st period class: ‘Self-Determination, Like This!’
                                                - 39th E-ACOLA, 2nd period class: ‘Happiness-Up Line Dance’

2) Assessment: Pre-test and post-test based on the educational content covered in the 1st period main class

3) Enrolled Students: 23 Adults with IDD in their 20s and 30s

4) Registration: First-come, first-served basis but priority registration for new comers 

5) Tuition Fee: 600,000 KRW.

6) Volunteers: 10 Undergraduate and graduate students

6) Volunteers: (including both special education majors and non-majors, volunteers from other universities) 

5. Articles and Videos Related to E-ACOLA

<Articles>

•  [Ewha Voice] 2006. 11. 29. Professor Park Seung-hee: pioneer of special education in Korea
    (https://evoice.ewha.ac.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=4153)

•  [Ewha Voice] 2021. 11. 22. Endeavors to make Ewha a caring community for all

    (https://evoice.ewha.ac.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=10837)

<Videos>