OLS Bellevue College

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Bellevue, WA
OLS Bellevue College

An associate degree program for neurodiverse students with learning disabilities. Skills for Work. Skills for Life.

In our uniquely supportive program, students learn to identify and develop a career pathway, grow interpersonal skills, build life-long friendships, and gain marketable, workplace-ready skills. OLS creates a guided pathway for graduating students to become gainfully employed, contributing citizens. Since the inception of our program, 85% of our graduates are employed and 30% enjoy upward career mo

bility. All OLS courses focus on developing critical thinking skills, soft skills, and self-determination skills.

06/12/2026

This quarter, OLS Career Portfolio students got the chance to tour the Health Sciences building with the only and only Maz.

This was a fantastic hands-on learning experience exploring different career pathways right here on campus for students interested in pursuing health sciences.

Students got to use the ultrasound machine on each other, explore the X-Ray rooms, and see how technology is used to help students learn in as close to a real-world setting as possible.

Another incredible opportunity OLS students have as a part of the Bellevue College campus!

06/11/2026

Make this summer your best summer yet at our Skills for Work Summer Camps!

Our camps are the perfect place to start exploring your options for life after high school. You'll identify your unique strengths and explore vocational and educational options in a safe, friendly environment.

Who You Are
- 16-22 years old
- Have an IEP, 504 plan, or documented disability
- No history of behavioral issues
- Able to participate in camps with minimal support, and willing to be part of group discussions and activities. Parents, therapists, tutors, and/or other supporting persons will not be allowed to attend camp sessions.

Our camps are limited to 16 campers—so don't wait to secure your spot!

Register today: https://bit.ly/47VwOQK

See you this summer!

06/10/2026

Our final internship spotlight this year is Ashish, who has been working as an Aerospace Production Intern at Orion Industries—a perfect fit for his career interest working in the aerospace industry.

Ashish works on the shop floor supporting production and manufacturing tasks, with a focus on aerospace part production. He assists with assembling and preparing components used in the aerospace industry, carefully following detailed, step-by-step instructions to ensure accuracy and quality. He also helps maintain an organized workspace, follows safety protocols, and collaborates with team members to meet daily production goals.

Through this work, he is developing strong skills in attention to detail, reliability, teamwork, and understanding industry-level manufacturing standards. Ashish is learning how precision, consistency, and safety are critical when producing aerospace parts.

This is a fast-paced environment with a heavy workload, and Ashish is absolutely thriving and enjoying that the parts he works on are used in airplanes.

Awesome job, Ashish!

06/09/2026

College students can gain a lot from attending a networking event or job fair, even if they aren't actively looking for a job yet. OLS students taking Career Exploration this quarter attended the Bellevue College Annual Networking & Job Fair on May 20, where they were able to connect with around 40 employers.

Students got firsthand information about company culture, career paths, and workplace expectations. Most importantly for the Career Exploration students, they got the chance to learn about industries and roles they may not have considered while figuring out what skills, majors, or experiences align with their current interests and goals for themselves.

Thank you to Bellevue College for hosting this great event each year, and way to put your networking skills to work, OLS!

06/08/2026

Another incredible discussion in our Human Sexuality class! Students engaged in an open and thoughtful discussion on the topic of s*x and disability, emphasizing that s*xuality is a normal and important part of life for all individuals.

Students explored how their experiences can shape relationships, communication, and physical intimacy, and how different types of disabilities may influence these aspects of life. Students also shared strategies for communicating needs effectively with both partners and healthcare providers.

A key focus of the discussion was challenging common misconceptions—particularly the harmful myth that people with disabilities are not s*xual. Students examined how such assumptions can lead to exclusion, misinformation, and a lack of access to appropriate resources.

Many participants said they appreciated having a safe and respectful space to ask honest questions and discuss topics such as consent, safety, intimacy, and support services. For some, it was one of the few opportunities to openly address these issues with peers who share similar experiences.

This discussion brought a shared understanding that individuals with disabilities deserve accurate information, mutual respect, and the same opportunities to build healthy, fulfilling relationships as anyone else.

Incredible work, OLS!

06/05/2026

This is the energy we're heading into the weekend with.

Spring quarter is almost over, OLS. Keep it up through the homestretch!

06/04/2026

This quarter, the OLS Office Procedures & Customer Service course created zines based on one Course Outcome or Chapter Themes from their textbooks. Students celebrated their work with peers and invited guests from the OLS and BC Library staff.

Creating a zine is a great example of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in action because it gives OLS students lots of flexible ways to express what they know.

Instead of writing a traditional paper, students can mix visuals, short text, collage, drawings, and even humor. This aligns with UDL’s purpose of offering multiple means of expression and engagement for different learning styles and strengths.

Making a zine fun and engaging, and students seem to really enjoy the process. They get creative control, can personalize their work, and often feel less pressure than with formal assignments. That sense of ownership leads to deeper thinking and connections to the material. Plus, because zines can be informal and expressive, creating them encourages participation from students who might not feel comfortable in more traditional formats.

Great job, OLS!

06/03/2026

A few more photos from last week's King County Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Resource Fair!

Students taking Personal Finance attended the event, exploring valuable resources and using the experience to begin building actionable life plans focused on housing, income, and emergency planning.

Enjoy a couple more pictures of the event, and check out our students back in class going through their packets of info!

Thanks again, King County, Washington - Government, for hosting!

06/02/2026

One of the OLS courses is Human Sexuality, and students explore identity, relationships, s*xual health, and the impact of s*xuality on personal and social decision-making.

This quarter, students had an open conversation in class about why learning about human s*xuality is important, and a lot of them said it just helps make things less confusing. Some mentioned that without good information, people end up relying on social media or rumors, which aren’t always accurate. Others talked about how topics like consent and healthy relationships actually apply to everyday life, not just dating.

By the end, the group agreed that having clear, honest education helps people feel more confident, make better choices, and understand themselves and others a little better.

We love that our program provides opportunities for students to not only learn important life skills but to discuss and understand the importance of learning them. Way to go, OLS!

05/28/2026

We're having an awesome time at the King County Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Resource Fair today!

Thank you to King County, Washington - Government for hosting this wonderful event. We look forward to it every year.

Address

3000 Landerholm Circle SE, N211
Bellevue, WA
98007

Website

http://bellevuecollege.edu/ols

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