Acceptance Criteria

The below criteria are used during the admissions process, as well as to determine ongoing eligibility for services once a student begins Vista.

Vista's mission requires the continual evaluation of an individual's ability to live with the greatest independence possible. Therefore, it is standard for Vista to continue to look at each student/member in relation to these eligibility criteria throughout his/her programming at Vista.

In Order to Participage in Vista's Array of Services an Individual Must:

  1. Be 18 years old or older.
  2. Have a neurologically-related disability as his/her primary disability, including but not limited to learning disability, head injury, autism spectrum disorders, seizure disorder, cognitive disability, or other neurological issue. 
  3. Be developmentally ready to make a commitment to a comprehensive residential and community based program, which includes having the motivation to participate in a work program and the potential to live in a community based setting. 
  4. Have a basic ability for self-care and social judgment.
  5. Not require 24-hour supervision. 
  6. Have a level of appropriate behaviors and functionality so as to be successful in dormitory style and, eventually, community based living.
  7. Have a basic level of judgment and willingness to follow safety and programmatic guidelines and parameters and demonstrate an understanding of when help is needed. 
  8. Must not have been legally determined to be incapable of making decisions for his/herself, due to the appointment of a full or plenary guardian, conservator, or other legal representative (“legal representative”) that would prevent him/her to fully participate in Vista or Vista related programs. If legal representation is in place, the legal representative will be required to sign necessary documents acknowledging the right of the individual to make key day to day decisions, in order for acceptance or continued acceptance to occur. 

While most incoming students begin at Vista in the Residential phase of the Entrance Program, based on an individual's abilities and circumstances, applicants may be directly accepted into any of Vista's programs.