The Boltwood Project

The Boltwood Project is a student-run civic engagement and leadership program designed to provide enrichment, recreation, and socialization for adults and children of intellectual or physical diverse ability. The project offers a 2-credit seminar for students who are part of the teams that organize weekly enrichment activities. In addition, a 4-credit leadership course is available for students who have completed exceptional service work in the seminar. Through seminar and classroom activities, and through the weekly sessions at a variety of service provider sites, students learn how to be friends and allies with people of diverse physical and intellectual abilities. The Boltwood Project participants develop strategies to oppose ableism through a deepened understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and complex lives of people with disabilities. Boltwood has been part of UMass for over 50 years and is the largest and longest continuously running, community engagement program at UMass Amherst.