At 18 years old, many young adults are figuring out who they are, building friendships, exploring careers, and learning how to navigate the world more independently. For students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), the desire for connection and independence is the same, but the spaces to cultivate these experiences are often limited. 

That growing need became the foundation for the STAR Program at Manhattan Star Academy (MSA), a YAI affiliate school on the Upper West Side.