Peer Ally Program

The Peer Ally program was designed to develop and nurture genuine relationships between students with ID and their same-aged peers without disabilities. Traditional UNT students will be paired with ELEVAR students based on similar career goals or life interests. The peer ally roles will be diverse in nature, whether building a natural friendship, supporting them as classmates, or as co-workers, and will be voluntary or part of a service-learning component.

What is a Peer Ally?

 Peer allies are UNT students (same-aged peers) in undergraduate programs that engage and collaborate with UNT ELEVAR students in various ways. Together, UNT ELEVAR students and peer allies create inclusive experiences with positive opportunities learning and personal growth for each other. These allies are given the opportunity to engage and exchange experiences by collaborating alongside UNT ELEVAR students by:

  • Introduce them to other university peers/friends
  • Participate in university-sponsored events and gatherings
  • Assisting them to integrate into the university community through an inclusive model
  • Provide other types of support and experiences in a social manner

More specifically, peer allies and UNT ELEVAR students will navigate the college experiences socially as peers, to develop independence, socialization, and attain career and life goals.

Sign Up To a Peer Ally

Students looking at a piece of paper

Service Learning, Volunteer, and Intern

Volunteer, Intern, or complete your service learning with the UNT ELEVAR program. Reach out to us via email at elevar@unt.edu