The Occupational and Academic Skills for Independence & Success (OASIS) program for Adults with Disabilities at Saddleback College has an independent living and vocational curriculum that focuses on the needs of adults with disabilities in the South Orange County region.

Saddleback College provides tuition-free OASIS classes that focuses on the needs of adults with disabilities in the South Orange County region. The objectives of the OASIS program are to help students advance their level of independence, participate actively in their local community, and transition to academic courses or career pathways, as desired.

Classes are available for individuals with various abilities and educational attainment, sequenced from Pre-Vocational to Employability and Workplace Skills, incorporating life skills and work skills consistent with best practices for adult learners with disabilities. Core classes integrate independent living skills, functional academics, social skills, and vocational skills. Students in the OASIS program learn functional living skills and identify resources that will lead them to their academic, professional, or personal goals.

View the Spring 2026 OASIS Class Schedule
NOTE: Spring 2026 classes are held from January 12 to May 20, 2026.

Getting Started

Highly recommended: Attend our annual OASIS Showcase in March to learn more about the program and get detailed information to help you decide if OASIS is the right fit for you. 

2026 OASIS Showcase: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 6:00pm at Saddleback College (28000 Marguerite Parkway Mission Viejo, CA 92692) in CC 212 (College Center Building). 

Classes Offered

All of the following are tuition-free, zero-unit courses focusing on the needs of adults with disabilities in the South Orange County region:

  • AEWP 771 - Mobility Skills
    • In this course students are introduced to multiple means of public transportation options in order to safely navigate the community, develop skills to potentially secure employment, and enhance their independence.
  • AEWP 774 - Self Advocacy Skills
    • In this course students learn self-advocacy skills in order to promote independence in the community and the workplace.
  • AEWP 775 - Computer Skills Lab
    • This lab supports the development of computer and technological skills in real-world situations for adults with disabilities.
  • AEWP 776 - Fundamentals of Independent Living Skills
    • This course addresses skills and competencies relevant to those wishing to live and work more independently. Students will also be presented with basic meal planning and cooking techniques.
  • AEWP 777 - Basic Community Skills
    • In this course students will learn consumer skills, transportation skills, and social skills necessary to safely navigate the community.
  • AEWP 778 - Introduction to Functional Academic Skills
    • This course focuses on increasing basic functional academic skills. There is an emphasis on understanding the application of consumer math skills, functional reading skills, and functional writing skills to real life scenarios.
  • AEWP 781 - Personal Safety
    • This course supports the development of personal safety awareness. Students with disabilities are presented with proactive steps to take to avoid dangerous situations in the community and at home as well as basic techniques for self-defense and first aid.
  • AEWP 782 - Personal Budgeting and Basics of Banking
    • This is an introductory class that teaches the basics of banking and budgeting, vocabulary, financial awareness, and step-by-step guidelines on how to open and manage a checking account as well as creating personal budgets.
  • AEWP 783 - Communication in the Workplace
    • This course supports the development of necessary workplace skills. This course will include activities to enhance written and verbal skills.
  • AEWP 784 - Critical Thinking Skills
    • This course supports the development of soft skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in real-world situations.
  • AEWP 785 - Healthy Relationships
    • This course is designed to introduce students with disabilities how to improve and develop healthy relationship skills necessary to function in a variety of situations and environments.
  • AEWP 786 - Career Goals and Job Search 
    • This course specifically seeks to support students to identify vocational goals, explore resources related to job exploration, and develop requisite job search skills.
  • AEWP 787 - Career Planning and Job Search
    • This course specifically seeks to support students to complete a job application, develop a resume, craft a cover letter, and develop competitive job interview skills.
  • AEWP 788 - Introduction to Employability Skills
    • This course specifically seeks to support students to acquire the necessary social skills to successfully navigate the workplace while seeking employment as well as once employment is obtained.

NOTE: Students may earn a CDCP (Career Development and College Preparation) certificate in Pre-Vocational, Employability, or Workplace Skills after successfully completing the full sequence of courses and earning a passing (P) grade in each class.

Adult Education (OASIS) Workforce Preparation Certificates of Completion

Saddleback Adult Education offers OASIS students the opportunity to earn three state-approved Certificates of Completion. Each certificate requires students to complete a sequence of courses and earn a noncredit grade of P (Pass) in every course.

The objectives of the Pre-Vocational Skills Certificate are to help students advance their level of independence and participate actively in their local community. Students in this sequence of courses learn functional living skills and identify resources that will lead them to their academic, professional, or personal goals. 

To earn the Pre-Vocational Skills Certificate, students need to complete all of the following courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each:

  • AEWP 771NC — Mobility Skills
  • AEWP 774NC — Self Advocacy Skills
  • AEWP 775NC — Computer Skills Lab
  • AEWP 776NC — Fundamentals of Independent Living Skills
  • AEWP 777NC — Basic Community Skills
  • AEWP 778NC — Introduction of Functional Academics

The objective of the Employability Skills Certificate is to help students advance in their academic, personal, and career pathways, as desired. Students in this sequence of courses learn how to prepare for employment and independent living environments. 

To earn the Employability Skills Certificate, students need to complete all of the following courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each:

  • AEWP 781 — Personal Safety 
  • AEWP 782 — Personal Budgeting and Basics of Banking 
  • AEWP 784 — Critical Thinking Skills 
  • AEWP 785 — Healthy Relationships

The objective of the Workplace Skills Certificate is to help students acquire the skills necessary to navigate career planning and the workplace. Students in this sequence of courses learn how to identify vocational goals, explore resources related to job exploration, and develop competitive job seeking skills. 

To earn the Workplace Skills Certificate, students need to complete all of the following courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each: 

  • AEWP 783 — Communication in the Workplace 
  • AEWP 786 — Career Goals and Job Exploration 
  • AEWP 787 — Career Planning and Job Search 
  • AEWP 788 — Introduction to Employability Skills

Related Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities

  • Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS)

    The Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) program provides support services, specialized instruction, and authorizes educational accommodations for students with disabilities so that they can participate fully and benefit equitably in their college experience. Academic Accommodations may include accommodated testing, assessment of learning disabilities, specialized counseling, interpreter services for students who are deaf, alternate media, access to adapted computers and software, priority registration and specialized instruction. If you need assistance setting up any of your accommodations, please contact DSPS at (949) 582-4885, scdsps@saddleback.edu, or stop by the office in Gateway (GW) 161-1.

  • Adapted Kinesiology (KNEA) Program

    The Adapted Kinesiology (KNEA) Program at Saddleback College began in the early 1980's to serve students with disabilities and special needs. This program instructs students in exercises designed to maintain their health, well-being and improve their quality of life. In tandem with the instructor, students develop fitness goals and an individualized exercise plan. Special equipment is sometimes used to aid in student success.

Donate to the OASIS program

Please visit Saddleback College Foundation's website to support the OASIS program. Your contribution helps us to continue supporting students with disabilities in the OASIS Program. We thank you for your support!

Visit the Saddleback College Foundation/OASIS Donation Website

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