Boyle, Molly

Think College Insight Brief #26 provides a framework for inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities (ID) in higher education. It was developed by members of the Think College Special Interest Group Building Inclusive Campus Communities and collaborating partners from the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI). To support implementation of this inclusive higher education framework, a series of reflective questions are provided for practitioners and administrators that they can consider when designing new or evaluating existing programs at institutions of higher education.

This Insight Brief discusses how students with intellectual disability can utilize federal financial aid to help pay for college. This publication was updated in 2025 to reflect current legislation and policy related to federal financial aid for students with intellectual disabilities. Links to relevant resources with the most current information were added. 

A plain language version of this document is available here.

The Foundational Skills for the College and Career Learning Plan (CCLP) can be used to structure college experiences, including course work, employment, internships, on campus activities, volunteer and service learning experiences, and more. The CCLP is a goal setting and assessment tool designed to drive learning and productivity on campus, during internships and on the job. It can be used to structure the goal setting and to track and document the achievement of foundational skills.

This brochure explains what Universal Course Design is, provides some classroom examples, and provides some strategies for implementing UCD in the classroom. 

Think College Insight Brief #20 offers tips for effective communication with key partners when working to establish an inclusive dual enrollment program on a college campus.

Includes checklists for Universal Course Design instruction, assessment and environment.

Provides specific strategies that professors can use to assure that their course syllabus is universally designed and accessible to all students.