Hart, Debra

Participation in postsecondary education is a known predictor of a successful employment outcome for youth without disabilities. There is research documenting that this is true for youth with disabilities as well. Most literature on postsecondary education for youth with disabilities focuses on individuals with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and physical or sensory disorders. There is limited research that addresses youth with intellectual disabilities regarding successful outcomes of participation in postsecondary education.

Traditionally, youth with intellectual and developmental disabiliites (IDD) have not been given the option of participating in and thus benefiting from a postsecondary education. There are school districts and community colleges across the country, however, that are creating opportunities for these youth to have the option of meaningful participation in a postsecondary education while still in secondary school (i.e., Dual Enrollment).

This brief informs readers about models of postsecondary programs for students with ID, describing them in terms of level of inclusion: substantially separate, mixed/hybrid and inclusive. It also provides information on program funding and includes a list of resources.

This Think College Insight Brief discusses the philosophy behind offering postsecondary education opportunities to students with intellectual disabilities.

This Think College Fast Facts report gives an overview of how postsecondary education experiences can improve employment outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities, based on a secondary analysis of the RSA 911 research data (the Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation national database)   One role of Vocational Rehabilitation is to support postsecondary education in accordance with student's Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE).

Think College Insight Brief #6 gives an overview of the impact of students with intellectual disabilities in postsecondary education opportunities on teacher education programs. Peer mentoring programs at four universities are described and discussed.