Sheppard-Jones, Kathleen

There has been a great migration of students with intellectual disability (ID) into the college world. The Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008 (HEOA) has opened the door to postsecondary education to a previously untapped market of students. As a result, programs for students with intellectual disability have been developed around the country to support this historic systems change (Lee, 2009). Along with improved job prospects as one important measure of success, college participation also brings opportunity for personal and social development.

Postsecondary education (PSE) is increasingly becoming an option for students with intellectual disability. Postsecondary education offers the promise of pursuing a valued social role (that of college student), enhanced social networks, and, most significantly, increased employment options. To date, research and practice in the area of transition to PSE for students with ID has focused primarily upon the sending (public school systems) and receiving (colleges or universities) agencies.

Think College Insight Brief #22 describes how Kentucky postsecondary programs are working with vocational rehabilitation (VR) to provide employment opportunities to students with ID who are participating in postsecondary programs. The partnership between state VR and IHEs is considered crucial to enhancing life opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in Kentucky.