Sulewski, Jennifer

As colleges and universities open their doors to students with intellectual disabilities (ID), it is essential that students are afforded opportunities and the support necessary to authentically engage in their campus communities. Community life engagement (CLE) refers to people accessing and participating in their communities outside of employment. This resource shares how college and university staff can use the four CLE guideposts to facilitate the development of natural campus connections and support for students with ID on college campuses

Trying new things and meeting new people are some of the most important parts of college. Ways to engage on campus are as broad and varied as students’ interests and communities. When students engage outside the classroom, they discover something new about themselves whether it is by joining clubs, interning or working, attending special events, or even just hanging out in the cafeteria.

Engagement outside the classroom helps students:

There is growing evidence postsecondary education (PSE) is an effective pathway to employment for individuals with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder (ID/A). Partnerships between institutions of higher education (IHEs) and vocational rehabilitation (VR) are essential in providing better access to this pathway. This study sought to identify elements of effective IHE-VR partnerships through case studies at four sites, involving interviews with faculty and program staff, VR administrators and counselors, and students and families.

One of the strongest predictors of post-school employment for students with intellectual disability and/or autism (ID/A) is obtaining work experiences while in high school. There is growing evidence of a similar effect among college students.

In 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) mandated significant changes to the workforce development and vocational rehabilitation (VR) systems. One of these changes was a requirement that state vocational rehabilitation agencies set aside at least 15% of their federal funds to provide pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) to students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services.

Over the past decade, the field of inclusive higher education has expanded considerably, offering a growing number of options for students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism (ID/A) to access college experiences that include career development and employment. This focus on employment spurs many of these programs to partner with state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies. However, these partnerships require staff from both entities to develop an understanding about each partner’s role to work together effectively.

Research with middle school students has indicated that they are ready to talk about college and careers. However, these students need and desire direct instruction to understand how to prepare for these goals. Future Quest Island (FQI), an online accessible tool and curriculum, was designed to jump-start middle school students’ thinking about college and careers and facilitate teacher engagement in college and career conversations for students in grades 6–8.

This poster, presented at the NIDILRR 40th Anniversary Celebration (https://acl.gov/NIDILRR40), reports findings from a mixed-methods study by Think College staff on the role of vocational rehabilitation (VR) in promoting postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability and/or autism. The study included secondary analysis of data collected from TPSID model demonstration sites and intensive case studies of four effective VR/higher education partnerships.

The FY2011/2012  report of data from the Think College National Coordinating Center on the Transition Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabiities (TPSID) projects. These annual reports share data and analysis from data collected from a total of 54 TPSID projects annually from 2010-2015 on the programmatic structures and student characteristics and student outcomes. 

The FY2013 annual report of data from the Think College National Coordinating Center on the Transition Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabiities (TPSID) projects.  These annual reports share data and analysis from data collected from a total of 54 TPSID projects annually from 2010-2015 on the programmatic structures and student characteristics and student outcomes.