Whaley, Barry

This presentation was delivered as a Plenary Panel Address at the 2016 State of the Art Conference for Inclusive Higher Education, featuring Barry Whaley (University of Kentucky), Ed James & D'Arcy Robb (Georgia VR Agency), Jordan Knab (University of South Florida-St. Petersburg), and Dana Baccanti (PA Department of Labor & Industry). Each presenter shared information from his or her state about the role of VR in inclusive higher education programs and addressed topics such as funding streams, interagency collaboration, building capacity, and more. 

This RRTC Practice Brief shares examples that illustrate ways in which Vocational Rehabilitation is collaborating with and supporting inclusive postsecondary education programs.  Details from six states (Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Pennsylvania) are provided.  

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.