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Critical Topics Covered in New Think College Plain Language Series

Text on blue background: New from AUCD & Think College; text on white background: Plain Language publications

We are happy to announce a new type of publication, created with our partners at AUCD, or Association of University Centers on Disability. The Plain Language Series will feature new publications based on existing Think College documents. Each one will be written in plain language...

Alumni Spotlight: Kenneth Kelty

photo of Kenneth Kelty speaking at a conference.  he is holding a microphone and standing behind a lectern.

Kenneth Kelty is an award-winning motivational speaker and activist on his life with disabilities and exceeding beyond expectations. Kenneth is a proud alumni of The University Participants UP Program class of 2014 and after graduation he was recruited to represent Disability Advocacy in The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Related Disorders. 

Students: Would you like to write a book chapter?

college campus with students sitting on lawn

Do you want to share about what college is like for you? Professors Beth Myers and Mike Gill from Syracuse University are writing a book about the experiences of students in inclusive college programs. They are looking for college students to share about their lives. All of the chapters of the book will be written by college students in inclusive programs.  

2020 Project Director Meeting Content Available On-Line!

Every year the Think College National Coordinating Center (NCC) invites the project directors and key staff from TPSID model demonstration sites to network and share ideas, present on key features of postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disability, and to gain new insights from their data. This year was no different, except it was. We held the entire meeting virtually - and due to that new structure, we have recordings of all the Project Director meeting sessions presented by TPSID and Coordinating Center staff, and we want to share them with others who may benefit.

COVID-Related Guidance from Federal Student Aid

Are you an approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CPT) programs or a student attending an approved CTP?  If you are, then you will be interested in reading this recent guidance issued by Federal Student Aid at the US Department of Education related to interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Updated June 16, 2020).  For CTP programs and their students, the most important guidance addresses the use of distance education, since CTP programs are, under normal circumstances, prohibited from operating as an exclusively on-line program.

NEW: Tips & Takeaways Resources on Current, COVID-related Issues

In March 2020, COVID-19 quickly shut down much of the United States, forcing schools to send staff and students home and begin a new task for most: distance learning. For college students with intellectual disability, this sudden shift posed unique challenges—and for the staff who support them, as well. Staff at Think College quickly realized it could be helpful to give the college program staff a forum to share information, discuss critical topics, and just support one another, so we started hosting weekly meetings.

Resources for Educators & Families Adjusting to Distance Learning

Image of computer screen with people pictured in smaller screens, using the Zoom technology

Just remember, we’re all in this together, even if we are at a distance.

Staff at the National Coordinating Center are aware that our diverse community is in need of a wide range of supports at this time. College staff and faculty migrated from classroom-based learning to virtual environments. Internships are being done remotely. Learning opportunities are being embedded in the home environment. There is a lot of uncertainty about the future.

Below are some resources we believe may be helpful as we all cope with this ongoing reality brought on by the COVID pandemic.