Students with intellectual disability (ID) are increasingly attending postsecondary education institutions and acquiring work experiences while completing their studies. One of the main motivations for students with ID to seek higher education is to broaden and increase their chance for finding fulfilling, paid employment in their communities.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has created this essential guide for educators about privacy laws and online learning. The shift has raised questions about how to protect student data privacy, particularly for students in special education. A new guide from the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the Future of Privacy Forum addresses educators concerns and summarizes key privacy laws. The guide reviews laws like FERPA, COPPA, HIPPA, and more, and highlights exactly how each law applies to distance learning.
This document lists over a dozen videos, presentations and documents that explain various aspects of COVID-19 in plain language. Links and a brief description of each resource is provided. The list was compiled by Think College in August 2020.
Featuring information on over a dozen newsletters that provide subscribers with information on webinars, trainings, research, strategies, curricula, and many other valuable resources. Links to sign up for each newsletter are provided. Compiled by Lauren Perry of University of South Alabama in July, 2020.
This presentation shares tips and strategies for securing college and university buy-in when developing a post-secondary program for students with ID. Staff at the REACH Program at the College of Charleston share the process they used as well as lessons learned. Communication strategies and training materials for college faculty and staff are also included.
NTACT and the Center for Parent Information and Resources produced a guide for students to use as they exit high school and prepare to transition to college or work. This 15-page resource is designed to help youth with disabilities take steps to transition from high school to adult life. It speaks directly to youth, moving through secondary transition considerations step by step, including:
This guide answers questions like what is the ADA?, why is it important for me?, what protections does it provide?, as well as sharing information about the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act and the Olmstead Act. This toolkit is available in an easy read version as well as a plain language version with fewer graphics; both can be found attached to this resource.
Proposed 2/20/2020
Status: Did not pass
This bill, if passed, would have permitted students enrolled in NY postsecondary education transition programs to receive awards from the state tuition assistance program.
This Insight Brief discusses how students with intellectual disability can utilize federal financial aid to help pay for college. This publication was updated in 2025 to reflect current legislation and policy related to federal financial aid for students with intellectual disabilities. Links to relevant resources with the most current information were added.
A plain language version of this document is available here.
This publication draws from a qualitative study that interviewed college students with intellectual disability in an attempt to determine what is known about IPSE students and their experiences with peer supports. Inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs for youth with intellectual disability recognize students with intellectual disability as contributing members of the broader campus community through academic engagement, career development, and social activities (Grigal & Papay, 2018; Jones et. al, 2015).
