Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors are often unfamiliar with higher education programs for students with intellectual disability and have many questions when first approached. This publication tackles the top 10 questions that VR counselors frequently ask, offering clear and practical answers about higher education programs for students with intellectual disability.
College programs for students with intellectual disability are designed to provide the same opportunities that all other students have in college: social inclusion, learning, and participation in classes and campus activities.
Use these resources for doing state-level advocacy and education about higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disability. Each resource is intended for a specific purpose and they can be used together or individually. Print these documents and use them to advocate with state policymakers. Some have blank spaces that you can customize with information about yourself or your state.
This resource is intended to provide an initial list of areas to consider when developing an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program with a robust course of study, a meaningful certificate, and improved employment and quality of life outcomes for non-degree seeking college students with intellectual disability (ID). There is a list of six program development areas with helpful tips, guiding questions, and many resources to support the process.
This easy to read one page guide was created by Life and Career Studies at Calvin University to give to faculty to share the basics about their program and how students are accessing university courses. It provides a good example of how to communicate with faculty in a friendly and easy to understand way about the program and its practices related to inclusive academics.
This resource shares two examples of Faculty Handbooks, developed at Calvin University and St. Joseph's University, that provide information about the program and answers common questions faculty have when they have a student from the program in their class.
Faculty Guidebook - Calvin University: Provides a program overview for professors, including staff contact information, outline of meaningful participation, information on academic course plans, student expectations, grading, peer partners, support for faculty, and frequently asked questions.
This Think College Snapshot captures data as of August 2025 on specific markers of higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities, including the number that are designated as Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) programs, which states have higher education consortia, the number of programs that have been awarded TPSID funding, which states have passed legislation related to higher education for students with intellectual disability, and more.
In partnership with AUCD, Think College tracks all state legislation introduced that is related to inclusive postsecondary education. Basic information about that legislation, including bills from 2015 - 2024, is included in this table. It includes the bills that had funding attached, those that were passed but did not involve funding, and those that did not pass. The table was updated in August 2024, at the conclusion of most legislative sessions.
These resources highlight four types of funding provided through state legislation:
This guide was created to support the development of inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs that are aligned with Program Accreditation Standards and the requirements to be approved as a comprehensive transition postsecondary (CTP) program. It provides a framework for conceptualizing and developing IPSE programs which allow for equitable access, membership, rights and privileges for college students with intellectual disability.
This flyer explains the features of the What's Happening In Your State page on the Think College webpage. Additionally, it explains the purpose and value of state and regional alliances.
