There are increasing opportunities for students with intellectual disability in the United States to enroll in and obtain postsecondary education. This Fast Fact #17 provides a first look at the employment, education, and living situation outcomes achieved by students in TPSID programs 1 year after completion.
The Minnesota State Legislature, in its 2017 session, requested that the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota provide a two-year residential academic program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at the University of Minnesota Morris effective with the 2018-2019 academic year. This report was written in response to the legislative request, providing a preliminary outline of the program as it would be designed and implemented on the Morris campus.
There are more than 260 inclusive college programs for students with ID exist across the United States (Think College, 2017). This number represents an exponential increase in programs—nearly 10 times greater than the number of programs available in 2004 (National Coordinating Center Accreditation Workgroup, 2016). Not only are there more programs to choose from, with recent revisions to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, students with ID also can access federal financial aid for attending postsecondary education programs that meet federal requirements.
Presentation of key research findings related to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability by Dr. Meg Grigal as part of a panel presentation on Improving Research-Based Practices in Educating Students with Intellectual Disability, presented at the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities Conference on January 18, 2018.
College is an ideal setting to develop and expand a person’s social network. Using strategies that maximize social opportunities centered around shared interests and common experiences can often lead to the development of authentic friendships and increased campus membership. Educational coaches are in an ideal position to recognize opportunities for social engagement and to support and encourage students to develop social networks and new friendships. A checklist for educational coaches in included in this publication.
In this Grab and Go Practices, we offer suggestions for instructing students to use apps, software applications, smartphones, and other technology tools in typical college experiences. We discuss how these tools can help with mobility, following schedules, academic support, communication, social connections, and personal management. A checklist for educational coaches is included.
This Grab and Go fact sheet summarizes best practices for coaches and mentors who support dually enrolled students with intellectual disabilities and autism on college campuses. A list of related items for an educational coach professional portfolio is included. We offer suggestions on promoting independence and gradually fading prompts to maximize a student’s potential for independence. These suggestions are provided in a naturally occurring order, but not all steps are necessary, and the student's abilities and needs should guide the process.
This Grab and Go Fact Sheet summarizes best practices for coaches and mentors who support dually enrolled students with intellectual disabilities and autism on college campuses. Students who receive transition services and attend college have many opportunities throughout the day to develop and use life skills. In fact, the more students stay on campus, the more opportunities they have to use these skills in natural contexts and with natural cues. Sometimes, IEP teams are tempted to address learning goals in high school settings where these skills were traditionally taught.
In 2013, California enacted an Employment First policy that prioritized competitive integrated employment as the first option and preferred outcome for adults with developmental disabilities. State agencies are working toward anchoring their policies and practices for successful local implementation of the Employment First policy. This study conducted community conversations to generate recommended strategies by local communities to increase the employment of people with disabilities.
This Insight Brief #35 provides an overview of academic advising strategies to support dually enrolled students with intellectual disability (ID) in higher education while addressing some advising challenges. Effectively advising students with ID involves a comprehensive understanding of the student’s goals, preferences, strengths, and interests, as well as the student’s disability. It also requires recognition of some institutional obstacles that may impact student access to desired classes.
