Webinar recording

Flexible Supports for College Success Presented by Maria Paiewonsky, Ashley Luce*, and Luke Saint-Amour, this webinar covered topics such as supported education, student engagement in college classes, determining accommodation needs, campus resources, and intensive supports. The presentation emphasized the importance of determining the appropriate level of support for student engagement and satisfaction in college classes. It included information on typical classroom supports, academic accommodations, educational coaching, and peer mentoring.

The webinar, held February 6, 2024, provided practical insights on accreditation's benefits for students and programs, offering an overview of the process and its application. Participants were guided through applying standards and creating program plans efficiently. It highlighted the significance of accreditation in higher education, exemplified by Western Carolina's pioneering UP Program and its national recognition for inclusive education.

MIHEC Community of Practice Gathering: A Guide to the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) Program Designation (recorded November 14, 2023)

Access to paid employment while in college for students with ID is critical to preparing students to enter careers upon graduation. Inclusive college program staff play a vital role in students obtaining paid jobs during college. While assisting students to get a job is one of the first steps to a successful employment experience, it is not the last. Support doesn’t stop once the student gets a job. The next step is to effectively support students on the job site. This includes supporting employers, which may require staff to learn new skills.

During an Inclusive Campus Life Affinity Group meeting, a panel shared experiences and considerations for creating inclusive pathways for students with intellectual disability to join collegiate Greek Life organizations. Panelists included Chelsea Stinnett, Think College Training Development & Technical Assistance Coordinator who spoke about her previous experiences at the University of South Carolina; Rebecca Holloway, Director at Union EDGE; Vanderbilt University’s Director of Greek Life, Destiny Savage; and Next Steps at Vanderbilt peer mentor Greek Life Liaison, Emily Gothelf.

Staff and students from the University of Oklahoma Sooner Works and University of Alabama CrossingPoints programs describe their approaches to support student living on campus in this informative webinar.  The University of Oklahoma (UO) describes how they support students in living on campus including individualized strategies and supports as students grow in their independence.

College has the potential to be an opportunity for enormous growth in the lives of all students. How can college programs for students with intellectual disability promote this growth? By supporting students to set and work toward meaningful college and career goals and gain related experiences.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can be used to design high quality experiences for all learners in a wide range of environments, including Career and Technical Education (CTE). In this hour-long webinar from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), three experienced CTE educators and UDL practitioners outline ways in which UDL principles can be used to ensure that a variety of CTE environments are accessible for all learners. This is a helpful resource for all CTE administrators in designing high-quality classroom and work-place experiences.

During a Student Credentials Affinity Group meeting, Dr. Kate Strater, Calvin University, shared her journey through the university credential approval process. Kate’s work included not only starting a new inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program for 20 students at Calvin, but the realignment of established processes to CTP guidelines. While every IPSE program is unique, Dr. Strater outlined the governance process in establishing a new credential. 

This webinar is for families who are considering college options for their child with ID and are embarking on the application process. As exciting as the prospects are, there is a lot that goes into assembling the necessary materials for the college application: references from employers, friends, teachers, and more; photos; letters of support from those your child’s network; academic records; and more. Additionally, items needed for the application package may vary greatly for higher education programs for students with ID.