The Think College Policy Advocates (TCPA) program has been a very successful and unique advocacy training program. For six years, Think College partnered with the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) to train teams of students with intellectual disability and college staff to understand disability policy and advocacy.
A new report shares the history and evolution of TCPA, explains the curriculum development, lessons learned, and results and impact of the program. Filled with statistics and testimonies from students, program staff, and coaches, the report also includes details about how the last TCPA program was implemented and the impact it had.
Since the program started in 2019, there have been 88 participants from 25 states. Those teams held over 125 meetings with members of Congress to share information about their college experience, advocate for more support for inclusive college programs, and raise awareness about rights and access for people with intellectual disability.
This report is meant to serve as documentation of the training and its outcomes – and to celebrate what these students accomplished. TCPA created space for students to step into advocacy roles, build confidence, and engage directly in policy conversations that affect their lives.
We are so proud of what this program built and so grateful to everyone who worked to make it happen. This report captures that work!