The Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC), an accrediting agency for postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disability (ID), announces the full accreditation of the CrossingPoints Tier 3 Program at the University of Alabama (UA). CrossingPoints Tier 3 becomes the fourth inclusive postsecondary program in the United States to be accredited by the new council, led by the University of Rochester’s Center for Disability and Education.
“The University of Alabama’s CrossingPoints Tier 3 program’s deep commitment to inclusion and excellence is a model for inclusive higher education, said Stephanie Smith Lee, IHEAC Board President. “The dedication of program leadership to students with intellectual disabilities was evidenced by meaningful outcomes and the experiences shared by students, parents, employers, and several stakeholders on campus during the site visit. The Board commends and celebrates the success of the students and the team’s important and impactful work with students.”
In a letter to CrossingPoints Tier 3 notifying them of the accreditation decision, IHEAC Board Members highlighted several outstanding features of the program and the highly qualified staff, including:
- A strong collaboration among students and faculty focused on achieving learning outcomes.
- Employment outcomes far exceed national data on employment rates for exiting students.
- Individualized supports and services are provided to each student based on their personal academic, social, career, and independent living goals.
- Program staff and faculty promote inclusion and accessibility through exemplary practices such as Universal Design for Learning.
“We are honored to be the fourth program in the country to receive the distinction of being an accredited inclusive postsecondary education program,” remarked Kagendo Mutua, Executive Director of CrossingPoints Tier 3 Program. “This recognition affirms our commitment to providing students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to be meaningfully included in all aspects of student and academic life at the University of Alabama, just like all their peers. Accreditation is not just a seal. It is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and grit of the CrossingPoints team. It is also a testament to the strength of the partnerships the Capstone has made possible. These partnerships have become an indomitable community. A community that values and defends both the nuanced and explicit differences that CrossingPoints students bring to our campus.”
CrossingPoints Tier 3 began in 2019 based on the long-standing history of CrossingPoints and is known as the CrossingPoints Certificate in Occupational Studies (CCOS) program, which is a three-year non-degree university-approved certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities. Students live in student housing, take UA classes for credit, complete employment internships, work on campus, and attend clubs and other student organizations. Students receive individualized support in all areas of the fully inclusive program.
Learn more about the CrossingPoints Tier 3 Program at the University of Alabama.
About the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council
The Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC) is an independent, non-profit accreditation agency that accredits college programs serving students with intellectual disability. The IHEAC was launched in 2023 with pioneers in inclusive postsecondary education, all parents of people with intellectual disability. Madeleine Will, Stephanie Smith Lee, Elise McMillan, and Tom Sannicandro are the founding board of directors for the Council. Read more about this historic accomplishment in this Inside Higher Education article.