Many individuals with disabilities across the country are supported by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) professionals, who work to increase an individual’s job skills and gain meaningful employment. Research shows that college programs for students with intellectual disability lead to greater employment outcomes upon graduation. This new guidance from the Department of Education clarifies how VR funds can be used to cover costs of higher education.
Our Think Higher. Think College. campaign website has a variety of resources for everyone looking to learn more about how VR and college programs can work together to support students to attend higher education opportunities, including:
- A video featuring VR professionals, who explain the impact of inclusive higher education. Available in multiple versions, including Spanish, the video aims to inspire collaboration between VR and education professionals.
- Our College to Careers: VR Can Make It Happen resource, which highlights numerous ways that VR can work with colleges to help students with intellectual disability find and keep jobs they want, and
- Our resource on Higher Education and VR partnerships.
We are looking forward to seeing how this new federal guidance will support current and future students to utilize VR funds for higher education. We’re excited that now so many people can start to Think Higher. Think Careers!