As students with intellectual disability have been increasingly pursuing postsecondary education, they have also been increasingly pursuing inclusion in all aspects of postsecondary education, including Greek life. Students with intellectual disability should have access to Greek Life, using the same processes students without disability use to access these programs. This requires students and their supporters to embrace the dignity of risk.
In March 2025, Think College hosted a webinar about Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS), a program designed to promote social inclusion on college campuses by uniting students with and without intellectual disability. Through activities that fostered friendship, respect, and understanding, UCS aimed to create environments where all students felt welcome, valued, and empowered to succeed.
View recording and download resources
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) is a program designed to promote social inclusion on college campuses by uniting students with and without intellectual disability. Through activities that foster friendship, respect, and understanding, UCS aims to create environments where all students feel welcome, valued, and empowered to succeed.
This webinar was held December 11, 2024, and discussed the dignity of risk and how this approach can empower college students with intellectual disability. The webinar focused on the importance of supporting students’ ability to make their own choices and encouraging independence. Participants learned how manageable risks help students grow and fully experience college life. The session also explored the community life engagement approach, which helps ensure students with disability are included in all aspects of campus life.
This webinar was held December 11, 2024, and discussed the dignity of risk and how this approach can empower college students with intellectual disability. The webinar focused on the importance of supporting students’ ability to make their own choices and encouraging independence. Participants learned how manageable risks help students grow and fully experience college life. The session also explored the community life engagement approach, which helps ensure students with disability are included in all aspects of campus life.
College programs for students with intellectual disability are designed to provide the same opportunities that all other students have in college: social inclusion, learning, and participation in classes and campus activities.
Think College Insight Brief #26 provides a framework for inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities (ID) in higher education. It was developed by members of the Think College Special Interest Group Building Inclusive Campus Communities and collaborating partners from the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI). To support implementation of this inclusive higher education framework, a series of reflective questions are provided for practitioners and administrators that they can consider when designing new or evaluating existing programs at institutions of higher education.
Staff Perceptions on Factors Affecting Access to Intimacy Education and Intimate Experiences for College Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities reveals that a majority of staff members at inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who participated in a national survey agreed that their students think learning about intimacy is a priority, but feel their students lack confidence to ask for support in learning more about sex and dating.
As colleges and universities open their doors to students with intellectual disabilities (ID), it is essential that students are afforded opportunities and the support necessary to authentically engage in their campus communities. Community life engagement (CLE) refers to people accessing and participating in their communities outside of employment. This resource shares how college and university staff can use the four CLE guideposts to facilitate the development of natural campus connections and support for students with ID on college campuses
Trying new things and meeting new people are some of the most important parts of college. Ways to engage on campus are as broad and varied as students’ interests and communities. When students engage outside the classroom, they discover something new about themselves whether it is by joining clubs, interning or working, attending special events, or even just hanging out in the cafeteria.
Engagement outside the classroom helps students:
