Foundations

This article from the Chronicle of Higher Education, written by Think College's Cate Weir, shares advice with institutions of higher education on how and why to establish programs for students with intellectual disability.

In this article, featured in Impact, Cate Weir provides an overview of Think College. The article includes the history of Think College, who we are today, what Think College can do for you, and where we are headed next.

Opening Doors to College is a 36-minute documentary by filmmaker Dan Habib which shows the educational, social and self-determination strategies of inclusive higher education at Millersville and Temple Universities. Hundreds of colleges across the U.S. are opening doors to higher education for students with intellectual disability.

This is the story of Micah, who has an intellectual disability, his community, and his ground-breaking journey to full inclusion in K-12 schools, college, work and life. It is told by Micah, as well as his parents, his sister, friends and colleagues in essays, poems and interviews.

This video, produced for the 2019 Annual CEC Meeting, highlights the growth in postsecondary options for students with intellectual disability (ID) over the last 15 years. Featured in the video are interviews with Think College Co-Directors, Debra Hart & Meg Grigal, as well as staff members, Cate Weir and Maria Paiewonsky. Other valued members of the inclusion community such as Dan Habib, Martha Mock, and leaders at a variety of inclusive colleges share their perspectives on why college is important for students with ID.

This book will introduce the reader to international perspectives associated with post-secondary school education for students with intellectual disability attending university settings. Examples of students with intellectual disability gaining their right to full inclusion within university settings are outlined, as well as the barriers and facilitators of such innovation. The four parts of the text will act as a reader for all supporters of inclusion at the university level. The first part examines the philosophical, theoretical and rights-based framework of inclusion.

INTELLIGENT LIVES stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. Academy Award-winning actor and narrator Chris Cooper contextualizes the lives of these central characters through the emotional personal story of his son Jesse, as the film unpacks the shameful and ongoing track record of intelligence testing in the U.S.

This article highlights the benefits of postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability (ID), but reviewing numerous factors contributing to its growth as an option for students exiting high school. The authors cite research done by the Think College National Coordinating Center that shows growth in opportunities for students with ID to attend college. This growth is attributed to factors such as credential development at institutions of higher education (IHE) and improved pathways to competitive employment.

Inclusive post-secondary education (PSE) delivers positive personal, social and academic outcomes. However, there is limited support for students with intellectual disability (ID) to participate in higher education, particularly in Australia. This study investigated the expectations and experiences of students with ID in an inclusive individual support PSE programme. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with students (n = 4) and peer mentors (n = 6) at the beginning and end of one academic semester.

This resource includes the captioned recording and the transcript for the Expanding the Dialogue on Autism: Reflections on Research & Real Life in Education webinar. Featured on this panel were Maria Paiewonsky, program coordinator and transition specialist at ICI; Ned Pavlak, a student at Holyoke Community College (HCC); Julia Landau, Director of Mass Advocates for Children; and, Stephen Shore, professor, advocate, author, and international speaker on education, advocacy, disclosure, and more.