This presentation was delivered at the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) conference in fall 2024, by Melinda Fruendt, Rachel Hoard, and Russ Thelin. These three professionals have decades of combined experience as practitioners and state and national leaders. In their presentation, they spoke on the importance of collaboration and understanding between VR staff and higher education professionals. Specific examples of success from Oklahoma and Colorado were shared.
Vocational Rehabilitation
In order to improve employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual disability, it is important for VR personnel and higher education program staff to establish partnerships. The Employment Partnerships Collaborative Workgroup, a project of the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network, identified states with exemplary partnerships and asked them to write up a description of what makes things work in their state.
Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
In order to improve employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual disability, it is important for VR personnel and higher education program staff to establish partnerships. The Employment Partnerships Collaborative Workgroup, a project of the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network, identified states with exemplary partnerships and asked them to write up a description of what makes things work in their state.
Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors are key partners in the success of higher education programs for students with intellectual disability. Navigating these partnerships can raise many questions for program staff new to working with VR agencies. This publication addresses the most common questions that staff of higher education programs for students with intellectual disability ask Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors, promoting effective collaboration between higher education staff and VR counselors.
Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors are often unfamiliar with higher education programs for students with intellectual disability and have many questions when first approached. This publication tackles the top 10 questions that VR counselors frequently ask, offering clear and practical answers about higher education programs for students with intellectual disability.
Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
In an August 27th 2024 Disability Scoop article, we learned of new guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration details how vocational rehabilitation agencies should respond to requests for out-of-state services which may better support students with intellectual disability to get employment supports.
Vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals are critical members of the team necessary to support the successful transition from college to employment for students with intellectual disability. This publication highlights numerous ways that VR can work with colleges to help students with intellectual disability find and keep jobs they want.
Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
This handy "hyperdoc" lists the most up-to-date and critical resources from Think College for vocational rehabilitation professionals working with students with intellectual disability who are attending college. It includes the title, a brief description, and a link to numerous resources in three different topic areas: enhancing partnerships, policy & guidance, data & research
A flyer with a QR code to the resource online is also included, and can be downloaded and printed to share with others.
Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
VR state agency leaders explored successes and challenges in partnering with higher education programs for students with intellectual disability at a listening session held by the Employment Partnerships Workgroup, supported by the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network. This concise brief summarizes the key issues discussed and offers VR state leaders' recommendations for enhancing partnerships between state VR agencies and higher education programs to improve access and opportunities for paid employment for students with intellectual disability.
Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
At a listening session held by the Employment Partnerships Workgroup, supported by the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network, five state VR agency leaders explored successes and challenges in partnering with higher education programs for students with intellectual disability. This Insight Brief provides an overview of the listening session and discussion of the key issues identified: language barriers, need for better communication, lack of awareness of systems and guidance, funding challenges, and the need for goal alignment and employment-focused programming.
Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network