Advancing access to higher education for students with intellectual disability in the United States

Due to changes in legislation and policy in the United States, higher education has become more available to people with intellectual disability (ID). Currently, over 6000 students with ID are enrolled in 310 colleges and universities. In the past decade, the federal government has invested over 100 million dollars in a model demonstration program aimed at institutions of higher education to create, expand, or enhance high-quality, inclusive higher education experiences to support positive outcomes for individuals with ID. This article will describe the impetus and impact of this funding as well as related changes in policy and practice. With the emergence of these opportunities, a field of research has emerged, offering new knowledge about what higher education can offer to students with ID as well as the positive impact these students have on their peers, professors, and campus communities. We have also begun to see documentation of more long-term impacts of higher education on students’ employment, independent living outcomes, and life satisfaction. By describing these policy, practice, and research developments, this article will provide readers with a better understanding of the background, current status, and future needs of the field of inclusive higher education for people with ID in the United States and potential takeaways for similar stakeholders in other countries

Profile of students attending cohort 2 TPSID program: Enrollment and completion by gender, race, and ethnicity

Postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disability (ID) steadily increased between 2015 and 2020, in part due to a federal model demonstration program called the Transition and Postsecondary Program for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID). This program, implemented by the Office of Postsecondary Education, commenced in 2010 and was funded again in 2015, when 25 grants were awarded to institutions of higher education to create, expand, or enhance high-quality, inclusive higher education experiences leading to positive outcomes for individuals with ID. This report highlights student-level characteristic data from Cohort 2 TPSID programs between 2015 and 2020

Profile of Students Attending Cohort 2 TPSID Programs: Enrollment and Completion by Gender, Race, and Ethnicity

Postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disability (ID) steadily increased between 2015 and 2020, in part due to a federal model demonstration program called the Transition and Postsecondary Program for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID). This program, implemented by the Office of Postsecondary Education, commenced in 2010 and was funded again in 2015, when 25 grants were awarded to institutions of higher education to create, expand, or enhance high-quality, inclusive higher education experiences leading to positive outcomes for individuals with ID. This report highlights student-level characteristic data from Cohort 2 TPSID programs between 2015 and 2020

A Delphi Study to Confirm Essential Components and Activities of Inclusive College-Based Transition Services

College-based transition services are a model of transition services offered in college or university settings for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who receive transition services after age 18. This method of transition service has existed in some form for over three decades. However, little guidance is available on the composition or structure of these college-based transition programs. We conducted a Delphi study with a group of national experts to identify and confirm the essential key components and activities of providing inclusive, college-based transition services. The study identified eight components, including 1) community-based transition services; 2) student's self-determination and self-advocacy; 3) family engagement and partnerships; 4) advising, course of study, and enrollment; 5) student support for college success; 6) staff development; 7) integrated paid employment; and 8) evaluation. We provide implications for research and practice

Annual report of the cohort 3 TPSID model demonstration projects (Year 1, 2020–2021)

Think College REPORTS present descriptive data in narrative and tabular form to provide timely information to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers for review and use. This report provides program- and student-level data reported by TPSIDs (Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities) during the 2020-2021 academic year. Program data reflect program characteristics, academic access, supports for students, and integration of the program within the institute of higher education during the first year of FY 2020-2025 funding. This report also provides information on the strategic partnerships and financial sustainability of TPSID programs. Student data reflect study demographics, course enrollments, employment activities, and engagement in student life

Paid Employment of Transition-age Youth with Intellectual Disability and Autism Compared with Other Youth

Employment is one of the most significant markers of independence and success for a person. One’s ability to secure and maintain employment in a paid position can have a significant impact on their overall quality of life, community participation, financial self-sufficiency, and pathway to a long-lasting career. Unfortunately, the paid employment rate for youth and adults with a disability remains markedly lower than their peers without a disability. Our understanding of national employment trends and outcomes for youth with disabilities has been heavily informed by the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) and NLTS2, with data gathered in 1987–1991 and 2001–2009 respectively. The National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012) dataset offers an updated look at employment of youth in 7th–12th grade with data gathered in 2012–2013. Using the NLTS 2012 data, we examined employment in the past 12 months of youth with intellectual disability (ID) and autism (collectively referred to here as ID/A) compared to other populations of youth with and without disabilities

Characteristics of Students that Attended Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSIDs) by VR Partnership Status

The National Coordinating Center (NCC) at Think College, funded by the Office of Postsecondary Education, US Department of Education, provides support, coordination, training, and evaluation for Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) model demonstration project grantees. These TPSID grantees were tasked with creating, expanding, or enhancing high-quality, inclusive postsecondary education (PSE) programs to support positive outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) (e.g., educational attainment, employment, and community inclusion). The NCC has collected data on student demographics, experiences, and outcomes as well as TPSID program attributes, including partnerships with external organizations such as vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies

Comparing State VR Agency Support of Higher Education Access for People with Intellectual and Other Disabilities

This Think College Fast Fact describes the primary findings of a recent study that examined State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies’ engagement with students with disabilities to support postsecondary education

The Power of Expectations

The existence of a special issue of the Journal of Policy and Practice on Intellectual Disabilities focusing on postsecondary education for individuals with intellectual disabilities demon-strates that there are increasing expectations that people withan intellectual disability can and should be given the choice of going to college. And similar to other groups of young peoplewho have gone to college, their path toward college and theoutcomes that they seek and achieve from college will vary considerably.But unlike other college students, the experiences of these young (and not so young) college students with ID may notmerely reflect their personal preferences for and desired out comes from college. Their experiences will also be framed by theperceptions that others have about them and about their capacity to learn while in higher education. These expectations havethe power to expand access to authentic learning experiences orrestrict access to specialized courses and subject matter deemedto be “needed” by students who have an intellectual disability