Strengthening Pathways to College for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Think College has released a comprehensive set of resources designed to support vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals in expanding higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. These materials highlight the crucial role that VR plays in promoting access to inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE), which in turn leads to increased independence, skill development, and improved employment outcomes.
The resource hub provides:
- Foundational Guidance – Fact sheets and FAQs that explain how VR services, including Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), career counseling, and job coaching, align with inclusive college programs.
- Models of Collaboration – Case studies from states such as Oklahoma and Colorado that demonstrate effective partnerships between VR agencies and higher education institutions to increase access and employment success.
- Funding and Supports – Information on federal student aid through Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs (CTPs), as well as details on state and campus-based supports that reduce barriers to participation.
- Program Quality and Accreditation – An overview of the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC) and its role in promoting high standards for inclusive college programs.
These resources underscore that VR professionals are not only service providers but also vital partners in shaping equitable futures. By connecting students to inclusive higher education and coordinating the supports needed for success, VR can help ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities have meaningful opportunities for learning, career development, and full participation in community life.