Advancing Access to Higher Education for Students with Intellectual Disability in the United States

Abstract

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.

Post-Secondary Education Outcomes for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Self-Determination, Independent Living, Employment, and the Impact of COVID-19

“…Such individuals with less educational experience were also less likely to be employed and more likely to work fewer weekly hours [11]. Grigal et al [12] stated that only 19% of adults with IDD had a paid job in the community in the period 2018-2019. These facts highlight an imperative need for individuals with IDD to attend PSE programs and receive employment-focused training.…”

An Ideological View of College: A Textual Analysis of Republican Party Platforms from 1948 to 2020

“…Public opinion within the United States of America regarding the value of a col-Open Journal of Political Science lege education is mixed and complex (Bobo, 1997;Finn Jr., 1988;Immerwahr, 2004). Various political policies have been implemented to increase the access to and affordability of higher education (Grigal et al, 2021;Mountford-Zimdars & Sabbagh, 2013;Rodriguez & Wan, 2010). Since political policies reflect competing relative valuations (Hordijk et al, 2006), if not underlying values (Burch, 2007;Selden et al, 1999), it is reasonable to expect that the Republican and Democratic parties hold different policy preferences regarding college education (Dar, 2012;Doyle, 2007;Taylor et al, 2020).…”

Promoting Disability Community in Supporting Inclusion Development: A Preliminary Study

“…Discrimination against persons with disabilities especially due to work is still common and occurs in aspects that affect social life. Some aspects that often become obstacles in accessing services include: access to education services [3], health services [4], and technology which causes low education and participation in development [5]. Furthermore, Dammeyer (2018) [6]stated that discrimination that occurs in groups of people with disabilities affects psychological aspects which in turn have an impact on their social interactions in society.…”