THIS IS GREAT, BUT I THINK I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE
Well, you're in luck. We also have a HELP DESK with a team of folks happy to talk with you or send you answers to your specific questions. Just shoot us an email at thinkcollegeTA@gmail.com and we will get you the information you need.
WHAT KIND OF PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AND WHERE ARE THEY?
Think College has a college search tool for students and families to see and compare inclusive postsecondary education programs around the country. Users can search for colleges by location, program features, school type, and get basic information about each program's acceptance rate, cost, and programs of study. But, online searches only tell you so much. It is really important to call or visit to get more information. Think College created a college search guide to help families and students ask the right questions and figure out what is important to them. To learn more visit: thinkcollege.net/college-search
THINK COLLEGE, THINK EMPLOYMENT
This October, as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we can also celebrate the strong connection between postsecondary education and employment outcomes.
Students with intellectual disability who attend postsecondary education, experience remarkable outcomes: 60-65% find competitive, integrated employment, compared to the overall 18-19% national rate and 51% earn higher wages than those who did not access postsecondary education.
The statistics paint a clear picture: higher education can be a game-changer for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It's a pathway to independence, better employment opportunities, and improved quality of life. National Disability Employment Awareness Month is not just a time to reflect on the progress we've made; it's an opportunity to envision a future where every individual has equal access to education and employment opportunities.
Join us in celebrating this month of awareness and empowerment and take the first step to learn more at thinkhigh- ered.net. If you feel inspired, share some of our Think College resources with another parent, with a teacher, or with your child. You may just make someone's college dream come true! • Funding information statement: Think College projects are funded by grants from the US Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (Grant #P407B200001 and Grant #P407C210001).
ABOUT THINK COLLEGE
Think College
iNSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY INCLUSION, UMASS BOSTON
Think College is a national technical assistance, research, and evaluation center dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving higher education options for students with intellectual disability. It is housed at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Think College has multiple federally funded projects including the National Coordinating Center, the Inclusive Higher Education Network, Future Quest Island: Explorations, and Transition Leadership. Together, these projects strive to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with intellectual disability. Think College staff provide free assistance to students and families, secondary and higher education professionals, community providers, and policy makers to via our website, national help desk, and accessible resources. thinkcollege.net
References
Grigal et al., 2022) compared to the overall 18-19% national rate (National Core Indicators, 2022) and 51% earn higher wages than those who did not access postsecondary education (Smith et al., 2018).
Grigal, M., Hart, D., Papay, C., Choiseul-Praslin, B., & Lazo, R. (2022). Annual Report of the Cohort 3 TPSID Model Demonstration Projects (Year 1, 2020–2021). Boston, MA: University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion.
National Core Indicators (2022). Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2020-21 In-Person Survey (IPS): Work. National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services and Human Services Research Institute.
Smith, F., Grigal, M., & Shepard, J. (2018). Impact of postsecondary education on employment outcomes of youth with intellectual disability served by vocational rehabilitation. Think College Fast Facts, Issue No. 18. Boston, MA: University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Meg Grigal, Ph.D. is a senior research fellow at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston and the co-director of Think College, a national center focused on research, policy and practice on inclusive higher education for people with intellectual disability. At Think College, Meg serves as a principal investigator on a variety of research, technical assistance, and evaluation projects including the Think College National Coordinating Center and the Inclusive Higher Education Network. Dr. Grigal's work has led to expansion of higher education options for students with intellectual disabilities throughout the US and internationally.