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February 2023

News & Announcements

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We love our new homepage!

Because every day there is something new. We have 992 resources on our webpage and we add more every week. Don’t know where to start? Start with the homepage. You’ll find the 5 most recent resources uploaded. Why wait for the monthly newsletter? Go to the homepage for weekly news about the NCC and the other Think College projects. What else changes? Blog updates, the events calendar, and our Twitter feed. Check out the homepage today… and again next week and the week after.

It’s not too late to update your college program info

Think College's College Search tool is the only directory of college and university programs for students with intellectual disability in the US. Starting in early January, we asked programs currently listed in the directory to update their information. We are happy to say 75% of these programs have updated their information and we are eager to hear from the final 25%. Help us by updating your program information by (or before) February 24! Need your survey link? Contact Shelby at [email protected].

New Publications for Think College

NEW 2023 Edition! Federal Financial Student Aid for Students with Intellectual Disability

This Insight Brief discusses how students with intellectual disability can utilize federal financial aid to help pay for college. A plain language of this document is available here.

NEW 2023 Edition! Scholarships for Students with Intellectual Disability This resource was created to help families and others locate scholarship money to help pay for college. There are scholarships listed that any student is eligible for, and many that are for students with specific disabilities.

Meet Janai and Her Employment Partners

In this publication describes the impact of employment partnerships using the story of Janai, an alumni of the ACE-IT in College program at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Matching In-school Predictors of Post-school Success to Variables in the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012

Reviews of the transition literature have identified 23 in-school predictors of post-school success for students with disabilities. This means the practices used in high school which lead to better student outcomes. This report shares findings from a Moving Transition Forward Project study aimed at mapping available variables in the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012) Phase I dataset to the 23 in-school predictors of post-school success to better understand transition experiences for students with disabilities.

Comparing Access to In-School Predictors of Post-School Success for Students with Intellectual Disability in Conventional and College-Based Transition Services

This Think College Report shares findings from a recent study conducted by the Moving Transition Forward Project. The study focused on identifying and comparing the prevalence of in-school predictors of postschool success in conventional vs. college-based transition services. The study found potential advantages to offering college-based transition services, as well as guidance about priority areas where transition services could be improved in both conventional and college-based approaches.

Upcoming Webinars

Collaborating with Employers: Strategies and Tips for Supporting Students with Intellectual Disabilities on the Job

Mar. 23, 2023, 2-3pm ET

Presenter: Jaclyn Camden, Virginia Commonwealth University

Access to paid employment while in college for students with ID is critical to preparing students to enter careers upon graduation. Inclusive college program staff play a vital role in supporting students to obtain paid jobs during college. While assisting students to get a job is one of the first steps to a successful employment experience, it is not the last. Attend our March webinar to learn more about the support you can provide students to students on the job and the support you can provide to the employer. Our presenter, Jaclyn Camden, will share essential components, strategies, and tips for working with employers.

Don’t miss our final webinar in May!

How Engaged are Your Students in Campus Life?

May 2, 2023, 2-3pm ET

Presenters: Jennifer Sulewski, University of New Hampshire, Ashley Luce, UMass Boston & Lindsay Krech, Vanderbilt University

This webinar will provide four guideposts to assist programs in supporting authentic community life engagement on campus.

Blog

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Informed Sex is Good Sex: Prioritizing Intimacy Education for College Students with Intellectual Disability

by Chelsea VanHorn Stinnett, Think College staff

For the health, safety, and happiness of people with intellectual disabilities, intimacy education is key. Read Chelsea's post to find out ways you can make sure college students with ID have access to information about relationships and intimacy.

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Building Capacity for State and Regional Alliances

by Danie Roberts-Dahm and Susanna Miller-Raines, Think College staff

The expansion and creation of state and regional alliances for inclusive postsecondary education is great news-- what does it mean? Click here to find out!

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Inclusive Higher Education: A Growing Global Movement

By Meg Grigal, Think College staff

Read Meg’s reflections about a recent conference, the European State-of-the-Art Congress, and the growth of inclusive higher education in Europe.

Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID)

TPSID are model demonstration projects funded by the US Department of Education.

Next Stop: Alabama

Think College NCC road trips continue! Rebecca Lazo and Cate Weir from the NCC will be in Alabama for the week of February 13, visiting the TPSID sites at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and University of South Alabama in Mobile. While there, we will meet with faculty, program staff, administrators, families, and most importantly students in these programs. The visits help us to see what is happening “on the ground” at each TPSID and to hear directly from all those involved, which is invaluable to us.

Fun fact about the Alabama TPSIDs - each has two programs for students with ID on campus. At University of Alabama, there is a program for transition-aged students from the Tuscaloosa School District AND a three-year certificate program for students who have left high school. University of South Alabama boasts a two-year program for students out of high school and a second two-year program for advanced studies for students who have completed the first program.

There are over 30 TPSID sites across the US and we plan to get to them all! Stay tuned for a report about our visits in Alabama and where we will be going next.

Think College Affinity Groups

Think College hosts professional development Affinity Groups on topics related to higher education for students with intellectual disability. Below are upcoming meetings and links to registration pages. Sign up to receive email updates and announcements via this Google Form.

Career and Technical Education Affinity Group

February 21, 3-4pm ET, Zoom registration

Topic: Industry recognized credentials

Early Career Researchers Affinity Group

February 23, 1-2pm, Zoom registration

Topic: Collaborative Research Ideas

Technology and UDL Affinity Group

Date: March 16, 3-4pm ET, Zoom registration

Topic: Tech Skills for Entering College

State Alliances Affinity Group

Date: March 22, 3-4pm ET, Zoom registration

Topic: Engaging Interns and Graduate Students

Emerging Advocates Student Group

Sign up for Thursday’s student meeting!

The Emerging Advocates Student Group meets this week (Thursday, Feb. 16) at 7:00pm. Yes, this is a new start time! We know some students are in class, or at work or an internship in the afternoon. We hope this time works well for you and new students will join!

You need to register for the meeting. Click here to register. We can’t wait to meet you!

Click here to check out the group’s webpage. Email Liz at [email protected] or Sheila at [email protected] for more info.

You can also sign up for the next meeting on April 11, 2023, from 3-4pm ET. Click here to register.

Announcements Think College Projects

Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network

Help Think College Network help YOU in supporting faculty to include students with intellectual disability in college courses! If you are someone who oversees or coordinates academic support for students with intellectual disability enrolled in inclusive coursework, please complete this brief survey. If you complete all required items, you will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. More information is included in the survey introduction! Contact [email protected] with questions.

Transition Leadership Graduate Degree/Certification Program

UMass Boston has a Transition Leadership Program that prepares professionals for a transition specialist endorsement or national certificate. Attend an upcoming informational session on Feb. 22 at 12pm or March 8 at 3pm. Staff will review the fully online 18 credit course of study, field assignments and other program features. Information regarding costs and the application will also be shared. Sign up here. And bring your questions!

College Matters Florida

Check out College Matters Florida: Administrator Perspectives, the lates video from College Matters Florida. The project team interviewed administrators from Broward College, Santa Fe College, and the University of South Florida. The administrators spoke about the value of college for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the positive impact their participation has on the campus community.

Learn more about our other projects:

Partner Organizations

AUCD Leadership Academy

Application Deadline: March 3, 2023

The AUCD Leadership Academy is a one-year program that is designed for current and emerging leaders from the disability community. The program's goal is to develop and improve leadership skills. The Academy teaches people how to improve systems of support and services, including federal and state agencies, and advocacy organizations. Click here to learn more.

2023 Disability Policy Seminar

March 20- 22, 2023, Washington, DC

The Disability Policy Seminar offers the opportunity for passionate advocates, self-advocates, experts, and professionals in the field to come together and learn about key issues that affect them most. Learn more.

2023 AHEAD Spring Webinar Series

The Spring 2023 Webinar Series was created to address current issues that face AHEAD members at all career stages and at all institution types. Learn more.

AHEAD 2023: Exhibit, Market, Sponsor!

AHEAD’s Annual Equity and Excellent conference happens July 17-21, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. Interested in being an exhibiter? Visit the conference webpage to learn more.

Capacity Building Institute & Online Events

The NTACT:C Capacity Building Institute (CBI) will provide participants from state interagency transition teams access to content and panel discussions; engagement with colleagues and content resources; and facilitated strategic planning time. Learn more.