Winter 2023, Issue 6

This quarterly newsletter will feature updates from the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network (Think College Network) as well as news from the field, including upcoming events and opportunities related to inclusive higher education across the US.

Updates from the Think College Network

TCN Milestones

This last year has been very busy for The Think College Network. We've got a lot to be proud of, and we are grateful for the support of our network and partners to make it all possible.

Some of our milestones:

Expanded our team, adding seven new staff members
Supported three new regional alliances to launch in 2023
Reached out to all 50 states to support alliance building
Launched several new affinity groups
Provided over 100 hours of technical assistance to support state and regional alliance development

Explore more about TCN

One Stop Shop for Information on State Alliances - Now Available!

Looking for information on state alliances? We now have all the information you need available in one, easy-to-access location on our website.

Check it out

Think College Goes Global

Last fall Meg Grigal and Debra Hart traveled to Salzburg, Austria to attend and present our work at the European State-Of-The-Art Congress on Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programme for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (EU SOTA).

Read more in Meg's recent blog, where she reflects on their experience in Austria and discusses inclusive higher education as a growing international movement.

Welcoming Odgerel (Oge)

We are excited to announce that Odgerel (Oge) Dashzeveg has joined the Think College team as Program Assistant for both the National Coordinating Center and Inclusive Higher Education Network.

Affinity Groups

Think College hosts Affinity Groups on topics related to higher education for students with intellectual disability (ID).

What is an Affinity Group?

A group of people who come together based on areas of common interest and need.

Who can attend?

Anyone with an interest can attend, new members are always welcome.

Where are the meetings held?

Meetings are primarily held online.

Where can I learn more?

We have 12 affinity groups all on different topics, find out more details about all 12 groups on our website today.

Learn more about Affinity Groups

Have you attended any of our affinity group meetings yet?

Yes

Not yet, but I am interested

What's Happening in Your State?

Stay in the know with this important tool

Use the Think College interactive map to see updates on activities and policies related to college education for students with intellectual disability in each state.

You can also search for specific legislation and statewide organizations for IPSE by state.

Find my state

State policy highlight

The Indiana State Board of Education has approved a new diploma option for students with significant cognitive disabilities. If approved by the Governor, students could become eligible for the alternative diploma as early as this spring.

‘I’m fulfilling my dream.’ UK College and Career Studies program finishes 1st semester"

This article is an excellent write-up reflecting on the first semester of the University of Kentucky's new College and Career Studies Program, featured in the UK News.

"Stanford should include students with intellectual and developmental disabilities"

An inspiring call-to-action featured in the Stanford Daily Opinions section calling for an Inclusive Postsecondary Education program at Stanford.

Augie Access Program to Offer First Experience Camp in South Dakota for Students With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

This article discusses the Augustana University Augie Access Program in South Dakota, which will offer its first summer experience camp for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities this summer.

University of Kansas awarded grant to expand research that supports Kansans with disabilities and their families

Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities awarded $2.9 million to expand its work that supports Kansans with disabilities and their families.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Awareness Month

Each year in February we celebrate and promote CTE Awareness Month. CTE programs specialize in preparing students to work in the skilled trades, applied sciences, and modern technologies.

Read our article about CTE Awareness month on the Think College website.

Read the article

Collaborative Workgroup Thumbnail graphic clipart of classroom

Establishing a Workgroup for Career and Technical Education

It is important that postsecondary career and technical education programs are available and accessible to students with intellectual disability.

Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network has partnered with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities to develop a collaborative workgroup focused on expanding access to CTE for students with ID.

Learn more about the CTE Workgroup

NTACT: Quick Guide: Career and Technical Education and Secondary Students with Disabilities

This Quick Guide from the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) is to provide an overview of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and strategies to improve accessibility for students with disabilities in CTE classrooms and programs.

This is a helpful resource for all CTE faculty members in designing high-quality and accessible classroom and work-based experiences.

Job Opportunities

Millersville University's Integrated Studies is hiring a Director of Integrated Studies. Find out more!

Visit the Think College employment opportunities webpage for current IPSE-related job openings across the country.

View jobs

Graphic of newspaper with magnifying glass

Have a job you wanted shared? E-mail us at: ThinkCollegeIHEN@umb.edu

For Students

Ruby's Rainbow Scholarship

The Ruby's Rainbow scholarship application is open now through April 17, 2023!

Ruby’s Rainbow grants scholarships to students with Down syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education.

Find out more

ASAN 2023 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is now accepting applications for the 2023 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy! ACI helps autistic students learn to make their college campuses better for people with disabilities.

ACI 2023 will be held from July 10th through 19th, 2023.

Get more info

Calling Student Advocates!

The Emerging Advocates is a group for students with disabilities that are interested in advocacy work.

This group meets four times a year on Zoom to talk about disability advocacy, share ideas, and make friends. New people are always welcome to join.

This group is run by and for people with disabilities.

Learn More

cartoon graphic of three people holding signs and a mega phone

What are we Reading?

In honor of Black History Month, we want to uplift the legacy of Black disabled advocates and activists that helped lay the foundations of and continue to lead the way of the disability rights movement. It is important to understand the intersections of race and disability in promoting inclusion and equity everywhere.

Here are some reading and viewing recommendations from our team to celebrate Black History Month.

Cover of Black Disability Politics by Sami Schalk

Sami Schalk’s new book, Black Disability Politics, is open access and can be downloaded for free online.

Read it now

Disability Rights Florida has a graphical list highlighting Black disability activists and advocates from throughout history and modern day.

Check it out

"Born to Advocate: Portraits of Black Mothers of Children on the Autism Spectrum", a recorded session from Arizona Center for Disability Law and the African American Conference on Disabilities, Feb 2022.

This session was presented by Elizabeth Holliday Morgan, Ph.D., and Benita Shaw and is available to watch for free on YouTube.

Watch now