collage of students with disabilities on campus and in a classroom

November 2022

News & Announcements

Recruiting Programs for Accreditation Pilot

The NCC Accreditation Workgroup is currently recruiting programs to pilot the newly developed accreditation process. This is an opportunity to shape the future of program accreditation and we encourage you to consider volunteering for this important work.

Requirements to participate:

Program has been in operation at least 3 years
Program has graduated at least 2 cohorts of students

The pilot process will start in September 2023 and run through June 2025. Review these Frequently Asked Questions for more information on what it means to be a pilot site. To volunteer as a pilot site, complete the interest form and we will follow-up. We are looking for programs at a variety of types of institutes of higher education, including community colleges and technical colleges. To learn more about accreditation, visit our resource page.

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Welcome Mindy!

Join us in welcoming Mindy Lingo as a training developer with the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network. Mindy brings considerable experience and knowledge of transition and inclusive postsecondary education. Most recently, Mindy was the director of a comprehensive integrated program for students with intellectual disability at the University of Oklahoma.

New Publications from the NCC

It is considered best practice for all postsecondary education programs for students with ID to be formally affiliated with a department or division at their university or college. Locations of Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs in Institutions’ Administrative Structures shares the administrative locations of current Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) programs based on data collected from both Cohort 2 (2015-2020) and Cohort 3 (2020-2025) projects.

Also new this month is Profile of Students Attending Cohort 2 TPSID Programs: Enrollment and Completion by Gender, Race, and Ethnicity, a report that highlights student demographic data from Cohort 2 (2015-2020) TPSID programs.

Upcoming Webinars

Getting a Head Start: Planning for College Success Now

Jan. 18, 2023, 3-4pm ET

Presenter: Maria Paiewonsky, Institute of Community Inclusion, UMass Boston

Are you part of an individualized education program (IEP) team? This webinar is for you! Our presenter, Maria Paiewonsky, will share recommendations for IEP team members to develop and support IEP goals that align with the preparation, knowledge, and skills students need at college.

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

March 23, 2023, 2-3pm ET

Presenter: Jaclyn Camden, ACE-IT, Virginia Commonwealth University

Inclusive college program staff play a vital role in helping students get paid jobs but there are many other steps to ensure the student has a successful employment experience. Attend this webinar to learn about strategies and tips for working with employers once a student is hired.

How Engaged are Your Students in Campus Life?

May 2, 2023, 2-3pm ET

Presenters: Jennifer Sulewski and Ashley Luce, Institute of Community Inclusion, UMass Boston and Lindsay Krech, Next Steps, Vanderbilt University

College students with ID often have engagement requirements in campus social, academic, and volunteer or internship activities as a component of their program of study. In this webinar, our presenters will discuss ways programs can support authentic community life engagement on campus.

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

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

We are excited to share the Show Me College website developed by the TPSID program at University of Missouri- St. Louis (UMSL), together with Institute for Human Development at University of Missouri Kansas City, St. Louis ARC and the Special School District of St. Louis County. The website is a resource for Missourians (and others) to explore higher education options for students with ID. It offers resources for students, family members, educators, and counselors to help prepare youth for college. While the website highlights college options in MO, many of the resources may be helpful to those in other states and regions. Visit Show Me College .

Recommended Resources

adult blonde woman sitting with a young student in a striped shirt looking at a computer

Webpage: Family Resources

Families have many questions about inclusive postsecondary education. Is college possible? How do we prepare? Can I afford it? We put together a page with answers to the most frequently asked questions families have about college. Visit the webpage now.

Conducting a College Search: Questions to Ask College Programs

This resource provides guidance to students with ID and their families on questions to ask when gathering information about college programs. It was designed to be used with the College Search, our online directory of postsecondary education programs for students with ID.

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Handout: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Can Think College

Are you a vocational rehabilitation counselor? Let us help you Think College! This handout provides ideas, suggestions, and supporting evidence for vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors to support and encourage college planning for students with ID.

Think College Affinity Groups

Think College hosts professional development affinity groups on topics related to higher education for students with ID. Click a date/time to register for an upcoming meeting. Sign up to receive email updates and announcements here.

New! Employment Partnerships

This affinity group is for people interested in collaborations between employers, higher education institutions, VR, and developmental disability agencies and others who support students with ID. The first meeting is November 29, 2-3pm ET

Student Credentials

Topic: Capturing co-curricular activities in your program of study without creating specialized courses

November 29, 3-4pm ET

State Alliances

Topic: What can the Think College Network do for you? Introduction to Think College’s Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Team, discussion of statewide needs assessments related to IPSE, Q&A around TTA needs

November 30, 3-4pm ET

College-based Transition Services

Topic: The ramp up from college-based transition to continuing attending college after transition.

December 8, 2-3pm ET

Technology & UDL

Topic: Internet safety and wellness

December 15, 3-4pm ET

Inside Think College Blog

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The Power of Connectedness

By Danielle Dahm, Think College Staff

Danie and Susanna reflect on the first year of the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network and the top 10 things the Network has accomplished since funding began on October 1, 2021. Read more.

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What I Learned About Work from Ashley

By Sheila Johnson, Think College Staff

Sheila shares the valuable lessons she learned about work from a former colleague at the Institute for Community Inclusion and current friend, Ashley. Read more.

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Building Value Networks to Work Towards a Shared Goal

By Sara Pound, Think College Staff

Sara reflects on the possibilities for networking while attending the National College Attainment Network conference, where numerous professional groups were in attendance. Read more.

For Students

Encourage Students to Engage in this Discussion Group!

December 1, 2022, from 3-4pm ET

The next Emerging Advocate Student Group meeting will be December 1, 2022, from 3-4pm ET. The meeting is hosted by Liz Weintraub with discussion led by different students each month. Students can register for the meeting here.

Please also encourage students to join the emerging advocates student mailing list at thinkcollege.net/studentsignup.

Other Think College Projects

The Moving Transition Forward (MTF) project

MTF examines the composition and impact of existing transition practices for students with intellectual disability and autism (ID/A). Check out their new publications.

Parent Expectations for Youth with Intellectual Disability and Autism Compared with Other Youth Read the research on parent expectations for students with ID/A compared to expectations of students in other disability groups.

Paid Employment of Transition-age Youth with Intellectual Disability and Autism Compared with Other Youth Read the findings from a student on employment in the past 12 months of youth with ID/A compared to other populations of youth with and without disabilities.

Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network project

The Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network just published a webpage dedicated to state alliance resources. The page shares information and resources to help individuals learn more about state alliances supporting college opportunities for students with ID. Visit now to check out the featured resources, frequently asked questions, and quick links.

Future Quest Island – Explorations (FQI-E)

FQI-E is an accessible and standards-based curriculum designed to improve outcomes in the areas of self-concept, social and emotional competence, early college, and career awareness. For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.fqie.org.

Learn more about the other projects:

Partner Organizations

New AUCD Resource: Changing the Way We Care for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

To support clinicians and health system leaders in understanding and combating the barriers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face when accessing health care, AUCD has partnered with Community Catalyst, clinicians, and self-advocates to produce this series of two educational videos.

Call for Participation: CHAMPS Survey

If you're an adult with IDD living in the U.S., its territories, or tribal communities, the National COVID-19 Resiliency Network (NCRN) wants to hear from you! Take a brief survey about your feelings, needs, and experiences related to COVID-19.

Employment Opportunities Across the AUCD Network

The AUCD National Office is currently hiring an Emerging Leaders intern, a communications coordinator, a LEND Audiology intern, a program specialist for the URC Team, a program manager for the Act-Early Project, and a senior program manager for the Public Health Team. There’s also a wide range of employment opportunities across the AUCD network. Explore all openings listed on AUCD's employment page.

2023 AHEAD Management Institutes

January 26-28, 2023, in San Diego, California

AHEAD’s Management Institutes offer an intimate setting, hands-on learning, networking opportunities, and experienced faculty that bring attendees back year after year. To learn more about the two-day Institute, visit the conference website.

Fall 2022 AHEAD Webinar Series

AHEAD’s fall webinar program features 9 webinars with 17 speakers, representing a wealth of knowledge, experience, and backgrounds. Check out the schedule.