September 2022: News & Updates |
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College & Career Learning: Inside and Outside the Classroom |
Join us on Nov. 10, 2022 at 2-3pm ET for a webinar with Dr. Katey Burke (pictured left). Dr. Burke will describe the College and Career Learning Model, a practical framework that enables students with intellectual disabilities (ID) and those who support them to intentionally plan for and strengthen college and career abilities, gain related experiences in the campus community, and track progress – all without separate, specialized courses. Click here to reserve your spot! Keep an eye out for other webinar announcements on Think College social media!
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Encourage Students to Engage in our Discussion Group! |
The Emerging Advocate Student Group will have its first back-to-campus meeting on Sept. 28, 2022 from 2-3 pm ET. Hosted by Liz Weintraub, students with disabilities gather on Zoom to learn about advocacy and talk about issues that are important to them. Students can register for the Sept. 28 meeting here. (Parents, program staff, and others may join but remember, this is a meeting for students by students!) Please also encourage students to join our student mailing list at thinkcollege.net/studentsignup.
Photo: Top row left to right: Peach Chinratanalab, Liz Weintraub, Rachel Adams-Duffy. Bottom row left to right: Kenneth Kelty, Majolyn Nunez, Anne Stevenson
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Looking for Think College research and evaluation products? |
The new Research Products webpage offers easy access to our research and evaluation publications and related products including annual data reports from the Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) model demonstration programs, research briefs, fast facts, and peer-reviewed publications.
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We are honored to be honored at the Big Game Ball! |
Oh, what a night! On September 1, Think College was acknowledged for their contribution to the field of inclusive higher education at the Big Game Ball, hosted by the National Down Syndrome Congress. Other honorees included Stephanie Smith Lee, Caden Cox, University of Georgia Destination Dawgs, Georgia Tech EXCEL, and Clemson LIFE, as well as University of Oregon Special Education Graduate Program, and Hallmark Channel. Read more.
Photo left to right: Susanna Miller-Raines, Rebecca Lazo, Kathleen Becht, Clare Papay, Meg Grigal, Cate Weir, Debra Hart
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Have you heard this good news? |
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Check out this video about Pilar Rivera (pictured left), a recent Special Olympics gold medalist and a new student at University of North Texas attending the UNT ELEVAR program, an inclusive postsecondary education program for students with ID.
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NCC Accreditation Workgroup |
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The NCC Accreditation Workgroup has been working hard to develop an accreditation process and guidance for programs seeking accreditation, as well as training and materials for accreditation site reviewers, and an accreditation self-study process.
This fall, the draft accreditation process will be piloted at the UP program at Western Carolina University. We are excited to be entering this next step in the development of a process by which programs can be accredited, and look forward to all we will learn from this pilot. Following this initial pilot, the NCC will be seeking 4 additional college programs to further pilot and refine this process.
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Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) Fact! |
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Technical Assistance Question of the Month |
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Question: Our state does not have any legislation that supports or provides scholarships for students with ID to attend college. How do I find out what legislation other states have written or proposed?
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by Denise Rozell (pictured right)
Director of Policy Innovation, Education & Employment Team, AUCD
The Higher Education Act, the main piece of federal legislation that affects inclusive college programs, in not being reviewed by Congress right now. So, why should you still pay attention to what Congress is up to? Read more.
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by Arin Rook (pictured right)
Knowledge Translation Associate, Think College
Hear from one of the newer members of the Think College team about what they learned so far-- you just might be surprised! Read more.
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Think College Affinity Groups |
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Are you passionate or curious about a specific aspect of transition or postsecondary education? Whether you want to talk or just listen, a Think College Affinity Group is a good way to engage with others. Click the date for details and connection information.
New! Career and Technical Education
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Affinity Group will bring people involved in inclusive postsecondary programs at CTE institutions and those who would like to become more involved in expanding CTE opportunities for students with ID. Meetings will include facilitated discussion as well as guest speakers/experts from the field. Kickoff meeting: September 20, 3-4pm ET.
New! Community College
The purpose of this group is to provide peer to peer learning and support around community colleges and inclusive postsecondary education. Anyone working at or with community colleges or those who are simply curious about how these programs can work, are welcome. Kickoff meeting: October 12, 4-5pm ET.
Technology and UDL
Topic: Apps for Transition Independence
State Alliances
Topic: Lessons Learned from State Alliances
Student Credentials
Topic: Components of a Program of Study for a college certificate aligned to the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)
College-based Transition Services
Topic: Funding Discussion (Memorandums of Agreement with vocational rehabilitation, capitalizing on pre-ETS, examples of schools using IDEA funds, etc.)
Research
Topic: Networking opportunity - Grab your breakfast and come chat with fellow researchers!
Inclusive Campus Life
Topic: Tools & Tricks for Planning, Documenting, and Grading Required Campus Life Activities
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Topic: How becoming a CTP (Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary) Program can tip the scale for VR support of inclusive postsecondary education programs
New Groups Coming Soon
Other Affinity Groups that will be starting later this fall include Employment Partnerships, Early Career Researcher, and Graduate Student Research. Stay tuned for more details in our next newsletter, or sign up now to receive email notifications about a specific group.
For questions about upcoming Affinity Group meetings, contact Shelby at [email protected].
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Other Think College Projects |
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Learn more about the other projects:
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Accessible Media, Web, and Technology Conference
Accessing Higher Ground Conference content focuses on accessible technology that provides access and equity to people with disabilities. Topics include PDF conversion, audio description, creating alternate formats, accessible PowerPoints, and more. The conference includes an Exhibit Hall with over 30 vendors that feature accessible technology and other useful products for creating accessibility for people with disabilities. The conference takes place November 14-18, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. Register now.
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AUCD 2022 Conference, Washington, DC
This November, more than 1,200 researchers, policymakers, practitioners, professionals, self-advocates, community leaders, and students will come together to celebrate accomplishments and take a deeper dive into Health Equity, the social determinants of health, and the steps needed to ensure that every person is provided the best opportunities possible. Register here.
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Capacity Building Institute & Online Events
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For more information about Think College newsletters, contact:
Sheila Johnson
Knowledge Translation Associate I
Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts Boston
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Stay Connected with Think College! |
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