Skip to main content

Inclusive Higher Education for College Students with Intellectual Disability

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Strategies for Supporting Inclusion and Diversity in the Academy

Abstract

Advocacy and public policy have made higher education more accessible for youth with intellectual disability than ever before. This chapter illustrates an exemplary model of inclusive higher education (IHE), successfully being implemented at Vanderbilt University, USA, through the Next Steps at Vanderbilt program. This program provides college students with intellectual disability the opportunity to learn and grow alongside their typically developing peers in a rich and diverse academic environment. This chapter provides insight into several core components of high-quality IHE programs and how these components are implemented on a college campus. Recommendations for adopting inclusive college practices are also addressed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bonati, M. L., Chapman, B., Stenberg, J., Towers, L., & Werkhoven, T. (2019). Lecturers’ perspectives on being involved in teaching students with intellectual disability participating in university courses. In P. O’Brien, M. L. Bonati, F. Gadow, & R. Slee (Eds.), People with intellectual disability experiencing university life: Theoretical underpinnings, evidence and lived experience (pp. 205–216). Boston, MA: Brill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, L. N., Sheppard-Jones, K., Whaley, B., Harrison, B., & Osness, M. (2016). Does participation in higher education make a difference in life outcomes for students with intellectual disability? Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 44(3), 295–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, E. W. (2018). Inclusive higher education and a future of flourishing. In Inclusive higher education: Practices and perspectives from the Southeast (pp. 4–13). Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, E. W., Bottema-Beutel, K., & Brock, M. E. (2014). Social interactions and friendships. In M. Agran, F. Brown, C. Hughes, C. Quirk, & D. Ryndak (Eds.), Equity and full participation for individuals with severe disabilities: A vision for the future (pp. 197–216). Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, E. W., Brock, M. E., & Trainor, A. A. (2014). Transition assessment and planning for youth with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Journal of Special Education, 47(4), 245–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, E. W., Gustafson, J. R., Mackay, M. M., Martin, K. P., Parsley, M. V., Graves, J., … Schiro-Geist, C. (2019). Motivations and expectations of peer mentors within inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual disability. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 42(3), 168–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Claes, C., Van Hove, G., Vandevelde, S., van Loon, J., & Schalock, R. (2010). Person-centered planning: Analysis of research and effectiveness. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 48(6), 432–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gadow, F., & Macdonald, J. (2019). Scope, challenges and outcomes of an inclusive tertiary university initiative in Australia. In P. O’Brien, M. L. Bonati, F. Gadow, & R. Slee (Eds.), People with intellectual disability experiencing university life: Theoretical underpinnings, evidence and lived experience (pp. 129–140). Boston, MA: Brill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilson, C. B., & Carter, E. W. (2016). Promoting social interactions and job independence for college students with autism or intellectual disability: A pilot study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(11), 3583–3596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, J. C., Cleary, D. S., & Cannella-Malone, H. I. (2017). A model for enhancing employment outcomes through postsecondary education. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 46(3), 287–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, M. M., Mello, M. P., Glover, C. A., Carter, E. W., & Hodapp, R. (2016a). Supporting students with intellectual disability in postsecondary education: The motivations and experiences of peer mentors. Inclusion, 4(2), 75–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, M. M., Wendel, K. F., Day, T. L., & McMillan, E. D. (2016b). Developing peer supports for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 29(3), 263–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigal, M., Hart, D., & Weir, C. (2012). Think college standards, quality indicators, and benchmarks for inclusive higher education. Boston, MA: Institute for Community Inclusion.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigal, M., Hart, D., & Weir, C. (2013). Postsecondary education for people with intellectual disability: Current issues and critical challenges. Inclusion, 1(1), 50–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haber, M. G., Mazzotti, V. L., Mustian, A. L., Rowe, D. A., Bartholomew, A. L., Test, D. W., & Fowler, C. H. (2016). What works, when, for whom, and with whom: A meta-analytic review of predictors of postsecondary success for students with disabilities. Review of Educational Research, 86(1), 123–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart, F., Boyle, M., & Jones, M. (2017). Foundational skills for college and career learning plan. Boston, MA: University of Boston. Retrieved January 2020, from https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/resources/foundationskills7_6_17mbdt.pdf

  • Hughson, E. A., & Uditsky, B. (2019). 30 years of inclusive post-secondary education. In P. O’Brien, M. L. Bonati, F. Gadow, & R. Slee (Eds.), People with intellectual disability experiencing university life: Theoretical underpinnings, evidence and lived experience (pp. 51–68). Boston, MA: Brill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M. M., Harrison, B., Harp, B., & Sheppard-Jones, K. (2016). Teaching college students with intellectual disability: What faculty members say about the experience. Inclusion, 4(2), 89–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kubiak, J., Spassiani, N., Shevlin, M., & O’Keeffe, M. (2019). Developing post-secondary education programmes for people with intellectual disabilities at Trinity College, the University of Dublin, Ireland. In P. O’Brien, M. L. Bonati, F. Gadow, & R. Slee (Eds.), People with intellectual disability experiencing university life: Theoretical underpinnings, evidence and lived experience (pp. 141–153). Boston, MA: Brill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipscomb, S., Haimson, J., Liu, A. Y., Burghardt, J., Johnson, D. R., & Thurlow, M. L. (2017). Preparing for life after high school: The characteristics and experiences of youth in special education. Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012. Volume 2: Comparisons across disability groups. Report No. NCEE 2017-4018. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manikas, A., Carter, E. W., & Bumble, J. L. (2018). Inclusive community service among college students with and without intellectual disability: A pilot study. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 31(3), 225–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, E. J., & Schelling, A. (2015). Postsecondary inclusion for individuals with an intellectual disability and its effects on employment. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 19(2), 130–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newman, L., Wagner, M., Cameto, R., & Knokey, A. M. (2009). The post-high school outcomes of youth with disabilities up to 4 years after high school. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Next Steps at Vanderbilt. (2018). Promoting excellence in scholarship, in education, and in inclusion and equity. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt Peabody College. Retrieved December 2019, from http://docplayer.net/130447248-Next-steps-at-vanderbilt-promoting-excellence-in-scholarship-in-education-and-in-inclusion-and-equity.html

  • Papay, C., Trivedi, K., Smith, F. A., & Grigal, M. (2017). One year after exit: A first look at outcomes of students who completed TPSIDs. Think College Fast Facts, 17, 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratti, V., Hassiotis, A., Crabtree, J., Deb, S., Gallagher, P., & Unwin, G. (2016). The effectiveness of person-centred planning for people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 57, 63–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheef, A. R., Barrio, B. L., Poppen, M. I., McMahon, D., & Miller, D. (2018). Exploring barriers for facilitating work experience opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in postsecondary education programs. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 31(3), 209–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, E. T., Carter, E. W., & Simplican, S. C. (2019). First-year orientation programs involving undergraduates with intellectual disability: Exploring barriers and belonging. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shogren, K. A., & Broussard, R. (2011). Exploring the perceptions of self-determination of individuals with intellectual disability. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 49(2), 86–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., & Thompson, J. R. (2016). Person-centered and student-directed planning. In M. L. Wehmeyer & K. A. Shogren (Eds.), Handbook of research-based practices for education students with intellectual disability (pp. 167–182). New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. J., & Lowrey, K. A. (2017). Applying the universal design for learning framework for individuals with intellectual disability: The future must be now. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 55(1), 48–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smull, M. W., Bourne, M. L., & Sanderson, H. (2009). Becoming a person-centered system. Annapolis, MD: Support Development Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefánsdóttir, G. V., & Björnsdóttir, K. (2019). Meaningful participation and shared ownership in an inclusive university program in Iceland. In P. O’Brien, M. L. Bonati, F. Gadow, & R. Slee (Eds.), People with intellectual disability experiencing university life: Theoretical underpinnings, evidence and lived experience (pp. 115–128). Boston, MA: Brill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wintle, J. (2015). Preparing students with intellectual disabilities to audit inclusive university courses. British Journal of Special Education, 42(2), 183–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lauren Bethune-Dix .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Bethune-Dix, L. et al. (2020). Inclusive Higher Education for College Students with Intellectual Disability. In: Crimmins, G. (eds) Strategies for Supporting Inclusion and Diversity in the Academy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43593-6_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43593-6_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-43592-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-43593-6

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics