What are other states doing?
Evidence and research from the hundreds of programs in higher education for people with IDD clearly demonstrate successful outcomes for students.
Job placement rates are usually between 90-100%, well above the 34% for the population with IDD overall.
THINK College is a major supporter of inclusive higher education programming in the US. They provide training and support for grants and programming that best suit the institution and the students being served there.
Scroll down to find stories of success in these programs!
State of Inclusive
Higher-ed in the US
According to THINK College:
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6000+ Students with IDD are attending 300-360 U.S. Colleges and Universities
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Two & Four-year Programs offered at Universities and Community Colleges
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Students are often mixed with the general population and also have classes specifically for their program
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Program advisors work with faculty to modify the curriculum to make it accessible for people with IDD
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48 States have programs
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Oregon will soon join New Hampshire & New Mexico, the only other states without inclusive higher education programs.
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Click on this link to see an interactive map where you can look at programs in each state!
Politics of Funding
Successful states frame inclusive higher education as a workforce and economic issue, not just a 'disability service.' Many of these states view these programs as a return on investment! People experiencing IDD earn more money (paying more taxes!) and are less dependent upon social services that rely on tax dollars.
When higher education is linked to employment and independence, policy-makers are more willing to invest.
Empowering our communities
The employment rate for people with intellectual disabilities is arounf 19%, whereas the employment rate for people without ID is about 63%.
Inclusive higher education graduates from these programs tend to stay in their jobs much longer, as well.
Graduates use 31% fewer government services compared to those who did not attend an inclusive higher education program. They also show decreased reliance on Social Security Income.
Students have opportunities to join clubs, Greek Life, and live in campus housing, providing them with networks and opportunities to build a larger community and give their neurotypical peers insight into and empathy with the IDD community.
There are several factors we have identified that have been barriers to inclusive higher education in the State of Oregon:
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Historic and chronic underfunding of K-12 and higher education
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Current budget crises in the state have put even more strain on school districts and higher education, making it even more challenging to make inroads.
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While bills have been introduced to urge the state and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to support the program at PSU, they have failed to pass.
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While few people actively oppose these efforts, legislators say the challenge lies with universities and colleges.
What we're doing to support our communities
It's not an easy time to advocate for the rights of people who experience disabilities. We know that much of the hard-fought efforts of the last several decades are threatened, from education and labor protections to the potential loss of community support and health services.
But if we don't start now, we'll be even farther behind later.
We need advocacy in our communities, with our elected officials, and in our colleges and universities.
We'd love to know what you are doing and connect you with others who are working towards the same goal! Please reach out. We'd love ot connect!
