Demonstrating Progress and Potential: Lessons Learned From Federally Funded Inclusive Postsecondary Education in the United States

Students with intellectual disability are attending college in the United States more than they have in the past due to new laws and funding. A government initiative called the Transition and Postsecondary Program for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) model demonstration program funded the development or expansion of more postsecondary education programs. A national coordinating centre gathered data from all TPSID programs annually for 13 years. Over time, students with intellectual disability were able to access more inclusive university courses and were more likely to be employed while they were enrolled in college. Students also increased their use of federal government financial aid and were able to obtain credentials from the colleges and universities they attended. Many students who completed their postsecondary education program at the TPSIDs were employed when they exited their program and continued to be employed 1 and 2 years after completion. Reviewing trends in practices and outcomes helps to illustrate what is working and how higher education for students with intellectual disability is changing and growing over time.