Expanding Access: Exploring College Options for Students with Intellectual Disability

Authors: Mindy Lingo, Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, Think College

For many students with intellectual disability, going to college is no longer just a dream—it’s becoming a real and exciting part of their future. This progress is driven in part by the work of Think College, a national coordinating center focused on expanding inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) opportunities. By raising expectations and increasing access, Think College is changing what’s possible after high school.

What is IPSE?

Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) is the concept and support system that ensures students with intellectual disability have meaningful access to higher education. It means creating opportunities for students to be part of college life—attending classes, joining campus activities, and making friends—while also getting the support they need for success.

IPSE programs are built around person-centered planning and typically include academic enrichment, employment exploration and experiences, independent living instruction, and opportunities for social inclusion. These programs prepare students for life beyond college by focusing on self-advocacy, life skills, and competitive, integrated employment. IPSE isn’t just about attending college—it’s about independence and long-term success. Hear from the students and professionals about IPSE: Watch the video.

Supporting Students with Intellectual Disability and Visual Impairments

While IPSE programs are designed with flexibility and support at their core, many students with co-occurring disabilities, such as visual impairments, may need additional accommodations in college. Fortunately, most colleges and universities have Disability Services offices that work alongside IPSE program staff to ensure each student’s access needs are met.

This means students with both intellectual disability and visual impairments can benefit from a combined support system, one that includes:

• IPSE program supports, such as peer mentoring, job coaching, and skill-building instruction, and
• Campus disability services, such as assistive technology, accessible materials (e.g., large print, Braille, or digital formats), classroom accommodations, and mobility orientation.

The collaborative approach allows each student to receive individualized support, enabling full participation in academics, campus life, and community engagement.

Georgia Tech Excel program campus

What Is Think College?

Think College is a national center focused on expanding college options for students with intellectual disability. Based at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, the organization provides training, technical assistance, and research to support inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) across the country.

They work with a wide range of people—students, families, transition specialists, program staff, and vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals—to increase access to higher education. Think College also maintains the only national directory of college programs for students with intellectual disability and leads efforts to improve policies and practices that support student success.

How to Find the Right Program

Choosing a college is a big decision for any student—and it can be even more overwhelming for students with intellectual disability and their families. Think College helps simplify the process through its College Search Tool, a user-friendly directory that allows users to filter and compare programs based on what matters most to them.

Students and families can search by:

• Location (state or region)
• Housing options (on-campus, off-campus, commuter)
• Program length and credentials
• Support services offered
• Whether the program is a federally approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program (which may allow access to federal financial aid)

New to the process? Download the “Conducting a College Search” guide, which walks students and families through the steps to explore, plan, and prepare.

Program Maps of College options for students with intellectual disability

Students with Intellectual Disability and Visual Impairments

For students with intellectual disability and visual impairment, it’s important to ask each program how they coordinate with the campus Disability Services Office to provide accessible materials, orientation and mobility support, assistive technology (like screen readers or Braille displays), and other accommodations.

Here are a few steps to help get started:

• Use the contact information listed in each College Search Tool program profile to reach out directly.
• Ask to speak with both the IPSE program coordinator and a representative from the Disability Services Office.
• Consider asking questions like:
  • “What accommodations or services are available for students with visual impairments?”
  • “Have you supported students with both intellectual disability and VI before?”
  • “How do the IPSE program and Disability Services work together to coordinate supports?”
  • “Can we schedule a virtual or in-person visit to see what accessibility looks like on campus?”

Building this connection early helps ensure the students’ needs will be met and that they feel comfortable with the supports available.

Reading in the campus library

Resources for Families

Families play a vital role in helping students explore whether college is the right path, and, if so, which program might be the best fit. Yet even the most engaged families often ask, “Where do we start?” The Think College Family Resource Page is designed to answer that question, offering tools to help families and students explore options and make informed decisions together, including:

• Gaining an overview of inclusive postsecondary education
• Questions to ask during college visits
• Planning tools for IEP and transition meetings
• Videos and stories from students and parents

Resources are available in English and Spanish to ensure accessibility. Click here to access the Spanish version: Recursos para Familias

Families can also sign up for webinars, newsletters, and join online communities to stay informed and connected.

Student Voices: The Student Corner

The Student Corner is one of the most visited pages on the Think College site, and for good reason. It features real students sharing their college experiences, from academics and dorm life to internships and friendships.

Students can explore:

• Videos and written stories by current and former students
• Tips for speaking up and advocating for their needs
• Examples of what it’s like to live independently or work on campus

It shows students what’s possible—through voices just like theirs.

Grace, a graduate from OU’s Sooner Works, dreams big with her guide dog, Velvet.

Support for Transition Professionals

High school transition coordinators and special educators play a major role in preparing students for life after graduation. Think College provides materials that help these professionals integrate IPSE into IEP planning and transition services.

Top resources include:

• Preparing for College: Checklists, timelines, and talking points
• Transition Resource Pack: Print-friendly tools and handouts
• Self-determination and goal-setting lessons that support student agency and independence

These resources help educators connect students and families with options that match their strengths, goals, and dreams.

Resources for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Professionals

VR professionals can play a vital role in helping students with intellectual disability and visual impairments access college and prepare for work. Many are unaware, however, that IPSE programs may align directly with a student’s employment goals and may help them qualify for VR support.

Think College offers:

• VR Topic Page
• Top 10 Questions VR Staff Ask
• Training and briefs on how inclusive programs lead to employment outcomes

VR funding may cover tuition, job coaching, assistive technology, and more, especially when layered with college disability services and IPSE supports for students with multiple disabilities.

Why This Matters

Inclusive postsecondary education changes lives. Research, cited in the references below, show that students who participate in IPSE programs:

• Are more likely to be employed 
• Earn higher wages
• Live more independently
• Report stronger self-confidence and life satisfaction

Higher Employment Rates

Want to Share Information About IPSE?

Learn more about IPSE in the Resources Guide for Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disability.

Check out the Think Higher. Think College. campaign, created to raise expectations and encourage students and families to consider college as part of their future planning. 

The campaign includes:

• Posters, brochures, and downloadable materials
• PowerPoint slides and videos for presentations
• Stories and perspectives from real students and graduates

These resources help educators, families, and service providers start meaningful conversations around IPSE.

Ready to take the next step? Explore programs, download resources, and connect with others at ThinkCollege.net.

A student from the Georgia Tech Excel Program

Resources 

Cimera, R. E., Thoma, C. A., Whittenburg, H. N., & Ruhl, A. N. (2018). Is getting a postsecondary education a good investment for supported employees with intellectual disability and taxpayers? Inclusion, 6(2), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-6.2.97

Grigal, M., Hart, D., Papay, C., Bukaty, C., Choiseul-Praslin, B., & Pound, S. (2024). Annual report of the cohort 3 TPSID model demonstration projects  https://thinkcollege.net/resource/program-evaluation-student-outcomes/annual-report-of-the-cohort-3-tpsid-model-1

Ruby’s rainbow. (2024). https://rubysrainbow.Org/about/financials/

Sannicandro, T., Parish, S., Fournier, S., Mitra, M., & Paiewonsky, M. (2018). Employment income and SSI effects of postsecondary education for people with intellectual disability. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 123(5), 412–497. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-123.5.412

Smith, F., Grigal, M., & Shepard, J. (2018). Impact of postsecondary education on employment outcomes of youth with intellectual disability served by vocational rehabilitation. Think College Fast Facts Issue,(18).  https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/resources/FF18_R.pdf

Think College. (2025). https://thinkcollege.net/ 

Think higher. Think College. (2024). https://thinkhighered.net/