Answering the Public Call for Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Division J Poster Session: College Student Access

Abstract

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) are coming to college in greater numbers than ever before. In 2008, the Higher Education Opportunity Act introduced students with ID/DD as a distinct college student population. With 271 programs on college campuses today, this niche higher education field is moving towards professionalization. This naturalistic qualitative study examined the personal, professional, and education experiences of ten administrators of inclusive PSE programs to learn how these experiences influence their facilitation of inclusive PSE. Findings indicated that their experiences do influence their work, and, in its nascent stage, practitioner collaboration can provide a comprehensive knowledge base to inform training and professional development in the field.

Author

• Tamara Harper Shetron, Austin Community College