Reimagining Postsecondary Inclusion: Emergency Preparedness Planning for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Higher Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Systemic Access, Lived Experiences: Pursuing Authentic Inclusion in Postsecondary Education

Abstract

While inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs have expanded access to higher education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), a critical dimension of full inclusion remains overlooked: emergency preparedness. Students with IDD face unique risks during campus emergencies due to inaccessible drills, unclear communication systems, and limited individualized planning. This study investigates how emergency preparedness is currently addressed in literature and practice, identifies critical gaps, and presents a pathway toward inclusive, skills-based emergency planning for students with IDD participating in college programs. We aim to position emergency preparedness not only as a safety protocol but as a fundamental civil right and a cornerstone of inclusive education.

Authors

• Allie J. Boquet, Louisiana State University

• Paul Mooney, Louisiana State University