Community Conversations on Inclusive Higher Education for Students With Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Amid rapid growth in the higher education movement, access to inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disability (ID) remains limited. This study used “community conversations” to explore how stakeholders in three communities envisioned the inclusion of students with ID on their local college campus and the supports needed to launch new postsecondary programs. Conceptualizations of inclusion extended beyond the experiences students might have and addressed skill development, training and supports, campus and community attitudes, and potential partnerships. Stakeholders identified a constellation of people and resources needed to support successful college experiences. We offer recommendations aimed at spurring inclusive higher education experiences and highlight community conversations as a promising approach for informing the initial movements of local planning teams.