Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Educational programs at colleges and universities designed to include students with intellectual disabilities in campus life, academics, and career preparation. Unlike traditional special education that ends with high school, these programs extend learning opportunities into young adulthood. As of 2015, only about 240 such programs existed in the US and Canada, compared to over 3,000 institutions serving the general population. Programs vary widely: some offer full inclusion in regular courses, others provide separate certificate tracks, and many focus on employment skills and independent living. Research shows that students with ID who attend postsecondary education have significantly higher employment rates (58%) compared to those who do not (32%).