The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) has funded a collaborative team from the University of South Florida College of Education and Think College at the University of Massachusetts Boston to use findings from FDDC-funded research (2018-2019) to develop online training materials that address barriers to inclusive higher education program development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Module 1 addresses practices in K-12 that will better prepare secondary students and parents for inclusive higher education. Module 2 identifies the supports that are available for students and parents in inclusive higher education. Numerous resources have been included throughout each module.
College Matters Florida would like to acknowledge the collaborative partnership with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities for hosting these on-line modules on their website.
Students and parents need to learn about and prepare for inclusive higher education opportunities early and often. Such preparation increases the likelihood that students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) achieve success in their college and career endeavors. This process includes building academic skills in the general curriculum, developing executive functioning skills, and learning to use foundational and self-determination skills in natural settings.
To succeed in college, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may need support to access the full array of resources available to all students, as well as some supports that are customized for their specific needs (e.g., mentoring, coaching, specific accommodations and/or modifications). An array of these supports will be described in this module.