College Bound Students with Intellectual Disabilities

March 1, 2010 in Special Education | No comments

Many people are surprised when they hear that individuals with intellectual disabilities can attend college. Yes, college is possible for students with intellectual disabilities. In 2006, the New York Times ran a story about Katie Apostolides, a young lady with Down’s Syndrome who was attending a liberal arts school in Massachusetts. In 2009, Katie had graduated with an Associates Degree from a college in Pennsylvania. Katie’s story is remarkable, and she is part of a larger group of individuals with intellectual disabilities who have benefited from the college experience. According to UCLA Professor Olivia Raynor (see video below), there are over 10,000 students with intellectual disabilities attending college across the country.

Along with other special education attorneys who blog, I have previously discussed the importance of IEP transition planning (“The Day After Graduation“). I have written that it is never too early to think about what happens to your child the day after graduation. By the time 9th, 10th, or 11th grade rolls around, some students with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, will start thinking seriously about going to college.

It is important individuals with intellectual disabilities who plan to go to college have a basic understanding of disability rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitiation Act of 1973.

In addition, it is important to have some familiarity with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). Many parents and students with disabilities have not heard of this law. At the time of this writing, even Wikipedia did not have an entry for HEOA (though it does have an entry for the Higher Education Act of 1965). This is not surprising since the HEOA is a fairly recent statute that President George W. Bush signed into law on August 14, 2008.

The HEOA is a law that covers a variety of areas related to higher education. For example, the law increases student aid. It also requires that higher education institutions comply with certain requirements and issue regular reports, such as drug and alcohol related violations on campus.

Parents of college students or college-bound students with intellectual disabilities should be familiar with HEOA because the law imposes requirements that colleges and universities develop effective transition programs and ensure that students with intellectual disabilities obtain appropriate transition services.

Under the HEOA, a “student with an intellectual disability” is one who has a developmental disability or cognitive impairment. Interestingly enough, the HEOA points out that a student who has an intellectual disability and was eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act meets the definition of a “student with an intellectual disability.”

Key aspects of the statute is that it allows students with intellectual disabilities to:

Qualify for Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal Work Study under certain circumstances (section 485);
Receive support from the Talent Search and Upward Bound programs (section 403);
Receive supports to prepare for undergraduate programs (section 404);
Obtain common financial aid forms in an accessible format of the student’s choice (section 483);

Perhaps the most significant part of the HEOA is Title VII (section 701 et seq.), which provides students with intellectual disabilities a comprehensive transition program in a degree, certificate, or non-degree program.

Accordingly, under the HEOA, federal funds may be used for supports, services, as well as programs to promote inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in academic and extracurricular programs. Funds may also be used to increase or promote socialization, independent living skills, and integrated work experiences for students with intellectual disabilities.

The fact that colleges and universities may use federal funds to assist students with intellectual disabilities to acquire independent living skills or to promote inclusion is significant. Although the HEOA is not identical to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, it is as if the spirit of the IDEA is being stretched out to the university campus.

Parents of children with intellectual disabilities who want to go to college should explore what HEOA may have to offer. As part of the college or university selection process, it is a good idea to speak with someone in disability services about services and supports that may be available under the HEOA, as well as under Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitiation Act of 1973.

For more information about choosing the right college for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Think College! is a fantastic starting point.

Below is an hour-long video of UCLA Professor Olivia Raynor’s outstanding presentation of the benefits and challenges of college life for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The video is captioned; first click play, then click on the “CC” button on the lower right hand corner of the video screen to activate the captioning.