Higher education for students with intellectual disability: expanding research, policy, and practice

This chapter describes the emerging higher education options for students with intellectual disability (ID) in the United States and other countries. Access to higher education has become more available to students with ID in recent years, impacting the knowledge and practices used in secondary and higher education. In the United States, much of the program development activity has been connected to federal legislation and funding. In other countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, and Portugal, these initiatives are less driven by national agendas or funding but are implemented in a more localized manner by specific universities or communities. Background information on the development of these initiatives and the focal issues for program development, research, and policy for the past decade will be provided across these diverse contexts. The chapter concludes by highlighting next generation issues, such as faculty training and personnel preparation, credential development, and program accreditation.