The passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act in 2008 triggered an increase in inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs across the United States, giving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to enroll in typical college courses. A multiple case study of IPSE programs at five institutions of higher…

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who attend inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs gain many new and beneficial skills, including independent living, social, and employability skills. Another skill set that may be strengthened by attending an IPSE program is self-determination. There is limited research…

College students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are transitioning to more autonomous college settings in recent years. Intimacy education has been identified as a potential need; yet, there are factors that could facilitate or inhibit access to education, experiences, and support efforts in this area. The Continuum of…

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (SWIDD) often require academic, employment, and social support to be successful in inclusive postsecondary education programs. One way to provide support in these areas is via peer mentorship. In addition to SWIDD obtaining the support they need; peer mentors also benefit from the…

This multi-manuscript dissertation comprises two interconnected articles that collectively explore the experiences of college students with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) engaging in wellness interventions within inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) settings in the southeastern region of the United States. Wellness…

Belonging is an essential human need, regardless of whether or not one has a disability, and has been found to positively impact one's physical and mental health. Feelings of belonging for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have largely been unexplored in research. Using the 10 Dimensions of Belonging…

Transportation is a necessity in adult life. Qualitative literature regarding the usability of transportation to travel freely within the community (e.g., school, work, leisure activities) is widely circulated; however, information regarding transportation needs and barriers specifically faced by individuals with an intellectual and developmental…

There is a growing number of inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs and scholarship in higher education. Providing a spectrum of educational opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in higher education plays a pivotal role in creating inclusive and meaningful access to postsecondary education.…

We examined differences in the social networks, social supports, and college-related anxiety and distress between 42 college students in a traditional degree-seeking (TDS) program and an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program at the same campus. Our findings revealed that IPSE students had smaller, denser social networks predominantly…

A qualitative case study approach was employed to explore the perspectives of stakeholders affiliated with an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program for students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in the pacific northwestern United States. Utilizing Artiles' (2009) cultural-historical paradigm, three research…

With growing opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disability to access a variety of inclusive higher education programs comes an increased need for program implementers to evaluate practices and outcomes alongside participants. This mixed-method, exploratory study examines self-determined goal setting, goal attainment, and…

This research study explored the concept of inclusion at the postsecondary education program (PSE) setting through the perspectives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through a qualitative inquiry. Specifically, this study focused on defining inclusive experiences and making recommendations for increased…

Background: The benefits of friendships among peers with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities are well supported by research. However, little is known about the nature of these inclusive friendships in inclusive college courses. Method: We explored the perspectives of peers on the development of authentic friendships among peers…

Dancers embody movement with an individualized approach, informed by their own unique physicality, creativity, and lived experience. In this paper, the author describes an integrative dance course in higher education that invites adult community members with developmental and intellectual disabilities to dance alongside college students twice per…

Several barriers exist that inhibit the success of students with disabilities in postsecondary education environments, one of which is the lack of self-advocacy skills to effectively request academic modifications and ask for other supports when needed. In this study, we used a single-subject multiple-probe across participants design to examine…