College career connection: A study of youth with intellectual disabilities and the impact of postsecondary education

Participation in postsecondary education is a known predictor of a successful employment outcome for youth without disabilities. There is research documenting that this is true for youth with disabilities as well. Most literature on postsecondary education for youth with disabilities focuses on individuals with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and physical or sensory disorders. There is limited research that addresses youth with intellectual disabilities regarding successful outcomes of participation in postsecondary education. This paper presents findings from a matched cohort follow-up study conducted with 40 youth with significant disabilities who did and did not participate in postsecondary education. Recommendations for future research and practice are provided.