Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs of Study for Students with Intellectual Disability

Researchers explored 11 of Florida's inclusive postsecondary education programs (IPSE) for individuals with intellectual disability (ID), during the 2016 and 2017 academic years. The researchers sought to explore, through ethnographic inquiry, the nature of academic access as well as the programs of study available to students with ID within Florida's IPSE programs. Researchers found the majority (73%; n=8) of IPSE programs in this study (n=11) housed at three universities, three community and state colleges, and two career technical colleges. These eight institutions provided inclusive programs of study where students were enrolled in two or more academically inclusive courses each semester. Three programs of study types emerged from the qualitative data: Liberal Arts, Career Technical, and Transitional. Each program of study type is described as well as the IPSE programs encompassed within each. Beyond student presence in college courses, data elements examined in this study include course progressions, availability of choice of study, service learning, co-curricular requirements and the diversity in and similarities between the three programs of study types. Researchers point to the need for further exploration of the diversity of IPSE programs, the need to operationalize and examine specific elements within IPSE programs, and the impact of credentials offered upon program of study.