Developing Immersive Postsecondary Education Summer Experiences for Youth With Disabilities

Abstract

When compared to their peers, students with disabilities may experience more significant barriers in their pursuit of engagement in postsecondary education opportunities. This manuscript describes summer transition programs to support positive postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities. These residential programs are offered on-campus at colleges and universities and are developed and delivered as a collaboration with vocational rehabilitation and faculty from institutions of higher education. The programs are supported using funds from the preemployment transition services included in the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The purpose of the manuscript is to provide guidance to those interested in developing similar on-campus summer transition programs. After presenting background information, specific program components that may be considered by developers are identified and described. On-campus summer transition programs can be customized to meet the needs of students, faculty, Vocational Rehabilitation personnel, while meeting the requirements of the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.