Debra Hart

Expanding the Paradigm: Postsecondary Education Options for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities

This article will provide an overview of postsecondary education (PSE) options for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other Intellectual Disabilities (ID). Topics include a historical and philosophical discussion outlining how students with ASD and ID can benefit from postsecondary opportunities, a description of current PSE options, and models of implementation. In conclusion, implications and recommendations for future research, training and technical assistance are provided.

Comparing the Transition Planning, Postsecondary Education, and Employment Outcomes of Students With Intellectual and Other Disabilities

This article describes a secondary analysis of variables from the National Longitudinal Transition Survey 2 (NLTS-2) database. Specifically, students with intellectual disability (ID) were compared to students with other disabilities regarding post-school transition goals listed on their IEPs/Transition Plans, contacts/referrals made to outside agencies during transition planning, participation of other agencies/organizations in transition planning (e.g., vocational rehabilitation and higher education representatives), and students’ postsecondary education and employment outcomes. Students with ID were less likely to have postsecondary education or competitive employment goals and outcomes and more likely to have sheltered and supported employment goals and outcomes compared to students with other disabilities. Contacts with and participation of external professionals in IEP/Transition Plan meetings also differed between the two groups of students.

Postsecondary Education for People With Intellectual Disability: Current Issues and Critical Challenges

Abstract Increasingly, people with intellectual disability are seeking, accessing, and benefiting from higher education. This article presents an overview of current legislative and policy issues a...

A state comparison of vocational rehabilitation support of youth with intellectual disabilities' participation in postsecondary education

In this study a secondary data analysis was conducted using the Rehabilitation Services Administrations 911 dataset. The findings provide an update on the role of Vocational Rehabilitation in promoting participation in postsecondary education for individuals with intellectual disabilities, by providing data that focuses on youth with intellectual disabilities in comparison with youth with other disabilities, and by highlighting differences across states nationwide (i.e., postsecondary education status upon exiting the VR system). Overall, this study showed that state VR programs play an important role in assisting youth with intellectual disabilities to participate in postsecondary education, although to a lesser extent than youth with other disabilities. Findings indicated that youth with intellectual disabilities were substantially less likely to participate in postsecondary education while in the VR system compared to youth with other disabilities, their participation varied substantially across states, and participation remained static, nationally, between 2006-2010, despite positive trends in several state VR programs.