Tools & Resources
Select local and national resources are compiled by MIHEC for students and families, institutions of higher education, and secondary educators. This site will be updated frequently, so stop by often.
Minnesota Resources
Recorded webinars of past Learning Community events can be found on the Events and News page.
MIHEC informational brochure (front and back) PDF suitable for events, conferences, or anywhere students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families might be looking for information on inclusive higher education.
Momentum
Momentum is a quarterly newsletter of MIHEC news, events, and resources.
Grants
Inclusive Higher Education Grants (Source: Minnesota Office of Higher Education)
Standards and Definitions
Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Standards
Defining Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education
National Resources
National Center for College Students with Disabilities. The NCCSD is the only federally-funded national center in the U.S. with information and resources for future and current college students with disabilities, including those in part-time programs and graduate students. The Center works with students, their families, teachers, professors, and anyone with questions about disability and higher education.
Out-of-State Services for VR Recipients. In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) issued guidance affirming that vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies must fund out-of-state services, including postsecondary programs for individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities, when comparable in-state options are unavailable. This guidance emphasizes that VR agencies must prioritize the unique disability and vocational needs of each individual as outlined in their Individualized Plan for Employment. The RSA specifies that while states may prefer in-state services, this preference cannot override the need to provide essential out-of-state services. This directive aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to the best possible training and employment opportunities, even if that means pursuing programs outside their home state.
This resource guide describes how state educational agencies, local educational agencies, and state vocational rehabilitation agencies may coordinate to assist high school students with disabilities, including students with intellectual disabilities, who will soon transition out of high school and may qualify for rehabilitation services as an adult. The U.S. federal and state governments aim to increase postsecondary education opportunities for people with disabilities, including students and youth with intellectual disabilities, through comprehensive transition programs and postsecondary education at institutions of higher education.
Think Higher. Think College.: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZtAa9ACRPZk?feature=oembed
Think Higher. Think College. A public awareness campaign video to build awareness and expand access to college for students with intellectual disability. The Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network's goals are to increase knowledge of inclusive college options, share information about the benefits and outcomes of students with intellectual disability attending college, and offer people ways to spread the message: “Think Higher. Think College.”
Opening Doors to College: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q0BFL9DLk-Q
Opening Doors to College shows how students like Fudia, Missy, Curtis, and Janet are leading this inclusion revolution as they immerse themselves in classes, residential life, extracurricular activities, and the entire college experience at Millersville and Temple Universities.
Rethinking College is a 25-minute film produced by Think College that explores the growing movement to include students with intellectual disability in higher education.
Think College is the go-to, first step place for students, families exploring college opportunities. Based out of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Think College is the National Coordinating Center offering support, coordination, training, and evaluation services for Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs as well as other inclusive higher education initiatives for students with intellectual disabilities nationwide.
PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment provides relevant information and resources to parents, youth, and professionals about inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability.
A Resource Guide for Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disability
This guide is designed to introduce you to inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE), or college options for students with intellectual disability (ID). In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about IPSE in an easy-to-read format, with helpful tips, information, and resources from the Think College website. You will learn about what IPSE is, how colleges include students with ID, and how to find and apply to college, as well as pay for it.
For additional resources and information about promoting IPSE options for students with intellectual disability, please visit the "Think Higher. Think College." Public Awareness campaign website .
This resource is available in English and Spanish. Click here for the Spanish language listing for this resource.
APA Citation:
Stinnett, C. V., Lazo, R., & Pound, S. (2023). “Think Higher. Think College.” A Resource Guide for Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disability. Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston.