1. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Postsecondary Education for People with Intellectual Disabilities TASH Webinar Session 3 September 29, 2010

2. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Transition to College for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

3. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 What did college give you? New and expanded skills Better employment options Social Network Time to explore Invent or reinvent your identity

4. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Student Challenges Youth with ID are not adequately prepared, academically or socially, to transition to college. Most do not have the fundamental readiness skills (i.e., reading, math and computer skills) and social skills (i.e., work expectation and etiquette). TransCen, Inc. 2006

5. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 System Challenges Agencies do not connect youth with ID and families with colleges. Very few agencies indicated that they had articulation agreements with postsecondary institutions to provide disability-related services or supports. -TransCen, Inc. 2006

6. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 The Big Challenges Expectations Funding Access and Documentation Supports

7. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Low Expectations 11% of students with ID have goal of attending a 2 or 4 year college 58% of students with any types of disabilities Students with ID more likely to have sheltered employment as a goal Less likely to have competitive employment goals

8. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Funding Options Vocational Rehabilitation –Order of Selection –Priority of services Medicaid Waiver –Every state is different –Creative matching of services with funding –No tuition Tuition Waivers-SSI recipients –Some community college, not all Financial Aid – HEA –Financial need (Pell, SEOG, Workstudy) –Need to be approved as a CTP

9. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Documentation IEP is not usually accepted Current psych eval (not less than 3 years old) Parents have to pay for outside evaluations Parents and students are unprepared

10. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) FERPA gives parents rights to children's education records. rights transfer to the student 18 At the postsecondary level, parents have no inherent rights to access or inspect their son or daughter's education records.

11. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Things school systems can do for families Discuss needed evaluations Provide lists of sliding scale educational testing service Discuss ramifications of FERPA Discuss the difference between IDEA and Rehab Act Amendments and ADA regarding equal access and supports. Help families and students start early

12. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Things you can do for students Include accommodations as IEP goal Discuss the need for current evaluation annually Identify the appropriate and available college supports Support use of college accommodations in HS

13. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Stages of parental panic High (my kid is leaving HS this year) Medium (My kid is leaving HS next year ) Low (my kid just got into HS)

14. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Typical Transition Stuff IEP Meetings Transition Fairs Checklists Parent Teacher Conferences

15. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Parents’ Needs Help understanding what’s out there More full day options Support for (work, transportation, adult learning, social events) Advice on managing benefits A NAP!!

16. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Students’ Needs A chance to understand their options Experiences in different settings People who believe that PSE is possible Encouragement to be motivated to LEARN!!

17. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Priorities What would I like to see in one year? Home Transportation College Social Life Work What would I like to see in five years? Home Transportation College Social Life Work

18. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 The Balance Getting what you want for your kid VS What’s out there

19. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 What’s out there What is available in your community? What isn’t available in your community? How far are you willing to go to get it?

20. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 The Overlap of What’s Possible What I want my child to do What my child wants to do What is available? Options, Time, Money What is available? Options, Time, Money

21. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010  Dual enrollment (18-21)  College initiated  Adult agency initiated  Student & family initiated

22. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Ideally… Students with ID access college in typical ways, (orientation, financial aid, disability services, participation in integrated college courses, etc). Students gain and maintain paid employment in their community. Services are provided in collaboration with state/local agencies.

23. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 What is the experience of a high school student with ID? Little input on the classes they take Little input on the jobs they get Lots of pressure to have a plan Low expectations that they will succeed No expectations that they will go to college

24. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 What did you get out of college? The RIGHT ANSWERS A degree A career To value the importance of learning

25. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 The REAL ANSWERS How the system works How to work the system And how to: A) date B) write a paper at 3am C) sneak beer into a dorm D) all of the above

26. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Other College Outcomes How to handle failure What works, what doesn’t work What you need to be successful How to access desired knowledge How to balance your life & schedule What might be the next step

27. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Kinds of Learning in College Process-how to access learning as an adult Experience-what does it feel like to learn with other adults outside of high school Content-I am interested in art history, computers, theater and want to know more

28. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Bella 20 year old student in a dual enrollment program Wants to go to a community college Can’t pass the placement tests Audits the introductory math course Twice….then Takes it for credit Takes and passes the placement test

29. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Robert Works in a grocery store bagging and collecting shopping carts Wants a job in the bakery but has no experience Takes two cake decorating classes through his local park and recreation department Puts the class on his resume and applies for Bakery job when an opening occurs.

30. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 So what can parents do? Begin the conversation Review current plans (what’s working- what’s not?) Priorities change Focus on the Big Picture, it may take awhile.

31. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Lets step into the shoes of the students we are talking about…..

32. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 What did you struggle with most in college? Did you talk about it with a lot of people? Did you talk about it with a lot of people? Did you have to fill out forms documenting it? Did you have to fill out forms documenting it? Were there checklist/surveys/books/DVD/podcasts telling what to do about it? Were there checklist/surveys/books/DVD/podcasts telling what to do about it?

33. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 College Expectations Students are responsible for identifying own disability Students make all coursework selections Students must identify and advocate for support needs Assistance is by request only Student is primary decision maker

34. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 What do we expect of students with disabilities? Disability knowledge Disability knowledge Accommodations Accommodations Articulating needs (elementary, middle or HS) Articulating needs (elementary, middle or HS)

35. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 We expect a LOT from young people Remember, everyone struggles to a certain extent in college. Not all challenges are related to a disability.

36. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Disability Understand your disability Get comfortable describing it know how to explain it to others/and advocate if needed

37. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 A faculty perspective “I think that it is primarily a students’ issue. We would love to help. We are willing to cooperate.... To me it makes a big difference when they come to you at the beginning of the quarter and they are registered with ODS. In general, students need to be able to approach you. They also need to be an advocate for themselves” “I think that it is primarily a students’ issue. We would love to help. We are willing to cooperate.... To me it makes a big difference when they come to you at the beginning of the quarter and they are registered with ODS. In general, students need to be able to approach you. They also need to be an advocate for themselves”

38. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Students with disabilities who approach faculty early in the year to request accommodations have more positive learning experiences.Students with disabilities who approach faculty early in the year to request accommodations have more positive learning experiences. (Izzo Hertzfeld, & Aaron, 2001 ). (Izzo Hertzfeld, & Aaron, 2001 ).

39. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 How shall I put this? “I have hard time with verbal remembering steps.” “I have a language disability and trouble finding the right words. I didn't want everyone to know that I had a disability” “I have Asperger's- high functioning autism-but it takes me longer to do things. I don’t like change- rigidity- that's me. I can be a little antisocial.” “I have an emotional disability- I get supremely nervous/ anxious. I can completely shut down going to a new place”

40. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Information is Power Know what worked in HS Know what didn’t work in HS Know what’s available in college Know the relationship between disability documentation and accommodations.

41. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Knowing it and saying it are two different things How do you practice something that no one expects you to do? Include articulation of disability and accommodations on IEP as early as possible.

42. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 The PERC Self Advocacy Checklist www.transitiontocollege.net Student directed Education/employment/social Modifiable Always use students own words

43. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 How do you ask for help? “There is always a hesitation- sometimes I let opportunities slip by. "I don't want to bother anyone” “I like to have people check to make sure I have done an assignment right” “When I feel like I am struggling I’ll raise my hand or go after class, you can't be afraid to ask”

44. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Things you can do Encourage understanding disability Identify needed supports or accommodations Explain why support is needed Rehearse how to ask for help Help students locate resources

45. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Time Management/ Study Skills Explore study skills classes/summer programs Explore study skills classes/summer programs Get a copy of the syllabus Get a copy of the syllabus Schedule time to study and to take breaks Schedule time to study and to take breaks Program everything into your phone with set reminders Program everything into your phone with set reminders

46. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 I sprained my ankle and I missed a few classes. It was my responsibility to make up the work so I didn’t go on academic probation- Martha, college student

47. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Understand your goals Be clear about what you are trying to achieve and why Be clear about what you are trying to achieve and why Communicate your goals with advisors, professors Communicate your goals with advisors, professors Be realistic about what you can handle Be realistic about what you can handle Don’t compare yourself to others Don’t compare yourself to others

48. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Staying Motivated Set small, achievable goals. Set small, achievable goals. Take some classes that are just for you. Take some classes that are just for you. Don’t let others distract you from accomplishing your task. Don’t let others distract you from accomplishing your task. Find friends who are in your class to keep you motivated. Find friends who are in your class to keep you motivated.

49. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 The Payoff… “I am doing well- I have gotten a paying job in a child care and I have had to speak up for myself and ask questions “I am more of a leader/ I am not as scared as I was asking for help ”. “I am better describing my disability than before. I know where to go to when I need help ”.

50. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 The Ultimate College Outcomes Being a consumer of your education instead of a passive recipient Viewing the acquisition of knowledge as a desirable experience Connecting learning to real outcomes

51. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 The Promise of Postsecondary Education Students with ID will be expected to consider postsecondary education PSE can change not only employment outcomes, but self image and social value. Lifelong learning requires two things: –The expectation that it should happen –The instruction needed to access it

52. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Helpful Links http://www.going-to-college.org/ http://www.thinkcollege.net http://webhost.bridgew.edu/jhayesboh/NOT13th/not13th.htm#note http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/survival.ht ml http://oedb.org/library/college-basics/88-surefire-tips http://www.metamath.com/multiple/multiple_choice_questions.htm l

53. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Questions? Meg Grigal megrigal@verizon.net

54. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Upcoming Webinars 10/6: Creating Inclusive College Options: Strategies and Promising Practices 10/13: Strategies to Support Employment in PSE Programs

55. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 For more information:

56. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010 Join us! www.facebook.com/thinkcollege @thinkcollegeICI

57. www.thinkcollege.net © Think College 2010