Project Description:
Limited knowledge of exemplary post-secondary programs and a lack of concrete opportunities for collaborative practice, work against the emergence of a cohesive effort to address the systemic issue of employment for people with intellectual disabilities. Staff
from Kansas University?s Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD)
and the Center for Research on Learning, in collaboration with other key partnering agencies will implement a ?Think College Kansas Initiative? by hosting an initial stakeholder meeting, conducting on-going Workgroup sessions, disseminating information to all relevant audiences across the state, facilitating the development of a state strategic action plan, and sponsoring a statewide promotional event. Engagement of self-advocates, including those who have an interest and/or experience with postsecondary education, is a priority for all activities. The entire process will begin with an initial stakeholder meeting where successful evidence-based practices will be shared, a state vision defined, and participants will brainstorm critical state-specific issues and solutions. Results from this meeting will guide the workgroup agenda for the following nine months of activities. The Workgroup will meet bimonthly to articulate identified barriers, address policy and implementation issues, map community and state resources, define opportunities for interagency collaboration, and explore funding streams that can be blended to
support the development of inclusive post-secondary experiences for students with I/DD.
Conclusions and recommendations from the workgroup will be shared at a culminating Think College Kansas promotional event where an expanded audience of stakeholders will provide input and feedback assuring the validity of the proposed plan and functioning as a kick off of continued events following completion of the proposed project. The result of this final collaborative event will be the development of a sustainable state action plan for implementing post-secondary experiences for students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities that maximizes resources and removes existing barriers to PSE, and increases PSE opportunities leading to paid employment for Kansans with I/DD.
Keyword(s):
College, Intellectual Disability, Post-Secondary Education
Core Function(s):
Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Legislators/Policy Makers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Renewal Community, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
