Increasing opportunities for inclusive postsecondary education for people with intellectual disabilities
Welcome to the Think College Wisconsin website! Efforts are unfolding across the country to increase and expand upon postsecondary education options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Wisconsin, the demand for college is growing and pockets of people across the state are discussing how to develop programs in their own communities. This website serves as a tool to inform, connect, and support people involved in these efforts. Explore the site, read the state plan, and register for the listserv. It's time to THINK COLLEGE.
News and Noteworthy
Ruby's Rainbow: Scholarships for Students with Down Syndrome
Individuals age 18 or older with Down syndrome who would like to enroll in higher education can apply for scholarships of $2,500-$4,000 through Ruby's Rainbow.
Guest Blog Post by Meg Grigal and Deb Hart
Inclusive Higher Education: Its Time Has Come -- Check it out.
Upcoming Think College Webinars The next webinar --- What the Future Holds --- will be held on May 20, 2013, from 1-2:30 p.m. (CT). Register for this and view archived webinars.
The Personnel Factor: Exploring the Personal Attributes of Highly Successful Employment Specialists who Work with Transition-Age Youth, a research brief by the Center on Transition to Employment for Youth with Disabilities, reports the findings of a study examining personal qualities of effective employment specialists. Read more.
Being Disabled in America
Check out this Listen and Read Along, YouTube video about the importance and benefits of college for all people.
Featured Student
Emily, a sophomore in southern Wisconsin who loves to dance and is actively involved in her local 4-H chapter, wants to go to college. She’s working towards a drivers’ license, plans to live independently after school, and wants to get married (preferably after finding a job, encourages her mom, Fairy). Read more here.
Watch a video of a previously featured student at her AmeriCorps placement.
Do you want to be a featured student? If so, contact us. We want to share the stories of students with intellectual disabilities who want to go to college and the stories of those who have had the opportunity to experience college.
Getting Started
Join listservs about postsecondary education to receive and share up-to-date information about college opportunities. The national Think College initiative recently began a listserv. Join by emailing join-thinkcollege@lists.umb.edu. To become a member of our state's listserv, email cooney@waisman.wisc.edu.
Students and family members thinking college should be sure to check out our Students & Families section for information on the benefits of college and how to start preparing now for postsecondary education.
Teachers and college instructors who want to learn strategies to prepare and support students in college should check out our Promising Practices section.
Individuals concerned about the costs of college may want to learn about national and community service as a path to college in our AmeriCorps section.
