Breadcrumb Trail
Session C: Opening Doors: Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
- Date and Time
- Tuesday, April 22, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Presenters
-
- Janet Gora (Executive Director; Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati)
- Steve Sunderland (Professor of Peace & Educational Studies; Director of Peace Village; College of Education, Criminal Justice & Human Services, University of Cincinnati)
- Joe Link (Clinical Faculty; Department of Secondary & Special Education; Xavier University)
- Missy Jones (Associate Professor; College of Education & Human Services; Northern Kentucky University)
- Jennifer Radt (Director, Disability Services; University of Cincinnati/Clermont College)
- Mac Mattheis (Undergraduate Student, Northern Kentucky University)
- Jorden White (Undergraduate Student, College of Education & Human Services, Northern Kentucky University)
- Katie McKinley (Undergraduate Student, College of Education & Human Services, Northern Kentucky University)
- Description
College campuses often reflect the communities of which they are a part, becoming increasingly more diverse and even more global as our contemporary world becomes smaller and more accessible across races, cultures and economic status. Yet, on most college campuses, just as in our society, there remains a population of individuals systematically denied access to the power and privileges afforded to others, including opportunities for higher education. Individuals who experience cognitive delays, who need support to learn, live, grow, and to be productive members of our communities, are often left out of the conversation around equality and accessibility for learning at the post-secondary level. Yet, research supports the need for greater access to college-level learning to improve the adult living outcomes of individuals with disabilities.
This conference presentation will focus on a collaborative effort across agencies and resources to change this reality of exclusion for young adults with disabilities in the Cincinnati / northern Kentucky region. Through the support of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, area colleges and universities are exploring ways to meaningfully include students with cognitive disabilities in campus life. The initial questions posed by this group, as well as the process in which group members engaged to begin and continue the conversation around inclusive practices will be shared, offering insight to others interested in this topic.
In addition, descriptions will be provided about the various programs being created to enhance the lives of individuals with cognitive disabilities on area campuses, including the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Clermont College, and Northern Kentucky University.