Introducing Think College
This website introduces inclusive postsecondary education (PSE) for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Illinois. You will find this website helpful if you are a representative from a postsecondary education institution and/or a student, self-advocate, parent, administrator, service provider, or policy-maker.
Think College is a national initiative to create inclusive PSE opportunities for students with I/DD. It began in 1998 at the
University of Massachusetts Boston's (UMASS) Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)
and has received numerous federal grants to conduct activities in three areas around inclusive PSE: 1) research; 2) training; and 3) technical assistance.
For a list of inclusive programs in Illinois, refer to the "Illinois Program Profiles" of this website. For additional programs, refer to the national Think College program database.
Announcements

Think College Webinars 2015
Using Technology to Support College Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 3-4 pm Eastern
Presented by: Lori Cooney, Think College and Phyllis Brodsky, University of Arizona
Two well-respected technology experts will share the benefits of using emerging technologies and educational trends in secondary and postsecondary education by providing a plethora of examples of Web 2.0 tools and specific apps on mobile devices to enhance learning in TPSID programs. Success stories about student and programmatic use of these technologies will also be highlighted.
Cost: $45.00
Participatory Action Research
Monday, February 23, 2015, 3-4 pm Eastern
Presented by: Maria Paiewonsky, Think College
This session will describe how college students with intellectual disabilities are conducting research into their experiences in college using Participatory Action Research strategies. Examples of research studies that have been conducted will be discussed, and a free downloadable guide to supporting participatory action research on college campuses will be shared.
Cost: $45.00
Inclusive Campus Communities
Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 3-4 pm Eastern
Presented by: Melissa Jones, Northern Kentucky University and Molly Boyle, Think College
Several people working in postsecondary education programs for students with ID have been engaged in an ongoing discussion related to the creation of truly inclusive campus communities. In this webinar, they will share promising practices that support inclusion.
Cost: $45.00
Vocational Rehabilitation Supports for College Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Thursday, May 21, 2015, 3-4 pm Eastern
Presented by: Maria Dragoumanos, Think College
Several Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with ID (TPSID) projects have developed innovative agreements with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in their respective states. This webinar will share the details of those agreements and give examples of how VR is supporting postsecondary education for students with ID.
Cost: $45.00
Previous Announcements
A high school student with Down syndrome just achieved one of his lifelong dreams -- getting accepted to college. It was a moment Noah Van Vooren's parents thought would never happen. And it was all caught on camera and posted as a YouTube video! This video captures Noah's reaction as he read the letter, "It says Dear Noah, yes, you made it. I got accepted!" Noah shouted with his arms stretched in the air. The acceptance letter means Noah will start classes at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisc. this fall. It's part of the school's Cutting Edge program, which offers a college education to students with developmental disabilities.

I've learned some things about myself at college like learning how to be organized. I also learned that to get a successful job you need an education. I've learned more about myself too. I've learned how to be more aware. I learned more about who I am as a person. I've learned how to be an independent and responsible person and I'm also learning to be more focused."-Grace
Using Technology to Support College Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Two well-respected technology experts will share the benefits of using emerging technologies and educational trends in secondary and postsecondary education by providing a plethora of examples of Web 2.0 tools and specific apps on mobile devices to enhance learning in TPSID programs. Success stories about student and programmatic use of these technologies will also be highlighted.
Cost: $45.00
Participatory Action Research
This session will describe how college students with intellectual disabilities are conducting research into their experiences in college using Participatory Action Research strategies. Examples of research studies that have been conducted will be discussed, and a free downloadable guide to supporting participatory action research on college campuses will be shared.
Cost: $45.00
Inclusive Campus Communities
Several people working in postsecondary education programs for students with ID have been engaged in an ongoing discussion related to the creation of truly inclusive campus communities. In this webinar, they will share promising practices that support inclusion.
Cost: $45.00
Vocational Rehabilitation Supports for College Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Several Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with ID (TPSID) projects have developed innovative agreements with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in their respective states. This webinar will share the details of those agreements and give examples of how VR is supporting postsecondary education for students with ID.
Cost: $45.00
Previous Announcements
A high school student with Down syndrome just achieved one of his lifelong dreams -- getting accepted to college. It was a moment Noah Van Vooren's parents thought would never happen. And it was all caught on camera and posted as a YouTube video! This video captures Noah's reaction as he read the letter, "It says Dear Noah, yes, you made it. I got accepted!" Noah shouted with his arms stretched in the air. The acceptance letter means Noah will start classes at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisc. this fall. It's part of the school's Cutting Edge program, which offers a college education to students with developmental disabilities.

I've learned some things about myself at college like learning how to be organized. I also learned that to get a successful job you need an education. I've learned more about myself too. I've learned how to be more aware. I learned more about who I am as a person. I've learned how to be an independent and responsible person and I'm also learning to be more focused."-Grace