September 2024 News & Updates | |
Webinar: College to Career: Inclusive Internship Support and Student Success
October 15, 2024, 3-4pm ET
REGISTER
Presenters: Rachel Adams-Duffy, Allison Hall, Sheila Johnson, UMass Boston
Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Think College!
Join us for a webinar about how internships can help students find their career path. Hear from former Think College intern Rachel Adams-Duffy as she shares her journey from student to professional advocate. Then, get insights from the internship site’s perspective on working with students with intellectual disability and how inclusive college programs provide the support needed for successful internships.
*This webinar is designed so students can attend the first 25 minutes to hear Rachel’s story without needing to stay for the full hour.
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Family Webinar: Empowering Students to Make Choices and Get Involved on Campus
December 11, 2024, 3-4pm ET
REGISTER
Presenter: Ashley Luce, UMass Boston
Join us for an insightful webinar on the "dignity of risk" and how this approach empowers college students with intellectual disabilities. As educators, family members, and advocates, it’s important to support students' ability to make their own choices and encourage independence. By allowing them to take manageable risks, we help foster their growth and allow them to fully experience college life.
We’ll also explore the community life engagement approach, which ensures students are included in all aspects of campus life. Learn practical tips on how to promote self-determination, encourage independence, and support active involvement in campus activities. Hear real-life examples of students who thrived by taking reasonable risks, and discover strategies educators and staff use to encourage students' independence in classes and social life.
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Our New Think College Policy Advocates!
We’re pleased to introduce the fourth cohort of Think College Policy Advocates trainees. These nine teams will participate in online and in-person training on disability policy and advocacy, culminating in Capitol Hill visits to apply their new skills.
This year’s participants:
- Joseph Louisell & Kate Strater, Calvin University
- Juliet Loria & Jacklyn Masiello, Coastal Carolina University
- Cobey Meyer & Olivia Sullivan, The College of New Jersey
- Hong "Ruby" Chieu & Arijana York, University of Kansas
- Hutch Pharr & Jade Viator, University of Louisiana – Lafayette
- Jaylin Brown & Wen Zeng, University of Missouri - St. Louis
- Savy Walker & Emily Jackman, University of New Hampshire
- Jessica Wright & Anna Sisson, Utah Valley University
- Mia Crump & Malachi Chukwu, Washington State University
Visit the TCPA webpage to learn about the program and get updates as these advocates move through the program!
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New Resource Page: Prepare to Advocate!
We have a new Advocacy and Outreach Resource Page for everyone. The page features easy-to-read guides, engaging infographics, and other helpful resources. It’s a great place to learn about supporting inclusive higher education. Click here to check it out.
Think College has resource pages on 17 topics! It’s a great place to start if you’re looking to learn more. Click here to see the list of topics.
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How You Can Use TPSID Data
The 2022-2023 Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Annual Report is now available! Advocates can use key data for funding, educators can find effective practices for new programs, and researchers can explore trends. Students and families can make informed college choices, and professionals can stay updated on best practices. Get ideas on how to use the data here. Read the report here.
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What's Happening in Your State! | |
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Welcome to a new section of the newsletter, "What’s Happening in Your State!" Here, we’ll highlight key developments in inclusive higher education across the US.
We regularly share state-specific information such as available programs, state policies and legislation, and statewide or regional alliances in each state on the “What’s Happening in Your State" webpage on our site.
A key activity of the NCC is to track and report on all legislation related to inclusive postsecondary education at the state level. We share the details of all proposed and passed legislation in our resource library.
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Search “State Legislation” to view the 80+ listings! The list includes an annually updated table of all passed and proposed legislation, starting in 2015. We recently posted the 2024 update. It is a great resource to learn what states are doing to support the growth and improvement of postsecondary education options for students with ID in their state. | |
SOTA Conference Activities
Don't miss the 2024 SOTA Inclusive College Fair & Student Leadership Conference! Explore inclusive programs from around the country and learn about your options. It’s free for all students and families. Join in person on October 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Click here to learn more and register.
Applications Due Oct. 10: Summer Internship
Apply for the American Association of People with Disabilities' 2025 Summer Internship Program to gain job experience with Congress and federal agencies. This paid internship includes a stipend and you can either live on campus or work virtually. Attend an info session on Sept. 23! Click here to learn more and register.
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Inside Think College Blog | |
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Rebecca Lazo, students, and staff visited the White House for Disability Pride. They met key officials who are supportive of Think College’s impactful work. Read all about their big day!
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Lyndsey Nunes, director of Inclusive Postsecondary Education at Westfield State University, read how one book shaped her life, and how meeting one of its authors made a lasting impact.
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Read Mindy Lingo's post about Nichole Hastings and Liz Weintraub, two advocates who are preparing and empowering college students with intellectual disability to advocate for the rights of everyone in the community.
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Cobey Meyer is going places! Read this update from Cobey about how college and other experiences have helped him find his true focus: advocacy.
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Discover More at ThinkCollege.Net/events
NTACT: Empowering Youth Voices: Strategies and Resources for Self-Determination, Advocacy, and Leadership
September 26, 2024, 2-3pm ET
Virtual
Register
AHEAD START: A Training for New and Newer Disability Resource Personnel
October 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, & 24, 2024
Virtual
More info
Think College: College to Career: Inclusive Internship Support and Student Success
October 15, 2024, 3pm ET
Virtual
Register
MIHEC Learning Event: How the Higher Education Pathway to Competitive Integrated Employment can be Supported by VR
October 15, 2024, 7pm ET
Virtual
Register
State of the Art (SOTA) Conference
October 29-30, 2024
Chapel Hill, NC
More info
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) 2024
November 3-6, 2024
Washington, DC
More info
Accessing Higher Ground: Accessible Media, Web, and Technology Conference
November 11-15, 2024
Denver, Colorado
More info
Think College: Empowering Students to Make Choices and Get Involved on Campus
December 11, 2024, 3pm ET
Virtual
Register
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Other Think College Projects | |
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Regional Alliance Activity
The Think College Network (TCN) is creating effective regional alliances for supporting inclusive postsecondary education. There are currently 9 alliances at different stages of development. Through effective communication and leadership, TCN is driving progress in our communities. Want to learn more? Click here!
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Graduate Certificate in Special Education with a Concentration in Transition Leadership
The UMass Boston Transition Leadership Program seeks professionals in special education, vocational rehabilitation counseling, school social work, and guidance counseling to earn an education specialist endorsement in transition services. Graduates can expect career opportunities in high schools, transition programs, and college initiatives supporting students with disabilities. Contact Program Director Maria Paiewonsky at Maria.Paiewonsky@umb.edu or visit the program webpage.
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Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI)
MAICEI offers grants to college-school partnerships to support eligible public high school students with intellectual disabilities, ages 18–22, to increase their academic and career success by being included in a college or university community of learners. Learn more.
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AUCD: 2024 Emerging Leaders Map
The 2024 AUCD Emerging Leaders Map, themed "Celebrating Inclusivity Across Communities," highlights the contributions of Emerging Leaders in the AUCD Network. Explore stories of individuals advancing inclusivity in their fields and communities and use this map to discover and connect with these leaders.
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AHEAD 2024 Fall Webinar Series
The fall series covers a variety of topics important to providing access to higher education for students with disabilities, with topics ranging from disability studies to technology to campus leadership to working with students.
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The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) is a technical assistance center co-funded by the US Department of Ed's Office of Special Education Programs and the Rehabilitation Services Administration. They provide info, tools, and supports to assist groups to deliver effective services and instruction for secondary students and out of school youth with disabilities.
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