An article in Education Week highlights the rising demand for inclusive postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities, while also underscoring the challenges these programs face as proposed changes to federal funding threaten their continued growth.
鈥淓very year, we get 30-plus applicants, and we can accept only enough students to replace our current graduating class of six or seven,鈥 said Amy D鈥橝gati, director of , a two-year, non-degree college experience where students have access to university courses, live in campus housing, engage with peer mentors and participate in internships and paid employment. 鈥淚t would be devastating if they suddenly cut some of that funding and DORS said they could no longer pay that [tuition, room and board].鈥
Though federal funding for these programs remain uncertain, some states are stepping in to offer support. In Maryland, for example, the governor signed a bill into law that allocates $350,000 annually to support the TerpsEXCEED program.
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