Most students with complex support needs are taught in separate special education classrooms; one reason is teams that inappropriately use the intensity of support needs as the basis for placement in more restrictive placements. This study used Bayesian multilevel modeling to determine whether the intensity of student support needs predicted…

Representations of diversity and otherness in cartoons offer metaphors for identity that can affect children's perceptions and attitudes towards the potential and challenges associated with various forms of disability. This contribution analyses a corpus of animations made up of feature films, series, and short films with a focus on how disability…

Background: Although particular technologies can enhance the quality of life (QoL) of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (we use the term pervasive support needs), their objectives and outcomes are understudied. A systematic literature review was therefore conducted to explore this topic. Method: A search of four databases…

The passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act in 2008 triggered an increase in inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs across the United States, giving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to enroll in typical college courses. A multiple case study of IPSE programs at five institutions of higher…

According to Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), state parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to education. In this paper we focus on access to higher education for persons with intellectual disabilities and the recognition or non-recognition of these persons as students…

Background: Third-level education is a relatively new opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities. The development of third-level educational opportunities for this population rests on understanding their experiences and suggestions for programme development and improvement. The aim of this study is to establish how inclusive third-level…

It is well known that disabled students face a myriad of barriers to inclusion while navigating higher education. Institutional policies and practices serve as fundamental drivers to the operation of a university and, as such, play a significant role in the support, experiences, protections, and inclusion of disabled students. This study…

Friendships are personally valuable and developmentally important relationships for all people, yet friendships between students with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) remain infrequent, even in inclusive settings. Extant research indicates that opportunity barriers may play a more prominent role in friendship…

This conceptual methods article parallels remarks given at the 2022 American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities conference highlighting the importance of including the voices of people with intellectual disability in research processes. The purpose of this article was to put forth a call to action to disability researchers…

Growing numbers of students with intellectual disability (ID) have gained access to universities and colleges through the development of inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs. Despite having physical access to college and university campuses and even classroom spaces, navigating access to actual course content remains a challenge for…

Inclusive research based on collaborative partnership with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has the potential to lead to relevant and meaningful research outcomes. An inclusive research approach is necessary for research endeavors which strive to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people with intellectual and developmental…

Approximately 19 percent of undergraduate students in the United States identify as having a disability, yet postsecondary institutions often lack the legal infrastructure necessary to support their academic success. National data show that only 49.6 percent of disabled students graduate from four-year institutions, compared to 68.1 percent of…

There is a growing number of inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs and scholarship in higher education. Providing a spectrum of educational opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in higher education plays a pivotal role in creating inclusive and meaningful access to postsecondary education.…

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (SWIDD) often require academic, employment, and social support to be successful in inclusive postsecondary education programs. One way to provide support in these areas is via peer mentorship. In addition to SWIDD obtaining the support they need; peer mentors also benefit from the…

Background: Including people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities as research participants challenges researchers due to their diverse abilities to participate and express themselves. Ensuring the rigour of the research and the credibility of the findings presents a challenge. Methods: We use examples from our research to demonstrate…