Inclusive post-secondary education (PSE) delivers positive personal, social and academic outcomes. However, there is limited support for students with intellectual disability (ID) to participate in higher education, particularly in Australia. This study investigated the expectations and experiences of students with ID in an inclusive individual support PSE programme. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with students (n = 4) and peer mentors (n = 6) at the beginning and end of one academic semester. Participants were asked about inclusive practices, goal attainment, mentoring experiences and skill development. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Four major themes and several subthemes were identified: self-determination (e.g. self-confidence), social development (e.g. social networks), intellectual development (e.g. subject knowledge) and inclusive practices. The results emphasized the value of inclusive PSE for students with ID. Recommendations regarding future practices of inclusive PSE for people with ID are provided.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2008) Disability in Australia: Intellectual Disability. AIHW Bulletin No. 67: Cat. No. AUS 110. Canberra: AIHW.
CorbyDTaggartLCousinsW (2015) People with intellectual disability and human science research: a systematic review of phenomenological studies using interviews for data collection. Research in Developmental Disabilities47: 451–465. DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2015.09.001.
11.
Department of Employment Education and Training (DEET) (1990) A Fair Chance for All: Higher Education that’s within Everyone’s Reach. Canberra: DEET.
12.
DevineMAO’BrienMB (2007) The mixed bag of inclusion: an examination of an inclusive camp using contact theory. Therapeutic Recreation Journal41(3): 201.
13.
FolkEDRYamamotoKKStoddenRA (2012) Implementing inclusion and collaborative teaming in a model program of postsecondary education for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities9(4): 257–269. DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12007.
GibsonCJ (1997) The Next Step: a pilot study of inclusive university education for a selected group of people with an intellectual disability. Unpublished Honours Thesis, Flinders University, Australia.
16.
GiustAMValle-RiestraDM (2016) Supporting mentors working with students with intellectual disabilities in higher education. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities21(2): 144–157. DOI: 10.1177/1744629516651019.
17.
GrantleyJ (2000) Towards inclusion in university of people with intellectual disabilities. In: International Special Education Congress (ISEC) 2000: Including the Excluded, University of Manchester, UK. Available at: http://www.isec2000.org.uk/abstracts/papers_g/grantley_1.htm (accessed 12 June 2013).
18.
GriffinMMSummerAHMcMillanED, et al. (2012) Attitudes toward including students with intellectual disabilities at college. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities9(4): 234–239. DOI:10.1111/jppi.12008.
19.
GrigalMHartDMiglioreA (2011) Comparing transition planning, postsecondary education, and employment outcomes of students with intellectual and other disabilities. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals34(1): 4–17. DOI: 10.1177/0885728811399091.
20.
GrigalMHartDWeirC (2012) A survey of postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities in the united states. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities9(4): 223–233. DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12012.
21.
HartDGrigalMSaxC, et al. (2006) Postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities. Institute for Community Inclusion: Research to Practice45: 1–4.
22.
HartDMele-McCarthyJPasternackRH, et al. (2004) Community college: a pathway to success for youth with learning, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities in secondary settings. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities39(1): 54–66.
23.
HoutM (2012) Social and economic returns to college education in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology38: 379–400.
24.
HughsonEAMoodieSUditskyB (2006) The story of inclusive postsecondary education in Alberta: final research report 2004-2005. Edmonton, Canada: Alberta Association for Community Living. Available at: http://www.aacl.org/inclusive-education/post-secondary-education-overview/ (accessed 8 February 2017)
25.
JonesMMGobleZ (2012) Creating effective mentoring partnerships for students with intellectual disabilities on campus. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities9(4): 270–278. DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12010.
26.
KrollT (2011) Designing mixed methods studies in health-related research with people with disabilities. International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches5(1): 64–75. DOI: 10.5172/mra.2011.5.1.64
27.
LobbanMJ (2002) A Journey of Self-Discovery: inclusion of individuals with intellectual disability in university. Unpublished Honours Thesis, Flinders University, Australia.
28.
MayC (2012) An investigation of attitude change in inclusive college classes including young adults with an intellectual disability. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities9(4): 240–246. DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12013.
29.
MockMLoveK (2012) One state’s initiative to increase access to higher education for people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities9(4): 289–297. DOI:10.1111/jppi.12006.
30.
MooreEJSchellingA (2015) Postsecondary inclusion for individuals with an intellectual disability and its effects on employment. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities19(2): 130–148. DOI: 10.1177/1744629514564448.
NeubertDAMoonMSGrigalM (2002) Post-secondary education and transition services for students age 18-21 with significant disabilities. Focus on Exceptional Children34(8): 1.
33.
O’ConnorBKubiakJEspinerD, et al. (2012) Lecturer responses to the inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities auditing undergraduate classes. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities9(4): 247–256. DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12009.
34.
O’RourkeJ (2011) Inclusion at university: Can we do more than open the door?Journal of Social Inclusion2(2): 19–33.
35.
ParmenterTRKnoxM (1991) The post-school experiences of young people with a disability. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research14(4): 281–291.
36.
PlotnerAJMarshallKJ (2015) Postsecondary education programs for students with an intellectual disability: facilitators and barriers to implementation. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities53(1): 58–69.
37.
PlotnerAJMayC (2017) A comparison of the college experience for students with and without disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities23(1): 57–77.
38.
RapleyT (2004) Interviews. In: SealeCGoboGGubriumJSilvermanD (eds) Qualitative Research Practice. London: SAGE, pp. 15–33.
39.
RillottaFRozengartenTMaharC, et al. (2014) Inclusive post-secondary education: the university experience for people with an intellectual disability. In: 4th IASSIDD Europe Congress, Vienna, Austria, 15 July 2014.
40.
RoperP (1990) Changing perceptions through contact. Disability, Handicap and Society5(3): 243–255. DOI: 10.1080/02674649066780251.
41.
RuddickLOliverC (2005) The development of a health status measure for self-report by people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities18(2): 143–150. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2005.00243.x.
42.
SaloviitaT (2000) An inclusive adult education program for students with mild to severe developmental disabilities: experiences from a pilot project in Finland. Developmental Disabilities Bulletin28(2): 27–39.
43.
SwainJHammondC (2011) The motivations and outcomes of studying for part-time mature students in higher education. International Journal of Lifelong Education30(5): 591–612.
UditskyBHughsonE (2012) Inclusive postsecondary education – an evidence-based moral imperative. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities9(4): 298–302. DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12005.
WehmeyerML (1996) Self-determination as an educational outcome: Why is it important to children, youth and adults with disabilities? In: SandsDJWehmeyerML (eds) Self-Determination Across the Lifespan: Independence and Choice for People with Disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes, pp. 15–34.
