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±«±·±á’s has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create greater access to post-secondary education for young adults in Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø with an intellectual disability.

This grant, G (TPSID) project, marks a turning point for inclusive higher education in Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø. According to the 2019 Disability Statistics Compendium, in 2018, only 13.9% of N.H. residents with a disability age 25 and over earned a four-year college degree, compared to 24.3% of residents without disabilities. Additionally, young adults with intellectual disabilities are significantly more likely to be underemployed and live in poverty than their peers.

"For many students with intellectual disabilities, post-secondary opportunities are not extended to or expected of them. Today, that experience is changing."

"Opportunities for jobs and careers often come through post-secondary training and education experiences. For many students with intellectual disabilities, post-secondary opportunities are not extended to or expected of them. Today, that experience is changing," says IOD director Kelly Nye-Lengerman.

Over the next five years, the Granite State TPSID project will develop a sustainable model to enroll and support up to 50 students with intellectual disabilities at Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø and build capacity across the state’s network of institutions of higher education. In accordance with Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø COVID-19 operating procedures, innovative on-campus and remote-learning opportunities will combine traditional classroom experiences with inclusive campus life options, peer mentoring and academic coaching to prepare students for academic, occupational and social success.

"We've been working with Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø departments on campus as well as state agencies and non-profit partners to develop this model for the past five years. We're excited to be at this stage of implementation," says Tobey Partch-Davies, principal investigator for the Granite State TPSID project.