2019 TASH Conference

Think College Search is the only centralized source of information on higher education options for students with ID. The online database includes information on over 75 variables and the development was guided by the Think College Standards for Inclusive Higher Education (Grigal, Hart, & Weir, 2011). The database was initially developed through a national survey of 149 inclusive postsecondary education programs (see Grigal, Hart, & Weir, 2012 for a review of methods). The database was revised and relaunched in 2017, with updated information provided by over 260 programs. The recommendations and resources to be provided in this session were developed based on direct input from college students with ID and their families, as well as our experience supporting students and families to use College Search. For more than 10 years, Think College has supported students, families, and professionals to learn more about college options. Through the questions that students and families have asked us and the feedback that they have provided to us, we have gained a wealth of knowledge of what it takes to find the right college. In this session, we present an overview of Think College Search and related resources that are available to support students and families in the college search process. Conducting a college search is a daunting task for any student and their family, but students with ID may have factors to consider in addition to the typical features of a college. We provide a summary of characteristics of college programs and give a detailed list of questions that student and families should ask as they research options. We will also share a tool to do a basic side-by-side comparison of programs and strategies for getting the most out of a campus visit or open house. By understanding the availability of options and the practices being used to support students with ID to access academic, residential, and employment experiences on college campuses, students and families will develop a better understanding of higher education options, and what characteristics matter most to them. The information provided will also be highly relevant to transition professionals who can use the resources and knowledge provided to share with students and families and support them in the college search process. This session is designed specifically for families and students, and has direct relevance to this audience, particularly those who are planning to conduct a college search. It will also have relevance to colleges and universities in terms of seeing how the information they share publicly through the Think College website and their own webpages shape public perception of their program, and perhaps lead to ideas for improvement in those areas. Other agencies will learn how to use Think College Search and can share those strategies with their stakeholders as well. The college search tools that will be shared and discussed in the session have been developed in consultation with parents and students. Some of the tools have been used by dozens of families and students over the past few years, and edits and additions have been made based on their input. We will also show and describe new web-based tools that have recently been added based on input from students and families.