UI REACH: A Postsecondary Program Serving Students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities

摘要: Across the United States postsecondary education (PSE) options for young adults with autism and intellectual disabilities (ID) are emerging as a result of parent-professional advocacy group actions legislation such Higher Education Opportunity Act 2008 (HEOA). In this article University Iowa Realizing Educational Career Hopes (UI REACH) Program, thriving, well-integrated two year certificate program is described. We discuss UI REACH model—its mission, student-centered goals, strategies employed to ensure quality, sustainability, continuous improvement. The student population, curriculum, staffing needs, day-to-day operating issues experiences perceptions 14 students spectrum disorder (ASD) suggest that facilitates positive campus living-learning experience these students. Challenges recommendations institutions higher considering developing, or in early stages similar programs presented.