Policy Issue

Post-secondary education for all students, including those with special needs, provides opportunities for increased personal growth, employment and social activities. Post secondary education opens the door to people with disabilities to more fully participate in the labour market. Considerable research has shown that people with disabilities accessing post secondary education are employed at a much higher rate than those with just a high school diploma. When people with developmental disabilities attend post secondary programs, they still face attitudinal barriers that limit their inclusion into college and university life. Many of the informal personal growth and social opportunities available to typical students are still inaccessible to people with developmental disabilities.

Policy Statements

• People with developmental disabilities should have the opportunity to attend regular college and university programs, courses and activities.
• Adequate levels of support for disability-related needs must be available to people with developmental disabilities attending post-secondary education institutions...