Additional Presenters: Mary Judge-Diegert, Ed.D., Maria Paiewonsky, Ed.D., and Lyndsey Nunes, Ph.D.

The expansion of post-secondary inclusion programs has steadily increased over the past fifteen years, with Think College now recording 360 programs, which is six percent of colleges or universities in the United States. While there has been significant growth, there remains a need for college-based options for students with intellectual disabilities.

Regional alliances throughout the country have been developed organically and then intentionally to develop programs for students with intellectual disabilities, conduct research and address public policy at a more local level. The Northeast Post-Secondary Education Alliance (NEPSEA) is one of nine regional models representing Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Facilitated by four members of NEPSEA, this presentation will describe the initiative's background, provide an overview of the regional models, share NEPSEA goals, and discuss current activities. Participants will be asked to engage in brainstorming activities and discussion-based problem solving.