State Vocational Rehabilitation Leaders' Perspectives on Partnering with Higher Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability. Insight: A Think College Brief on Policy, Research, & Practice. Issue No. 59

At a listening session held by the Employment Partnerships Workgroup, supported by the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network, five state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency leaders explored successes and challenges in partnering with higher education programs for students with intellectual disability. This Insight Brief provides an overview of the listening session and discussion of the key issues identified: language barriers, need for better communication, lack of awareness of systems and guidance, funding challenges, and the need for goal alignment and employment-focused programming. The brief includes recommendations for state VR agencies and higher education programs to overcome these challenges, such as improved communication practices, comprehensive training, and policy updates to improve funding and collaboration efforts.