Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education

IN! –Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education is grounded in the belief that all students, including those with intellectual disabilities have the ability and the desire to advance their education beyond high school.  In this country, college is a valued and natural progression of development for students after they complete high school.  College is a place where young adults have the opportunity to explore areas of interest, establish lifelong  connections, and develop independence skills as they discover their unique voice. Historically, students with intellectual disabilities have been shut out of this important process of maturing.

In 2008, Congress passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA).  The Act made the college experience a reality for students with intellectual disabilities by providing funding to 27 colleges and universities; allowing them to develop model demonstration programs on their campus.    Today, there are over 100 college programs in the United States; unfortunately, none of them reside in Colorado.  Consequently, students with disabilities in this state are forced to travel elsewhere to further their education.  IN! is determined to change this inequity.

All Colorado students should have the opportunity to continue their academic pursuits here in their own state. We are actively working with local institutions to develop college options and plan to have students on at least two campuses by fall 2016.  In ten years, college opportunities will be available statewide and will be woven into the natural fabric of higher education.