Friendships are personally valuable and developmentally important relationships for all people, yet friendships between students with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) remain infrequent, even in inclusive settings. Extant research indicates that opportunity barriers may play a more prominent role in friendship…

This study aimed to understand the ways in which college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience and develop their understanding of emotions and emotional wellness. Semi-structured interviews with college students with IDD were conducted. The research team utilized consensual qualitative research (CQR) to analyze…

Increasing numbers of students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) enroll in Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE). While there is a breadth of research on inclusive post secondary education, research in this field has yet to center those whom it impacts most directly- the students themselves. Utilizing a Disability Studies…

With the increase in college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) enrolled in inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs, there is a growing call to understand additional support necessary for their mental health and wellness. Our IPSE program developed the personal development (PD) domain to meet the unique…

Belonging is an essential human need, regardless of whether or not one has a disability, and has been found to positively impact one's physical and mental health. Feelings of belonging for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have largely been unexplored in research. Using the 10 Dimensions of Belonging…

Peers have a prominent place within peer-mediated interventions (PMI). Understanding how they might benefit from their experiences supporting students with disabilities is an emerging area of much-needed research. This qualitative study was designed to identify the breadth of ways peers report being affected by their diverse experiences. We held…

Transition-age adults with disabilities largely desire the same community employment and community participation outcomes as young adults without disabilities. One common barrier to the manifestation of these desires is the lack of reliable and accessible transportation in their communities. This study used the participatory action research method…

Transportation is a necessity in adult life. Qualitative literature regarding the usability of transportation to travel freely within the community (e.g., school, work, leisure activities) is widely circulated; however, information regarding transportation needs and barriers specifically faced by individuals with an intellectual and developmental…

We examined differences in the social networks, social supports, and college-related anxiety and distress between 42 college students in a traditional degree-seeking (TDS) program and an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program at the same campus. Our findings revealed that IPSE students had smaller, denser social networks predominantly…

Self-determination skills are critical for improving life outcomes for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). The recent growth of postsecondary education (PSE) programs for those with IDD has provided additional opportunities for teaching self-determination skills. This study used a multiple probe across participants…

The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of belonging from the perspective of Cora, a school-aged child with an intellectual disability and significant support needs. Multiple data sources, including interviews, observations, field notes, and visual aids were coded and analyzed. Findings from the study illuminated how Cora's…

With growing opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disability to access a variety of inclusive higher education programs comes an increased need for program implementers to evaluate practices and outcomes alongside participants. This mixed-method, exploratory study examines self-determined goal setting, goal attainment, and…

Passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) in 2008 expanded access to postsecondary opportunities for individuals with I/DD by establishing Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTP) for which federal financial aid can be used. Postsecondary enrollment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has increased…

Although adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are reported to experience high rates of bullying victimization, rates vary based on adolescent versus parent-report. The current study conducted interviews to explore whether adolescents with IDD perceive and describe school-based bullying victimization experiences…

Background: Research suggests physicians may harbour paternalistic attitudes towards people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and lack the knowledge and skills to work with them. This study examined the impact of a brief intellectual and developmental disability curriculum intervention on these outcomes. Methods: First-year medical…