Learning is for Everyone: Postsecondary Education for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Career Level: Basic-level career services, university relations and recruiting, and business affiliate professionals
Competency: Program design, implementation, and evaluation
Fee: FREE (member); FREE (nonmember);

Summary
Individuals with intellectual disabilities have historically faced significant barriers to employment and independent living compared to their nondisabled and disabled peers. However, postsecondary education (PSE) programs have emerged as a powerful tool to improve outcomes in these areas. Research demonstrates that nearly two-thirds of students from PSE programs are employed one year after graduation, and one-third achieve independent living away from family members. With 355 programs across 49 states enrolling approximately 6,000 students, PSE programs have become a vital pathway to self-sufficiency for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

These programs operate under three primary models: fully inclusive, substantially separate, and hybrid/mixed. Hybrid programs, the most common, blend traditional academic coursework with functional academic skills, creating a tailored approach that meets individual student needs.

One standout example of a hybrid PSE program is ClemsonLIFE™, hosted at Clemson University. ClemsonLIFE™ combines functional academics, traditional college experiences, and career exploration to prepare students for competitive employment and independent living. Students engage in both academic and real-world learning, including courses in life skills, independent living, and social engagement, while fully integrating into campus life through activities like Greek life, intramural sports, and residential housing.

The results speak for themselves: a recent survey of ClemsonLIFE™ graduates revealed that 97% are employed or pursuing further education, and 60% live independently—far surpassing national averages.

This webinar will explore how ClemsonLIFE™ achieves these exceptional outcomes and what higher education institutions and employers can learn from their approach.

Following this program, you will be able to:
- Participants will gain an understanding of the ClemsonLIFE program's structure and outcomes;
- Participants will learn actionable strategies for developing PSE programs on their own campuses; and
- Participants will discover how career services and employers can collaborate to create inclusive workplaces and recruit students win intellectual disabilities for internships and employment.
Presenters

Sarah McAlpine, Advanced Program Employment Instructor, Clemson University
Sarah McAlpine is the Advanced Program Employment Instructor for ClemsonLIFE at Clemson University, where she has been a dedicated educator for more than 13 years, with nearly a decade of experience in postsecondary education. Holding an undergraduate degree in special education and a master’s in youth development leadership, she is passionate about empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between these individuals and their communities, fostering inclusion, self-determination, independence, and career readiness.

Joseph Ryan PhD, Executive Director ClemsonLIFE, Clemson University
Joseph Ryan, Ph.D., is the Sue Stanzione Distinguished Professor of special education and 2023-24 U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Ireland. He is the founder and executive director of Clemson LIFE (Learning is for Everyone), a nationally recognized postsecondary education program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. He has taught students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) from grades K through 12 across a variety of educational settings, including resource and self-contained classrooms, special day schools, and a residential treatment center. Dr. Ryan has more than 100 publications, and currently serves as the editor of the journal Beyond Behavior. His research interests focus on behavioral interventions and enhancing post-school outcomes for individuals with disabilities. He has been interviewed by Anderson Cooper, CNN, Headline News, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other leading periodicals, and given three U.S. Congressional Briefings on behavioral crisis interventions for schools.