Developing Critical Support Systems

Before the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) Amendments of 2008, students with intellectual disabilities (ID) were largely excluded from college. The amendments authorized discretionary grants to create Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs, expanding access for students with ID to improve outcomes in academics, social life, employment, and independent living. Many IPSEs use peer mentorship, pairing students with ID and other college students to support social skills, academic success, and personal growth. This chapter explores how mentorship programs are designed, implemented, and improved to support students with ID. It offers frameworks for building sustainable, effective mentorship programs aligned with institutional goals, and presents strategies for recruiting, training, and deploying mentors.