SF State Inclusion Pilot Project
For Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The SF State Inclusion Pilot Project facilitates authentic academic and social inclusion of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in academic courses and campus life. Our goal is to make a college education—and the opportunities it provides for academic enrichment, socialization, independence and career development—accessible to everyone.
Inclusion students are supported to develop an individualized course plan aligned with their personal, academic and career goals. The individualized plan typically consists of courses from the regular course offerings open to all SF State students, social activities and career-related activities. Undergraduate peer mentors play a main role in supporting inclusion students to direct their college experiences leveraging each other's interests and strengths.
Inclusion students receive a certificate of completion detailing their academic, social and career accomplishments as laid out in their individualized plan. The project facilitates a network of natural and professional supports through close interagency collaboration.
The Program Currently Offers:
- Student-directed decision making and planning process
- In-class and out-of-class support from peer mentors
- Integrated circles of support
- Expanding the campus-wide focus on diversity, inclusion and equity work around disability
- Prioritizing the voices and lived experiences of historically marginalized groups
- Assistance with applying to the California Department of Rehabilitation Services for additional academic and vocational support services
Donate to Our Crowdfund
Your help will allow us to continue supporting our students and to expand the program to include more students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at SF State.
Meet the Students
This project started in spring 2021 with a pilot cohort of three students: Ishaan, MaShay and Auggy. In spring 2022, we welcomed two new students: Khang and Mateo. Each inclusion student is enrolled in one or two courses of their interest in different departments, and the coursework is modified or accommodated to their individual strengths and needs.
Ishaan
“The classes encourage and inspire me to focus and work more in the field of my favorite subjects.”
MaShay
“One day I hope to become a veterinarian or one day work with little kids. I also want to publish my first book.”
Augustin
“I’d like to be an animator because I like creating and drawing. I dream of having a job that makes me feel I can do hard work.”
Khang
“I want to be able to cook and explore other countries' cuisines like French and Spanish food.”
Mateo
“I would like to be able to take care of myself, manage my frustration and be more kind.”
Impact on the SF State Community
Impact on Peer Mentors
“The first semester after graduating with a BA in Cinema, I was lucky to find the Inclusion Pilot Project. It’s very important to diversify the college classroom; I think it benefits students as well as professors to be surrounded by all kinds of perspectives. Working closely with my inclusion student a few times a week, I’ve also learned a tremendous lot from him. I never knew I could have so much fun helping someone understand the filmmaking process and encouraging him to further their skills on a career-focused path. I’ve come to love this program and everyone involved in creating IPP, and I hope we will continue to grow a more inclusive college environment for years to come.”
Ash Verwiel
Peer Mentor
Impact on Faculty and Leadership
“The College of Extended Learning (CEL) helps expand access to SF State. In stewarding this new Inclusion Pilot Project, CEL provides a specifically designed pathway for developmentally disabled students that did not previously exist, to study at SF State. It also reflects SF State’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion on its campus. At the same time, it is extremely important for me personally, since I have a son who is on the autism spectrum. I have witnessed first-hand how important support and opportunities are for him to remain on a successful learning path. This program will support learners and families who would otherwise have to navigate a very complex system to access the benefits of higher education. We look forward to serving these new students at SF State.”
Shih-Hsung (Alex) Hwu
Dean, College of Extended Learning
About
Overview
Tuition and Registration
Students register through the College of Extended Learning, Open University. The pilot students' tuition is supported by the Department of Rehabilitation.
Due to the limited funding, this program only accepts new applicants from March through April for the following fall semester, with limited space.
Background
Since the passage of the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), a growing number of universities have founded programs to improve access to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities.
The latest national Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) report (Grigal et al, 2020) shows positive outcomes for students in post-secondary inclusion programs, like:
- Much higher (64%) employment rates than the general population of adults with IDD (18%)
- 93% of the included students report that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their social life
- 78% completed their program
- Benefits for faculty and students with and without disabilities
- Increased inclusive instructional practices consistent with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Partners
SF State Partners:
- Department of Special Education
- English Department
- College of Extended Learning
- Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
- Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability
- Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC)
External Partners:
- Albany Unified School District
- California Department of Rehabilitation
- California Department of Developmental Service (Regional Centers)
- San Francisco Unified School District
- Oakland Unified School District
- Dublin Unified School District
- Think College
Contact
Email Inclusion@sfsu.edu
Instagram @SFSU_Inclusion
Facebook SFSU Inclusion Pilot: Students w/ Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Team
- Dr. Julie Paulson, Professor of English
- Dr. Kathleen Mortier, Assistant Professor of Special Education
- Dr. Mayumi Hagiwara, Assistant Professor of Special Education
- Sadie Egan, MA, Lecturer of Special Education
Inclusion Pilot Project in SF State News
Find out how the Inclusion Pilot project opens learning opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in this feature from SF State News.