For many careers, additional education or training after high school is a requirement. Education after high school is called postsecondary education and includes trade schools, community colleges, and universities. Even if a student’s desired career does not require postsecondary education, it is likely they will need additional training beyond high school. Some examples of training include on-the-job training or an apprenticeship.
The Office of Disability Services is the office at the postsecondary educational institution that can provide accommodations, academic adjustments, and auxiliary aids and services to students who have temporary or permanent health impairments, physical limitations, psychological disorders, or learning disabilities. It is important for educators to encourage their students to visit the Office of Disability Services during college visits and to register with them once they are admitted. The name of the Office of Disability Services may vary; other names include Student Accessibility Services, Disability Services Office, Student Disability Services, Disability Services, and Student Accessible Services.
Explore the following links to learn more about postsecondary education and training.
The 60x30TX (“60 by 30 Tex”) higher education strategic plan contains four broad goals. Each goal contains a set of targets that will move the state toward reaching one or more goals. Many stakeholders across Texas will need to develop and implement a wide range of strategies to meet each goal: educated population, completion, marketable skills, and student debt. This link leads to postsecondary programs and services in Texas for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Beyond High School: Your Rights at College, Trade School, and More
This page, by Disability Rights Texas, contains frequently asked questions for students and families as they prepare for postsecondary education/training options.
Higher Education Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities
This guide focuses mainly on attending college, but it also touches on other options, such as online training, technical and trade schools, job training programs, adult education programs, and new transition models for students with disabilities.
Navigate Life Texas
Navigate Life Texas was developed by parents, for parents. This website offers many resources for people with disabilities and their families. The link leads to the page dedicated to college and alternatives for people with disabilities and is a great resource to share with students and families.
Texas College and Career Readiness Support Center
The Texas College and Career Readiness Support Center is a collection of resources and tools that can be used to prepare students for college and careers. The Texas College and Career Readiness Profile Planning Guide and the Texas Online College and Career Readiness Resource Center were created to support educators as they assist students planning for successful postsecondary options.
Texas Project FIRST: Postsecondary Education Resources
Texas Project FIRST was created for parents of children with disabilities by parents of children with disabilities. This link provides information on postsecondary education, including a comparison of IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA.
The Graduation Effect
This online resource demonstrates the positive impacts a 90% high school graduation rate could have on local, state, and national economies. Findings for the nation, all 50 states, and more than 130 metropolitan areas are available to business leaders, policymakers, community and civil rights activists, educators, parents, and others to use as they advocate for better educational experiences for youth.
Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with an intellectual disability. One of the most useful features of this website is a listing of all postsecondary programs in the United States for students with an intellectual disability.