Think College: College Prep for Intellectually Disabled Students

(https://thinkcollege.net/)

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Created By: Think College (University of Massachusetts, Boston)

Audience: Educators, students

Focus: College prep for intellectually disabled students

Big Picture: Think College is more than a website—it’s a comprehensive movement to provide college planning resources to people with intellectual and development disabilities. Watch the “Who is Thinking College?” videos (listed in Think College News on the homepage), and you’ll absolutely be moved. This national organization’s mission is to provide knowledge around all aspects of the disability, and to help educators and families alike get these students the college education they dream about. The site showcases standard features like college searching, financial aid help, and advice columns, plus a calendar of webinars and live events to help spread Think College’s message far and wide.

Big Challenge Solved: For students who have intellectual disabilities (and their educators and counselors), the site is a revelation—it’s jam-packed with resources geared strictly for them, making it singular among college-planning websites.

Must-Use: The Find a Resource button on the right side of the homepage sends users to a robust search engine that can pull up a wealth of PDF documents on such topics as career awareness, campus life, and helpful technology. 

Most Unique Tool: Click on What’s Happening in Your State to pull up a listing of resources, college programs, and events dealing with learning and intellectual disability in any state.

Best Middle-School Student Tool: One of the site’s coolest features is Think College Island (found in the For Students section)—an interactive island graphic allows users to click around on icons to get a wealth of info, including a link to social skills for middle-schoolers.

Best High-School Student Tool: High-schoolers can get firsthand advice from current college students in the For Students section—clickable graphics walk users through such topics as “Tips for Success” and “Working with Educational Coaches.”

Protip: Educators should go to Think College Learn in the Training section and register as a user for access to a variety of resources and tools to help them in counseling students with intellectual disabilities and their families.