Greetings,

We are excited to invite you to the CONNECT Conference 2025, happening May 21st - May 23rd, 2025, in Moscow, Idaho! This event is designed to bring together IPSE students, families, and service providers to build capacity, strengthen networks, and support successful employment and career transitions.

As part of the conference, the ECLIPSE Student Leadership Conference and the 2nd annual NWIPSEA Capacity Building Institute will provide valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional growth.

To be considered for a scholarship from Think College NWIPSEA, you must register by April 7th.

 Register here: https://connectconference2025.eventbrite.com

We encourage you to secure your spot soon! If you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Jeremy Ford (nwipsea@gmail.com) or Peighton Pratt (ppratt@uidaho.edu). We look forward to seeing you in Moscow this May!

Best,

Dr. Jeremy W. Ford, NCSP

Co-Chair

Hello NWIPSEA Members!

We're excited to share two upcoming opportunities for parents and families, though these may also be of interest to our educator members as well.

On Tuesday April 15 at 12:00 pm PST, the Education Interest Network of AAIDD (the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) is hosting a panel webinar called Extending Beyond the IEP Meeting. This event is part of a series called Bridging Research Applications Across Interest Networks (or BRAAIN for short). For this webinar, the Education Interest Network will be partnering with AAIDD's Family Interest Network, along with researchers and parent advocates. If you'd like to register, please email Kathryn Sheridan Stiefel (k.sheridanstiefel@wsu.edu).

Best Regards

The NWIPSEA Team

Happy New Year from NWIPSEA!

As we step into the new year, we want to take a moment to wish all of our members a year filled with success and continued growth. The past year has been a time of change and progress, and we are excited about the opportunities the new year brings for all of us in the inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) community.

To kick off the year, we want to highlight an insightful blog post from ThinkCollege.net, titled "It is a New Year, a New Congress, and a New Administration." This post provides an overview of the key developments to expect in 2025, with a focus on how changes in Congress and the administration may impact policies affecting postsecondary education for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The article emphasizes the importance of advocacy and staying informed as we work toward a more inclusive educational landscape.

Read the Think College blog post here.

Here's to a year of positive change and progress!

Warm regards,
The NWIPSEA Leadership Team

Attending a college tour is an exciting step in the journey toward higher education!  Achieve at Highline College offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Achieve provides a comprehensive college experience designed to help students build independence and prepare for future careers.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

• November 19, 6:00-7:00 PM (hybrid)
• December 5, 9:30-11:30 AM (in-person, includes a campus tour)

For more information, click here to view Achieve's flyer: Achieve_EventsandTours.pdf

Dear NWIPSEA Community,

We are excited to announce a special collaboration with College Hill, a distinguished merchandising company. This partnership has led to the creation of a unique pop-up shop that will offer a range of NWIPSEA-branded apparel, including t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, and sweatshirts -- now through September 27!

Why is this pop-up shop so important? It’s more than just an opportunity to purchase comfortable and stylish clothing—it’s a crucial step in raising awareness about the importance of inclusive postsecondary education programs across the northwest. By showcasing NWIPSEA when wearing these items, we can highlight the transformative impact these programs have on students and their communities.

Our heartfelt thanks go to College Hill for their invaluable support. Through their collaboration with the Achieve at Highline College Program and the WSU ROAR Program, College Hill has empowered students by providing hands-on experience in graphic design, apparel creation, and merchandising. This practical experience is instrumental in helping students develop essential career skills and gain confidence in their professional abilities.

We invite you to visit our pop-up shop, not only to support a great cause but also to enjoy apparel that is as comfortable as it is impactful. Every purchase you make helps us continue our mission of advocating for inclusive higher education and supporting the students who benefit from these vital programs.

Thank you for your continued support! Shop the pop-up shop here: collegehill.com/collaborations/nwipsea

Warm regards,

Jeremy Ford, Co-Chair
Kathryn Sheridan Stiefel, Co-Chair
Northwest Inclusive Postsecondary Education Alliance (NWIPSEA)

Dear NWIPSEA Community,

We wanted to share an important development in the field of vocational rehabilitation that may impact both service providers and those seeking vocational support in our region. The article titled "Feds Tell Voc Rehab Agencies Not To Limit Services To In-State Options" provides crucial insights into recent federal guidance aimed at expanding access to vocational rehabilitation services.

According to the article, the U.S. Department of Education has instructed vocational rehabilitation agencies to broaden their service options beyond state boundaries. This change is designed to enhance opportunities for individuals seeking specialized vocational support that may not be available locally.

For more detailed information, you can read the full article here: Feds Tell Voc Rehab Agencies Not To Limit Services To In-State Options.

We encourage you to review this update, as it may provide new avenues for accessing the support and resources needed to achieve vocational goals.

Best regards,

Kathryn Sheridan Stiefel and Jeremy Ford
NWIPSEA Co-Chairs

The Disability Action Center NW (DACNW) wishes you a happy Disability Pride Month!

Here is some information about their July Newsletter:

"July is a great time to celebrate our uniqueness and learn more about the Americans With Disabilities Act. You'll find celebrations you can attend, information on what Disability Pride is and how you can take part. Find out about a disability blogger that visited Idaho! Where you might save on your prescription drugs. And of course, the latest in assistive technology for better living."

To read an accessible version of the July newsletter, please click here.

Are you interested in working at an inclusive postsecondary education program? Washington State University ROAR is hiring for a student services coordinator!

More information regarding the position is included below. If you have questions, please email: coe.roar@wsu.edu.

• Title of Position: ROAR Student Services Coordinator
  

• Institution Hiring: Washington State University – Pullman (WSU ROAR)
  

• Date when position will begin: August 2024
• Applicants must submit their completed application by Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

•  About the position: WSU ROAR is seeking a Student Services Coordinator to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be pivotal in leading and implementing student services programs, advising, and counseling. Your responsibilities will include managing student caseloads, designing workshops, supervising graduate assistants, and coordinating academic support. You will also collaborate with faculty, plan events, and engage in fundraising activities. Required qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree and three years of professional experience in student services or related fields. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree and experience working with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Apply now to make a meaningful impact!

Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/bdhp9kyf

We are so happy to celebrate #IPSEDay across the northwest! Programs in our region have celebrated Inclusive Post Secondary Education Day by taking final exams, spending time with their college pals, and advocating for inclusion.

Pictured below are students from the Boise State PEERS Program at the Idaho State Capitol, who have illustrated the importance of inclusion and access to higher education with some amazing posters!

Inclusive postsecondary education offers young adults with intellectual disabilities a chance to learn and grow alongside their peers without disabilities. It provides them with opportunities to develop academic, social, and vocational skills in a supportive environment. This inclusive approach promotes independence, fosters self-confidence, and enhances their employment prospects, leading to a more inclusive society overall.

Dear NWIPSEA Community,

We are thrilled to announce that the Northwest Inclusive Postsecondary Education Alliance is now officially on social media! In our ongoing commitment to fostering connections and collaboration in inclusive higher education across the Northwest United States, we have launched our Instagram and Facebook pages.

Follow us on Instagram: @NWIPSEA

Like us on Facebook: Northwest Inclusive Postsecondary Education Alliance

This is a significant step in our mission to create a platform where stakeholders, educators, students, and advocates can come together to share ideas, resources, and success stories. Through our social media channels, we aim to amplify the voices of those dedicated to advancing inclusive postsecondary education and create a vibrant online community.

Join us on this exciting journey as we work towards building a more inclusive future for higher education in the Northwest. We look forward to connecting with you, sharing valuable insights, and fostering a collaborative network that empowers individuals and institutions alike.

Thank you for your continued support!

Best regards,

Jeremy Ford and Kathryn Sheridan Stiefel
Co-Chairs for the Northwest Inclusive Postsecondary Education Alliance