In December 2005, a group of individuals joined together to form a network of professionals interested in supporting the needs of students with disabilities at Idaho’s public and private postsecondary institutions. Represented at the first meeting were Boise State University, College of Southern Idaho, Eastern Idaho Technical College, Idaho State University, North Idaho College, Northwest Nazarene University, and University of Idaho. This meeting was noteworthy for two reasons:
- Idaho is a large, rural state and is home to eight public 2-year and 4- year colleges and universities, and three private colleges and universities. Because of the distance between and small number of traditional not-for-profit post-secondary institutions, few of the disability service providers knew of or had support from their peers in the state prior to our initial meeting.
- Collaboration was established between postsecondary institutions and the Idaho State Department of Education Special Education Bureau which is responsible for the K-12 educational system. The State Department of Education provided the financial support necessary to bring together disability service providers from all parts of the state of Idaho. The first meetings of the group focused on how to improve students’ with disabilities successful transition from high school to post-secondary education.
The State Department of Education has continued financial support allowing the group to meet twice a year. Subsequent meetings have resulted in the following outcomes:
- Establishment of a name (The Idaho Partnership on Higher Education and Disability – IPHED).
- Ratification of Mission and By-Laws.
- Election of Officers and a Board of Directors.
- Inclusion of additional members Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Idaho, and Lewis Clark State College.
- Establishment of a listserv to facilitate communication between members.
- Joint meeting between IPHED and the Idaho Secondary Transition Special Education Mentors to discuss transition strategies
- Presentations by IPHED members at state conferences such as Tools for Life and the Council for Exceptional Children’s Annual Conference.
- Professional development training on assistive technology, alternate format, C-Print, Typewell, and working with returning Veterans.