Why your Christian University should consider including students with intellectual disabilities.
by Steve and Barb Ziemke
With more than 250 colleges and universities around the country providing inclusive college experience programs for young adults with intellectual disabilities, the reasons to do so, especially for faith-based universities, should be obvious. But as those of us who follow Jesus’ teaching know, the most obvious things are often the easiest to miss.
With that in mind, here are seven “obvious” reasons to consider developing a specialized inclusive college experience program for young adults with disabilities on your campus.
1. WWJD?
The Body of Christ is not complete until all its members matter. We all know this to be true, but let’s be honest, when it comes to adults with disabilities, especially intellectual and developmental disabilities; the Church has missed the mark. When the average person thinks about those who care for people with disabilities, the Church is not the first thing to come to mind--or even the second or third. Christian universities and colleges have the power to lead the way in changing the perception--as well as the reality. By welcoming young adults with disabilities to your campus, you will not only be bringing in the kind of simple faith that Jesus celebrates. You will be bringing Jesus on campus, as you and your students rediscover Him in those others have ignored or excluded. (Matthew 25:40).
2. Achieve impressive and significant student outcomes
No matter how you slice it, employment statistics for people with disabilities are not good. In 2018, 66% of people without disabilities were employed. In contrast, only 19% of people with disabilities were employed and the number goes down even more for people with intellectual disabilities. Higher education equals better jobs, better pay and a better life. That’s why people go to college. It’s no different for people with intellectual disabilities.
Exposing Christian college students to real relationships with people with disabilities during these idealistic and impressionable years will impact them significantly as well. They will be more likely to continue to have meaningful relationships with people with disabilities after graduation and lead the way in including them in our churches and faith-based communities. They will also be better equipped to teach, employ, work beside, provide services to, parent, and serve alongside individuals with disabilities.
3. Ramp up real diversity
Most Christian Universities are striving to become more diverse communities. Many are wrestling with theological issues that make some areas of diversity challenging. Including students with disabilities won’t solve these issues, but it provides an opportunity to land on the right side of diversity with no theological controversy to overcome. Syracuse University’s Inclusive U program states it best when it says, “Disability = Diversity. “We celebrate disability because it makes our campus stronger, more diverse, and much more interesting; until everyone is included, there is no real inclusion for anyone.” Syracuse is not a Christian University but that is some solid “theology” we can all get behind.
4. Build a bridge from your students’ K-12 inclusive education to their future ministry and careers
Just to put things into perspective consider this: including students with intellectual disabilities in public education wasn’t a federal law until 1975. Many current professors and faculty didn’t experience inclusion in their own education, but today’s college students grew up with it. Your students are used to learning together with people with disabilities. As one young lady stated after her college started an inclusive college experience program, “Now my school finally feels complete!” Your students get this! They will be way better at it than you probably give them credit for. Trust them! They’ve been doing this for years.
5. Earn a reputation for being an innovative and forward-thinking university
People with disabilities are not going away. Between 2014 and 2016, the prevalence of developmental disabilities among kids ages 3 to 17 increased from 5.76 percent to 6.99 percent. That’s 7 million potential students that our Christian Universities literally cannot afford to ignore. The trend of including students with disabilities who require more than accommodations for access is here. Universities who do not get on board will be left behind in the ever-evolving higher education landscape. Christians have an opportunity to lead the way in an exciting opportunity that lines up perfectly with Christian principles. It may well be a “lead now, or be labeled later” opportunity.
6. Attract more on-campus students and increase your sense of community
Enrollment on college campuses across the country is down. Why not give students in fields like Education, Special Education and Social Work an advantage by pairing them with the population they ultimately will be serving? Not only will this lead to real world experience and a hiring advantage when they graduate, it will also give them a reason to study on campus rather than online. Some universities with inclusive programs are discovering that typically developing potential students are actually looking for colleges that include students with intellectual disabilities on campus. Attracting students with that kind of character will enhance campus life and enhance your institution’s attractiveness to quality students.
7. Have more fun and feel more fulfilled
Including students with intellectual disabilities on campus makes college life more fun. Students with intellectual disabilities bring a fresh perspective. They appreciate being included, their enthusiasm is infectious and it will positively impact the entire student body. When typically developing students see how much students with disabilities need to overcome and how hard they may have to work at some of the things that come so natural to others, their own attitude, work ethic, and determination can improve dramatically.
Dan Brokke, President/CEOof Bethany Global University sums it up best when he says, “Students with disabilities have become part of this community and have brought a richness to our campus life. Everyday our students are actively and practically involved in their lives. They are a part of us. They are involved. They make a difference. We are grateful that God led this special population to us.”
So what does it take to get started?
Clemson University is one of the pioneering universities in this movement. Their student population is around 23,000. Their LIFE program for including students with intellectual disabilities started with three students! You don’t need years of research or a multitude of sub-committees to begin including students with intellectual disabilities. An open mind, a willing heart and a nudge from God is all that it takes. Plus, you don’t have to do reinvent the wheel to do this. Believe College is here to help you. We have discovered the deep joy of including students with intellectual disabilities and are eager to spread that joy around. Send us an email or give us a call. We can start a conversation, meet with your team, and even connect you with some pioneers who have the kind of boots-on-the-ground experience that can get you started and moving the right direction. Inclusion is contagious and we are anxious to include you in this God-fueled movement.
Steve Ziemke is the founder and former director of Beyond Limits at Bethany Global University and current director of Believe College. Barb Ziemke is a Transition Specialist for a leading advocacy organization in the disability community. Together they are the cheering section for a Beyond Limits graduate who is living an inclusive life.