How do typically developing Christian students feel about having students with intellectual disabilities integrated in their campus?

We asked students who were part of the first residential Christian College experience program in Minnesota what they would say to a Christian University who was considering including students with intellectual disabilities on campus.
We did not edit out the negative comments. There simply were none!

“DO IT. DO IT. DO IT. It will change the lives of both the students with disabilities and those without. DO IT!!!”

“I'd say to pray about it and give their students a heads up talk about how to treat people. And that it could be the best decision they could make. It would be life changing for both students with special needs and their yearly students. It would remind students to take the time to love others. Also of the simple questions being of greater importance than the hard intellectual ones constantly. Having a program like this will improve communication skills and community care.”

“I would say that they should absolutely do it! There is something so valuable that is gained with having people who have a disabilities living day to day with you.”

“It's tough at times and maybe uncomfortable but students with disabilities can teach your students so much about the important things in life.”

“We cannot put limitations and narrow your mind to what God has and is doing in the lives of those with disabilities. They are also precious in God's sight and used by God just as much as anyone else. The Creator has made people with disabilities in His image too with a calling and purpose. Furthermore they are just as capable in learning and growing in their walk with the Lord - and are just in need of the freedom to do so. Who are we to say one cannot attend a Bible college because of their disabilities and assume they would never understand or "get it"? Watch and learn and be amazed by the "FULL" Body of Christ.”

“Yes, Yes, Yes!  Yes for the sake of the traditional students. Yes for the sake of the students with disabilities. Yes for the sake of the faculty. The cost is very little and the reward is inconceivably high.”

“If you hesitate in any way because you're unsure of how they may act around other students or whatever, just bring them in! See how much it allows the students at the college to grow and to grow strong. It gives a much greater sense of community, which is so, so important. Bring them to your campus, remember that they are people too and just love them, as you surely will. You really can't help it.”

“Just do it!! But seriously they will change your campus for the better! They bring such a wonderful personality and quality to this school that creates such a great atmosphere to live in.”

“Do it! You will not regret it whatsoever! Simply allowing these young people to live on campus and sit in classes will change their lives and yours.”

“If the college has people willing to work closely and caringly with the students, and if the layout of the campus is manageable for the students with disabilities to navigate, they should do it!”

“Allowing disabled students on campus is well worth it. The dynamics that they bring on campus is a wonderful thing. It also helps develop character among all students they come in contact with.”

“It brings a new aspect of community that you would have never thought possible to a campus. The campus comes together as a family, especially when the Beyond Limits students are involved.”

“DO IT! It makes life far more vibrant and friendly.”

“It is a great way to help young adults too get out of their own self-absorbed lives and see the world as it is. Beyond limits helps me to value the simple things in life.”

“It takes all kind of flowers to make a garden! Why would you want to limit God's blessings? These guys teach us how to connect with God with childlike faith. There is definitely a different, deeper, more joyful atmosphere here when you realize that God loves everyone equally, and that is easier to realize when you have people with disabilities close to home. It's easy to say God loves everyone equally. But to see it lived out by staff, students, guests, everyone, just brings it home and makes it more real. A well-rounded campus shouldn't just focus on foreign exchange students or doctorates. Loving the least, the hard to love, that's well-rounded. That's Christ.”

“Ministry and community! It's all about ministry and community. The church body is made up of an assortment of people holding different strengths and weaknesses who all love one another and direct each other towards Christ. You won't realize what your daily life was missing in the first place until having students with disabilities around you.”

“It's a great way to interact with people with disabilities and it will show you how God extends His family to all. It will enhance your perspective on life.”

“DO IT. It is amazing for both traditional students to be around them as well as the students with disabilities to be given the opportunity to go on with life.”

“That it is a wonderful decision and will really push and grow their students attending with no disabilities present. It will grow their students to push to be better people socially and academically in order to set an example and be friends with those students.”

“It is an amazing experience that allows you to experience their beautiful hearts.”

“I would say go for it! It's such a cool way to learn and grow and also it's super encouraging.”