My ROAD to College
Going to college is a big step for anyone. It’s a time to explore, step out of your comfort zone, and discover more about yourself. Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) want the same experiences as their peers—taking classes, making friends, joining activities, and building the skills they need for adult life.
My ROAD to College helps make that possible. We are creating practical tools that help inclusive college programs embrace dignity of risk. That means trusting students to make their own choices, try new things, and learn from experience, while still being there to give support. The project has three phases:
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Phase 1: Conduct a national survey, focus groups, and site visits to understand what supports or limits dignity of risk on college campuses.
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Phase 2: Use what we learn to create My ROAD to College tools that help programs reflect on their values and put dignity of risk into action.
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Phase 3: Pilot the My ROAD to College tools with four inclusive college programs to ensure they are helpful and easy to use.
A 12-member Empowerment Advisory Board, made up of youth with IDD, family members, service providers, inclusive college staff, and researchers, are guiding our work to make sure it benefits students and programs across the country.
Questions About My ROAD to College
My ROAD to College is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. You can find out more about them here.
My ROAD to College is a 3-year project that started in September 2024.
My ROAD to College is designed for inclusive college programs to help them evaluate and strengthen dignity of risk for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project invites programs to connect, listen to different perspectives, and reflect on how their values are put into practice across academic, social, and residential areas. Using what they learn, programs create a strategic plan with concrete steps to enhance dignity of risk and create a more empowering college experience. The work directly benefits students, and families and staff may also find the tools helpful.
Want to learn more about My ROAD to College or how you can get involved? Email our team at myroadproject@air.org or sign up for our newsletter using the link at the bottom of the page. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Want to learn more about My ROAD to College or how you can get involved? Email our team at myroadproject@air.org or sign up for our newsletter using the link at the bottom of the page. We can’t wait to hear from you!