Inclusion in education doesn’t end at high school. For adults with developmental disabilities in California, access to meaningful college experiences is expanding, but advocacy is still key to making it truly inclusive.
Programs like Think by the Bay at Cal State East Bay are opening doors for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend college alongside their peers. But when students in that program were recently excluded from participating in official commencement ceremonies, it sparked a wave of advocacy. The college decided that their education program was not a formal degree program so they would not be eligible to participate. A petition demanding full inclusion in graduation events is a reminder that equal access must include equal recognition. See the petition: Demand Inclusion: Let Think By the Bay Graduates Participate at CSUEB Commencement.
A new collaboration is also leading the way for advocacy in education. To bolster statewide inclusion efforts, the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) have been awarded a grant from the California Department of Education (CDE) to co-lead the California Center for Inclusive College (CCIC). Funded by a $2 million allocation from the California Budget Act of 2024, the grant will support the expansion of postsecondary programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goal is to connect students with job skills, credentials, and real-life campus experiences that support long-term success.
Even with new programs and legal wins, families and advocates still face barriers. Common educational issues that require advocacy include:
• Access to inclusive college programs and support staff
• Participation in ceremonies, events, and student life
• Accommodations in coursework and testing
• Availability of accessible transportation
• Funding and financial aid eligibility
• Awareness and training for faculty and staff
Inclusion in education isn’t just about being allowed through the door. It’s about being welcomed, supported, and celebrated. Whether it’s fighting for a seat at graduation or helping to build new college pathways, every advocacy effort brings us closer to a more inclusive future for students of all abilities.
Want to support inclusive education? Share stories, back programs like CCIC, and speak up when inclusion falls short. Every voice counts.
