U of Kansas Expands Program for Students With Disabilities

"The University of Kansas has received a five-year, $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education to grow the university's transition program for students with intellectual disabilities. KU Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU TPE) first launched at the Lawrence campus in 2015 to provide experiences for such students to engage in higher education and land a meaningful job. Now, the program will expand to two neighboring institutions, increasing opportunities for learners in the state."

"The background: Approximately one in five individuals with disabilities graduate from college, compared to 38 percent of people without disabilities, according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Transition and Post-secondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) grant provides funding to colleges and universities to create or expand programming for students who meet the criteria. Other colleges, including Utah Valley University, have received similar grants from ED to kick-start educational programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. For the 2025 award year, Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, Washington State University, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Georgian Court University in New Jersey, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the University of Memphis and Curry College in Massachusetts were among the grant recipients."

KU received a five-year, $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand KU Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU TPE) for students with intellectual disabilities. KU TPE launched at the Lawrence campus in 2015 to provide opportunities to participate in higher education and pursue meaningful employment. The grant will extend KU TPE to two neighboring institutions, increasing statewide access. Federal TPSID funding supports colleges to create or expand similar programs. College completion rates for people with disabilities lag those without. KU TPE students complete two-year undergraduate certificates designed to lead to competitive jobs aligned with individual goals.

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