Resources for Navigating Adult Disability Services:

Postsecondary Education

A row of nine different peoples faces in collage

Postsecondary education offers students with disabilities opportunities to develop academic skills, employment readiness, social connections, and independence after high school. Tennessee provides a variety of options, including inclusive college programs, technical training, community colleges, apprenticeships, and transition programs.

This page outlines state-specific resources, program types, funding options, and strategies to help families navigate PSE planning.

Tennessee is a national leader in providing inclusive higher education options for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These programs, often called Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE), allow students to participate in college academics, campus life, career training, and independent living skill development with the supports they need to be successful. Additionally, Tennessee also has programs targeted to support students with autism. Tennessee offers both 2-year certificate programs and 4-year comprehensive college experiences, giving students and families a range of pathways that match their goals after high school.

How do I apply for accommodations?

Locate the college's disability services office (DSO)
Sometimes DSOs are called:
- Student Access Services
- Accessibility Services
- Center for Students with Disabilities
- Office of Equal Access

*Students must self-identify or be supported by staff, family, or IPSE personnel to do so*

Visit the college’s website and search for “Disability ”
Find the online intake form or contact email
Schedule an intake or orientation meeting

*Make sure to provide the required documents to verify disabilities and get accommodations

Postsecondary education is not limited to traditional college. Students with disabilities in Tennessee can access:

Inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Technical and community college programs with accommodations
Certificate and workforce development programs - move to employment!!

Types of Postsecondary Options in Tennessee

Tennessee has several inclusive postsecondary education programs (IPSE) for students with IDD.

Most include:

Independent living skills
Social skills training
Career internships
Supported academics
Job placement services

Community Colleges & Technical Colleges

Tennessee community and technical colleges offer:

Associate degrees
Occupational certificates
Workforce development programs
Apprenticeships

Disability Services Offices provide accommodations such as:

Extended time on assignments/tests
Audio books
Note takers
Priority registration
Reduced-distraction testing rooms

Video Resource +

Watch this video to learn more:

A version of this video is available in Spanish here.

ASSIST videos were supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH116058, PI: Taylor). ASISTIR videos were supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (R03 MH129757, PI: Burke).

State and Local Level Resources +

Below, we share some relevant resources in Tennessee. Click a resource title to visit its website. All resource descriptions are derived from the respective organizations.

Resource	Eligibility	Contact
Think College Provides resources, technical assistance, and training related to college options for students with intellectual disability. Manages the only national listing of college programs for students with intellectual disability in the United States.	Not applicable	Read about family resources Search colleges
Tennessee Inclusive Higher Education Alliance (TN IHE Alliance) An alliance advancing postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our mission is to increase the postsecondary educational opportunities for students on community college and four-year college campuses and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Tennessee currently offers eight Inclusive Higher Education (IHE) programs located in two- and four-year universities and colleges across the state.	Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
College Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder Students with autism can successfully attend colleges and universities. Prospective students and their parents must properly research schools. Look for programs that support students and help them acclimate to campus life. The right school may also need to offer routine check-ins and advisorsattuned to learners’ particular needs.	Not applicable
Southeast Post Secondary Education Alliance (SEPSEA) SEPSEA is dedicated to promoting inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Southeastern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.	Not applicable
Tennessee Promise Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students who attend college in our state. It provides students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institution offering an associate degree program.	Not applicable	(800) 342-1663
Tennessee Reconnect An initiative to help more adults return to higher education to gain new skills, advance in the workplace, and fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential.	Not applicable	(615) 532-3498 ask@tnreconnect.gov
Tennessee Diploma Options In Tennessee, there are four different diploma options available to students graduating from a public high school. The four options include a traditional high school diploma, a special education diploma, an occupational diploma, and an alternate academic diploma.	Each of these diploma types has different eligibility requirements and implications for the pathways students can take when they leave high school.
Autism Tennessee Captain Spectrum's Be Kind Scholarship is a postsecondary education scholarship that is awarded to a deserving autistic teen or adult who embodies Chris's spirit by demonstrating exceptional kindness, tirelessly fighting bullying, and nurturing friendships. If you are a person on the autism spectrum with aspirations for postsecondary education at a university, community college, or vocational technical school, we encourage you to apply. Be a part of carrying forward Chris's legacy of compassion and empowerment. Join us in making a difference and building a more supportive world.	For people on the autism spectrum	Contact form

Information last reviewed January 2026

To recommend other helpful resources, please send suggestions to ucedd@vumc.org.

Postsecondary Education Tips +

TPSID: Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

For students with intellectual disabilities (including Down Syndrome and autism)
Many programs are degree and certificate-granting
The immersiveness of programs varies

How to Apply for Postsecondary Programs

Identify Program Type
Decide whether the student wants:
- Inclusive college
- Trade school
- Technical certificate
- Apprenticeship
- Community college
Explore Programs Early
Families should begin:
- Touring campuses
- Speaking with program directors
- Reviewing student expectations
- Asking for disability services info
Gather Documentation
Most programs require:
- Psychoeducational evaluations
- IEP/504 paperwork
- Medical documentation
- Letters of recommendation
Complete Application Steps
Typical requirements:
- Application form
- Interview
- Program visit/tour
- Portfolio showing interests or strengths
Apply for Funding
Options include:
- Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
- WIOA funding
- TN Promise
- Pell Grants (if applicable)
- ABLE accounts for education costs
Transition Planning Tip
Include PSE goals in the IEP by age 14 in Tennessee.

Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Strategies

For Families

Encourage your child to attend college visits and interviews.

Request help from school counselors, VR counselors, or transition coordinators
Ask disability offices what accommodations are commonly used
Ensure academic expectations match the student's strengths

For Self-Advocates

Practice:

Introducing yourself to staff
Asking for help
Explaining how you learn best
Requesting accommodations (visuals, extended time, note-takers)

Build independence by:

Navigating campus
Managing a schedule
Using email professionally

PSE experiences improve:

Employment outcomes
Self-determination
Independence
Social networks
Quality of life

Tennessee is a leader in inclusive postsecondary programs, and many supports can be individualized to a student’s strengths and needs.

TNPathfinder.org +

If you are looking for more PSE-related services and programs, search topics of interest on the Tennessee Disability Pathfinder website.

Sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start in Pathfinder. If you are struggling to understand how to find resources related to PSE, here are some step-by-step directions:

Start at the main page and click “Education”
Click next
Select the stage of life - Transition/Young Adult
Click next
Select the diagnosis that you or the individual identifies with/has
Click next
Choose the appropriate payment option that fits your needs
Click next
Select the appropriate city or search by your city and/or address
Take time and navigate the resulting resources to further find what fits your specific