Inclusive Higher Education

Improved Opportunities for Meaningful,
Competitive Employment Post-Graduation

Higher education should be a place where everyone has the chance to learn, grow, and belong. Inclusive Higher Education (IHE) programs open the doors of college life to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by offering meaningful access to academics, campus activities, career development, and independent living skills. These programs focus on strengths, support individual goals, and create pathways to greater independence, employment, and community inclusion—because college should be for all. IHE promotes equity by ensuring students with disabilities are fully included in the academic and social fabric of campus life. IHE also benefits the broader college community by fostering diversity, empathy, and mutual understanding among all students.

In spring 2023, The Viscardi Center launched Long Island’s first Inclusive Higher Education (IHE) partnership with Nassau Community College (NCC). This pilot program is grounded in the Four Pillars of Inclusive Higher Education: Academic (Learn), Vocational (Work), Socialization (Play), and Independent Living (Live). Each student’s experience begins with a person-centered plan focused on building educational, vocational, social, and independent living skills. Students attend the college five days per week during the academic year and have the opportunity to audit self-selected college courses alongside their NCC peers, with the goal of preparing for part- or full-time employment. The vision is to support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in preparing for meaningful, gainful employment.

Building on this success, the program will launch a second location at Queensborough Community College (QCC) in Fall 2026, extending its reach to more students and promoting greater inclusion across campuses. 

The program is open to students who:

• Reside in Nassau County
• Have an intellectual and/or developmental disability.
• Have or will have earned a Local High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) by September 2026 for Nassau Community College (NCC) participation.
• Have or will have earned a Local High School Diploma, HSE, Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Credential, or Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (SACC) by September 2026 for Queensborough Community College (QCC) participation.
• Are approved for Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) services.
• Express an interest in participating in a community college experience.
• Have a future goal of employment.
  

The application for the 2027-2028 academic year open in December 2026. For more information Suzanne Sangiorgio, at ssangiorgio@viscardicenter.org.