The Community of Inclusive Scholars Program at Salem State University is designed to support post-secondary access for adults with severe intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and autism. We are part of a network of colleges and universities under the Massachusetts Inclusive Post Secondary Education (MAIPSE) umbrella. Funding for the MAIPSE program is through the MA Department of Higher Education.
Opening its doors in the spring of 2017, our first students enrolled with a current IEP through a partnership (CIS Partnership) with local school districts. In 2022 MAIPSE was expanded to include students 22+ and older who had not passed MCAS and were no longer eligible for special education in their districts. These new regulations now provide for agency funding and private pay.
Scroll through the tabs below to see a description of the Community of Inclusive Scholars initiative and the options available under Partnership and Horizons, community life and internship opportunities.
James is a first-year student who works at the Gasset Fitness Center
"Some of my responsibilities include laundry, vacuuming, moping, cleaning equipments and meeting and greeting people. I love my job and get to meet a lot of new people."
