Social peer programs in college: Exploring the program impact on students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

One way that students with and without disabilities can socialize and build awareness is through social peer programs at inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs. Social peer programs for college-age students with and without disabilities at IPSE programs have demonstrated positive social outcomes for students without disabilities (Carter et al., 2019; Reeves et al., 2025). However, exploring how social peer programs impact students with disabilities is limited. This study examines how participation in a university-wide social peer program impacted the lives of both students with and without disabilities.