Accreditation

The Center for Disability and Education has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of a national accreditation process for inclusive postsecondary education programs.

The National Coordinating Center (NCC) at Think College in partnership with the Center, initiated the establishment of a national accreditation agency in 2023 for inclusive higher education, known as the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC).

Martha Mock, director of the Center, chaired the NCC 2020-2025 Accreditation Workgroup for the NCC at Think College, which played a crucial role in the development and launch of the accrediting processes. Mock also leads the IHEAC.

Mary Judge Diegert, the Center’s associate director, chairs the 2025-2030 Accreditation Workgroup for the NCC. She also serves as a liaison and plays a significant role in leading the site visit processes necessary for postsecondary education programs catering to students with intellectual disability to attain accreditation.

In January 2026, the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education & Human Development was awarded a $1 million grant from the US Department of Education to advance accreditation and quality assurance for postsecondary certificate programs serving students with intellectual disability. The four-year grant supports a national partnership between the Warner School’s Center for Disability and Education and the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council.

The Center for Disability and Education played a pivotal role in implementing the IHEAC accreditation process under the leadership of Martha Mock, professor and director of the center, who serves as principal investigator on the grant. Mary Judge-Diegert, assistant professor and associate director of the center, serves as co-principal investigator.