Debra Hart runs a program that provides services to people with disabilities at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

She says eight years ago, advocates could find only four university programs that provided mentors and tutors to help students with intellectual disabilities. Last year, there were more than 250 such programs in three dozen states and two Canadian provinces.

University of Central Missouri student Gabe Savage says college has given him the chance to make new friends, try out for a school play and brush up on his computer skills. The 26-year-old with developmental issues says it's been "an answer to my prayer."