Higher Education Act to Benefit Students with Disabilities

On August 14, 2008, President Bush signed a bill reauthorizing the Higher Education Act. After many years of effort, extensions, and months of negotiations, Congress approved this bill. A part of the push for the expansion of the Higher Education Act was the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), of which United Cerebral Palsy is a member organization.

Provisions included in this bill that benefit students with disabilities include:

• » Allowing for the first time students with intellectual disabilities -- who are attending programs designed for them in higher education -- to be eligible for Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and the Federal Work-Study Program.
• » Authorizes the development and expansion of high-quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and post-secondary programs.
• » Ensures equal college opportunities for students with disabilities.
• » Authorizes the establishment of a coordinating center for new programs that will provide technical assistance, evaluation, and development of recommendations, as well as outreach to post secondary programs, families and prospective students.
• » Establishes a national center to provide support services and best practices for colleges, students, and their families.
• » Helping colleges recruit, retain, and graduate students with disabilities while improving education materials and facilities.

Provisions were also made in the Higher Education Act to prepare educators from early childhood through postsecondary education in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in their instructional practices. UDL provides flexibility in the ways that information is presented, ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and the ways in which students are engaged. UDL also maintains high achievement expectations for all students and reduces barriers in instruction, providing appropriate accommodations and support.

For more information on the Universal Design for Learning, please visit the UDL for all students or CAST organization Web sites.

For more information on how the Higher Education Act will impact your affiliate and UCP consumers, please contact Julie Ward or Erika Hagensen of the Disability Policy Collaboration at (202) 783-2229 or contact Jane West of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities at 202-293-2450.