Bonamici, Bucshon, Rodgers, Courtney, Schrier, Molinaro Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Make College Support Services More Accessible for Students with Disabilities
WASHINGTON, DC [3/30/23] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA), and Marcus Molinaro (R-NY) introduced bipartisan legislation to make the transition from high school to college easier for students with disabilities by making the support services they need more accessible and affordable.
The Respond, Innovate, Support, and Empower (RISE) Act will allow college students to use a variety of existing documentation as proof of a disability when seeking accommodations on campus, saving students and families money and simplifying access to accommodations. Students are currently required to obtain expensive and redundant evaluations before higher education institutions grant access to special education services.
"Students with disabilities face many barriers to earning a degree or credential after high school, even without the additional burden of unnecessary paperwork and fees," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Senior Member of the Education and the Workforce Committee's Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. "Congress can help students with disabilities as they transition to higher education by making college support services more accessible— services for which these students already have a documented need. The RISE Act will reduce expensive and unnecessary requirements that students with disabilities face when entering college, increasing the likelihood that students with disabilities are able to complete higher education."
“As a father of a child with a learning disability, I understand the hurdles students must often overcome in order to receive necessary accommodations in higher education, said Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. “All too often, Hoosier students are hampered by redundant requirements that stand in the way of accessing these accommodations. Through the RISE Act, we are working to streamline this process by cutting red tape and increasing transparency for Hoosier students so institutions of higher learning can better support their students.”
“Everyone, no matter their ability, should have access to higher education and the opportunity for a better life,” said Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. “But far too often, people with disabilities struggle to access the services and accommodations they need to succeed in college. The RISE Act will address the challenges these students face by ensuring information on disability services is readily available for parents and students and by removing barriers to accessing these accommodations.”
“The transition from high school to higher education is already stressful enough for students with learning disabilities, without requiring them to waste time and money getting documentation proving their already documented, lifelong learning disability,” said Rep. Courtney. “The RISE Act is an important step to removing barriers for these students by allowing them to continue to use previous documentation of a disability when they go to college. With the changes made by this legislation, students will be able to immediately receive the special education or accommodations that they need to overcome their learning disability so that they are able to hit the ground running when classes begin.”
“I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan RISE Act with my colleagues to ease paperwork burdens on college students,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. “Going to college can be a stressful time, especially for students with disabilities. This legislation will allow high school diagnoses and treatment plans to transfer to the college level, decreasing unnecessary paperwork and ensuring a seamless transition to college. There should be no gap in support for students, so they have every opportunity to succeed.”
“The bipartisan RISE Act eliminates hurdles and expenses that students with disabilities face when seeking reasonable accommodations in college,” said Congressman Marcus Molinaro. “Every student, regardless of ability, should have the tools and support they need to succeed.”
“There are unnecessary barriers for a student with a learning disability to receive accommodations in postsecondary education. Obtaining a new evaluation to re-prove an existing disability is expensive, time-consuming, and stigmatizing for young adults,” said Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO, National Center for Learning Disabilities. “The RISE Act is such an important legislative solution to removing these barriers, and we commend Congresswoman Bonamici and other Congressional leaders for their leadership.”
Under the RISE Act, qualifying documentation would include a 504 plan, individualized education program (IEP), or an accommodation plan from another higher education institution, all of which could potentially save students and families thousands of dollars. The legislation also requires colleges and universities to inform students, families, and faculty about available accommodations for students with disabilities.
The legislation authorizes an additional $10 million in funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities. This technical assistance center provides essential information to students and families about their rights and responsibilities in higher education and how to access accommodations, and it helps colleges adopt best practices for supporting students with disabilities. The RISE Act requires colleges to improve reporting on academic outcomes for students with disabilities.
The legislation is supported by: National Center for Learning Disabilities, The Advocacy Institute, All4Ed, AHEAD, AIM Institute for Learning and Research, American Association of People with Disabilities, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, The Arc of the United States, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, CASE (Council of Administrators of Special Education), CAST, Center for Learner Equity, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination, Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Education Taskforce, Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Learning Disabilities, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Decoding Dyslexia Network, Education Reform Now, The Education Trust, Eye to Eye, Higher Education Consortium for Special Education, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Institute for Higher Education Policy, Japanese American Citizens League, Learning Disabilities Association of America, The Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Dauphin County, PA, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Association of School Psychologist, National Center for Parent Leadership, Advocacy, and Community Empowerment (National PLACE), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Disability Rights Network, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Down Syndrome Society, National Education Association, National Urban League, The Parents' Place of MD, PAVE, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), RespectAbility, SchoolHouse Connection, Show and Tell, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Teach for America, Teach Plus, University of California Student Association, and UnidosUS.
Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the Senate companion to the RISE Act.
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