Bicameral legislation introduced in Congress on Tuesday would make it easier for students with learning disabilities to transition into postsecondary education by eliminating the need for new testing to re-qualify for special services.
The Respond, Innovate, Support, and Empower (RISE) Act would amend the Higher Education Act (HEA) to allow students to use documentation of disabilities from K-12 education to prove that they have a disability when they enter higher education and access special education services.
U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) introduced the bill with bipartisan support, and 18 educational organizations have voiced their approval for the measure.
“Students with disabilities deserve every opportunity to succeed,” Hatch said. “We can lend a helping hand by removing the obstacles that keep these students from realizing their full academic potential. Over the course of my Senate service, I have long sought to champion the rights of those with disabilities. In that spirit, I authored the Americans with Disabilities Act that fundamentally changed the way we treat disability accommodations. The RISE Act upholds this legacy by eliminating barriers for students with disabilities so they can reach their educational goals.”
Under the RISE Act, a student could submit documentation from a 504 plan or an individualized education program to verify that they have a disability when he or she enters postsecondary education, making it easier for people with dyslexia and other learning disabilities to receive the support they need.
“Dyslexics can be as successful as any other student if receiving the curriculum that addresses their learning needs,” Cassidy said. “We must remove barriers and give the appropriate support.”
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 11 percent of undergraduate students reported having a disability.
The RISE Act also calls for increased funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities, which provides information to students and their families and determines best practices to support students with disabilities in higher education.
“For students with disabilities, the transition from high school to college can be difficult and overwhelming,” Bucshon said. “The RISE Act is an important step forward to ease this transition by making accommodations more accessible for students who need them and equipping families with the right resources. By removing the roadblocks in their way, we can help ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity to rise to their full potential.”