Feds Aim To Help College Students With Disabilities
Federal officials are looking to add new resources to support students with disabilities pursuing higher education.
The U.S. Department of Education said it plans to fund a new National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students With Disabilities.
This center would “provide technical assistance and information on best and promising practices for students with disabilities as they transition to or attend postsecondary education,” the Education Department said in a notice published in the Federal Register announcing the funding availability.
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Under federal law, colleges and universities are prohibited from discriminating against students with disabilities, but their obligations are far less comprehensive than the requirements for elementary and secondary schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The objective of the new center would be to help those with disabilities and their families understand the different rights and protections afforded them under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act as they consider and pursue postsecondary educational opportunities, the Education Department said.
What’s more, the center would also be tasked with supporting colleges and universities in fulfilling their obligations to accommodate students with disabilities, according to the federal notice.
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