<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Nexa W01 Bold";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
h1
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char";
margin-top:15.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:7.5pt;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:27.0pt;
font-family:"Nexa W01 Bold",serif;
font-weight:normal;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.Heading1Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1";
font-family:"Nexa W01 Bold",serif;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">07.12.17</span></strong><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"><a href="http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/democrats-unveil-legislation-to-expand-access-to-higher-ed-for-students-with-disabilities-">http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/democrats-unveil-legislation-to-expand-access-to-higher-ed-for-students-with-disabilities-</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="mso-margin-top-alt:47.25pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:22.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span lang="EN" style="color:#333333">Democrats Unveil Legislation to Expand Access to Higher Ed for Students With Disabilities
<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">WASHINGTON – </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">TODAY,
Representative Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) joined Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03), Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Ranking Member Susan Davis (CA-53), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05), and Representatives James Langevin (RI-02)
and Jared Huffman (CA-02) to introduce the <i><a href="http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/download/07/12/2017/improving-access-to-higher-education-act">Improving Access to Higher Education Act</a>.
</i>This bill would amend the <i>Higher Education Act</i> (HEA) to improve college access and completion for students with disabilities. This legislation is part of House Democrats’ <a href="http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/aim-higher">#AimHigher</a> initiative.
Democrats want every American to have access to a meaningful degree that costs less money and leads to a good-paying job.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">“This first of its kind legislation, takes a comprehensive approach to providing students and institutions
with improved training, greater resources, and expanded services—bringing us one step closer to ensuring all Americans have the opportunity to earn a degree, find a job, and achieve the American Dream,”
</span></i><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">said Rep. DeSaulnier.</span></b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> “I am honored to join Ranking Member
Scott and my colleagues in spearheading this important effort.”</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">The<i>
<a href="http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/download/07/12/2017/improving-access-to-higher-education-act">
Improving Access to Higher Education Act</a></i> is the first-ever comprehensive legislation that specifically addresses the needs of students with disabilities in higher education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">“<i>Since the passing of the
</i>Americans With Disabilities Act<i> (ADA), and the </i>Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
<i>(IDEA) – federal law has been clear that individuals with disabilities must have equitable access to education,”
</i><b>said Ranking Member Scott.</b><i> “Thanks to the IDEA and the ADA, we have more students with disabilities graduating from high school than ever before. Students in K-12 receive accommodations and individualized supports to help them access the curriculum
and receive a meaningful educational benefit, but those accommodations are not guaranteed in higher education. This bill will ensure the HEA is living up to the promise of the ADA and allowing all students to have equal access to higher education so they can
fully participate in society.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">In 2005, just
<a href="http://www.ccrscenter.org/sites/default/files/Improving%20College%20and%20Career%20Readiness%20for%20Students%20with%20Disabilities.pdf" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window">
46 percent</a> of students with disabilities who graduated from high school enrolled in postsecondary education, with only 40 percent of those students going on to finish a degree or receive a work certificate within eight years. For students with disabilities
who enroll in a four year institution, odds of completing a degree fall to just 34 percent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">“Students with disabilities already face tremendous challenges inside and outside of the classroom,
but gaining access to a quality postsecondary education shouldn’t be one of them,”</span></i><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> Rep. Langevin said.
</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">“<i>This bill will provide students with disabilities greater educational opportunities in preparation for a bright future</i>
<i>in the workforce. The doors to higher education should be open for all students, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in leading a bill that will foster more inclusive curricula and learning environments.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">“Every student has the right to a quality education,”
</span></i><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">said Rep. Huffman</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">.<i> “For students with disabilities in college,
a quality education means providing an environment that fosters academic growth and gives them the individualized tools that they need to succeed. Unfortunately, college administrators and faculty face many challenges in providing these essential accommodations
and instructional supports. The </i>Improving Access to Higher Education Act<i> will help level the playing field for students with disabilities, allowing every student to access the education and skills needed to live a meaningful and independent life.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, a longtime advocate for Americans with disabilities, was a co-lead on the
bill.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">“I thank Reps. DeSaulnier, Scott, Langevin, and Huffman for introducing the
</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">Improving Access to Higher Education Act<i> to make higher education more accessible for students with differing abilities,”</i>
<b>said Whip Hoyer</b>. “<i>As the lead House sponsor of the </i>Americans with Disabilities Act<i>, I am strongly committed to ensuring that all of our people can live up to their full potential. This bill will help more of our students do so by addressing
affordability, accessibility, and completion of higher education degrees that will prepare them for well-paying jobs and opportunities.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">Organizations supporting the
<i>Improving Access to Higher Education Act</i></span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">: Teacher Education Division of CEC, Association of University Centers on Disability, American Foundation for the
Blind, Higher Education Consortium for Special Education, National Council for Learning Disabilities, National Down Syndrome Congress, The Arc, National Association of State Directors of Special Education, National Association of Councils on Developmental
Disabilities, Council of Parent Attorney and Advocates, Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst, National Disability Rights Network, Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination, The Advocacy Institute<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><b><u><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"><a href="http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/download/07/12/2017/improving-access-to-higher-education-act">BILL
TEXT: </a></span></u></b><u><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"><a href="http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/download/07/12/2017/improving-access-to-higher-education-act"><i>Improving Access to Higher Education
Act</i></a></span></u><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"><a href="http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/download/improving-access-to-higher-education-act"><b>FACT
SHEET: </b><i>Improving Access to Higher Education Act</i></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;line-height:22.5pt"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"><a href="http://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Bill%20Summary%20-%20Improving%20Access%20to%20Higher%20Ed%20Act.pdf"><b>SECTION-BY-SECTION:
</b><i>Improving Access to Higher Education Act</i></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:22.5pt;text-align:center;line-height:22.5pt">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">L. Scott Lissner, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">The Ohio State University Office of Compliance & Institutional Integrity<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">ADA Coordinator & 504 Compliance Officer,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Associate, John Glenn School of Public Policy, Lecturer Disability Studies, Knowlton School of Architecture & Moritz College of Law<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> Chair, Public Policy Committee & Past President, Association on Higher Education & Disability<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> Advisory Board, National Clearinghouse for College Students with Disabilities<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> Board of Directors, Center for Disability Empowerment<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> Board of Directors, VSA Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> Advisory Board, Access Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><a href="tel:(614)%20292-6207"><span style="color:blue">(614) 292-6207</span></a>(v); <a href="tel:(614)%20688-8605"><span style="color:blue">(614) 688-8605</span></a>(tty) <a href="tel:(614)%20688-3665"><span style="color:blue">(614)
688-3665</span></a>(fax); <a href="http://ada.osu.edu/"><span style="color:blue">Http://ada.osu.edu</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">21 East 11<sup>th</sup> Ave, Columbus Ohio, 43210<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>