H.R. 10203: Improving Access to Higher Education Act

The bill would expand support for college students with disabilities, with a particular focus on students with intellectual disabilities. It would create or strengthen programs that help colleges improve accessibility, train staff, and provide more inclusive services.

What the bill would do

• Provide funding for faculty and staff training so they are better prepared to work with students with disabilities.
• Support the creation or expansion of campus accessibility offices that help coordinate accommodations and accessibility services.
• Require or encourage the development of guidelines for accessible course materials, so students can more easily use textbooks, digital content, and other class resources.
• Support inclusive programs for students with intellectual disabilities, helping more of these students attend college in programs designed to meet their needs.
• Fund technical assistance and coordinating centers that would help colleges and programs share best practices and improve inclusive higher education.
• Provide grants for these efforts, with recipients required to contribute a 25% matching share of the grant amount.
• Require data collection and reporting so the government can track how these programs are working and who they serve.
• Include closed-captioning training to improve access to lectures and other spoken content.

Who would be affected

The bill is aimed at colleges and universities, especially those that serve or want to better serve students with disabilities. It would also affect students with disabilities, including students with intellectual disabilities, by increasing the number and quality of accessibility supports available on campus.

Additional details

The bill defines which students and programs are eligible for support, so the funding and services would be directed toward specific higher education programs designed to promote inclusion and access. It would also add a federal role in coordinating efforts across schools and collecting information about outcomes.

Relevant Companies

None found.