,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aagf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #aa1 #bjai ,mr4 ,casey 7for himself and ,mr4 ,brown7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife to promote the matriculation1 and increase in the graduation rates1 of individuals with disabilities within higher education4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,expanding ,disability ,access to ,higher ,education ,act4 #b4 ,findings and purposes 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,students who are low income attend institutions of higher education at a rate significantly lower than middle- and high-income students4 7#b7 ,similarly1 students who are first-generation college students or are from minority backgrounds attend institutions of higher education at lower rates than the general public4 7#c7 ,many students who are low income1 first generation1 or minorities also have a disability4 7#d7 ,in the last decade1 both high school and postsecondary graduation rates for students with disabilities were significantly lower than for students without disabilities4 7#e7 ,in #bjae1 approximately #fe percent of the total population of adults #be to #cd years old had completed some postsecondary education compared with approximately #dd percent of adults with disabilities in the same age range4 7#f7 ,for students with disabilities who do attend an institution of higher education1 only half will receive a diploma compared to #gb percent of students without disabilities4 7#g7 ,many researchers cite lack of support1 such as in-class accommodations1 accessible housing1 and accessible technology1 as a significant challenge as students with disabilities transition from high school to postsecondary education4 7#h7 ,as with their peers without disabilities who are first-generation students or come from low-income backgrounds1 students who are first-generation or low-income students with disabilities who receive mentoring and support services can successfully prepare for1 enroll in1 and graduate from postsecondary education programs and gain greater economic control of their lives4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that individuals with disabilities1 particularly those who are low income or first generation1 should be able to attend institutions of higher education at the same rate as their peers in the general population4 7c7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are the following3 7#a7 ,to provide first-generation or low-income students with disabilities with information1 support1 and resources to matriculate and complete a course of study at an institution of higher education4 7#b7 ,to encourage and support first-generation or low-income students with disabilities to achieve postsecondary credentials that benefit them and their communities both socially and economically4 7#c7 ,to increase the number of faculty with disabilities in institutions of higher education4 7#d7 ,to provide programs authorized under chapter #a of subpart #b of part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa7 with the resources necessary to support first-generation or low-income students with disabilities to prepare for1 enroll in1 and graduate from institutions of higher education4 #c4 ,preparing and supporting students with disabilities for postsecondary education ,section #djb;,a of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#d77;,a71 by striking 1 and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders 7including ,native ,hawaiians71 and inserting 1 ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders 7including ,native ,hawaiians71 and individuals with a disability 7as defined in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb7712 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7i7 ,preparing and supporting students with disabilities for postsecondary education 7#a7 ,funds for ,federal ,,trio programs 7,a7 ,in general 7i7 ,authorization ,the ,secretary shall award funds under this paragraph1 on a competitive basis1 to an eligible entity that applies for a grant or contract for a program under this chapter 7except section #djb;,e7 and also applies for such funds under this paragraph in order to serve eligible students1 as described in clause 7ii74 ,the period for such award of funds under this paragraph shall be the same period for the associated grant or contract for a program under this chapter 7except section #djb;,e7 7referred to in this paragraph as the associated program74 7ii7 ,eligible students ,an eligible student is described in this clause if the student-- 7,i7 is eligible to receive assistance under a program authorized under this chapter 7except section #djb;,e72 and 7,,ii7 has an individualized education program1 as defined in section #fjb of the ,individuals with ,disabilities ,education ,act1 is covered under section #ejd of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gid71 or has other documentation establishing the student's disability 7as such term is defined in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb771 such as-- 7aa7 a sensory disability2 7bb7 a physical disability2 7cc7 a mental disability2 or 7dd7 a self-care disability4 7,b7 ,application 7i7 ,in general ,except as provided in clause 7ii71 an applicant for a grant or contract for a program under this chapter 7except section #djb;,e7 that desires to receive funds under this paragraph shall submit an application for such funds to the ,secretary at the same time such applicant submits an application for the grant or contract for a program under this chapter 7except section #djb;,e7 7referred to in this paragraph as the associated application74 7ii7 ,application mid-cycle ,an applicant that desires to receive funds under this paragraph that1 at the time such applicant desires to apply for such funds1 has a grant or contract for a program under this chapter 7except section #djb;,e7 that is in existence may submit an application for such funds to the ,secretary independent of an associated application4 7iii7 ,content of application ,an application for funds under this paragraph shall include the following3 7,i7 ,a description of any programs being carried out under this chapter by the applicant on the date of the application1 including the number of existing students served4 7,,ii7 ,the number of eligible students proposed to be served with funds received under this paragraph4 7,,iii7 ,the cost of serving such students proposed to be served1 including a description of expenditures4 7,,iv7 ,an explanation of how funds received under this paragraph will be used for such students4 7,v7 ,an explanation of how such students proposed to be served will be identified and enrolled4 7,c7 ,awarding of funds 7i7 ,priority ,in awarding funds under this paragraph1 the ,secretary shall give priority to applicants that-- 7,i7 have established programs funded under this chapter2 and 7,,ii7 describe how eligible students proposed to be served will be included in the established associated program4 7ii7 ,amount ,the ,secretary shall award funds under this paragraph to an applicant in an amount that maximizes the number of eligible students served in a manner that meets such students' needs for successful programmatic outcomes4 7iii7 ,distribution ,the ,secretary shall award funds under this paragraph-- 7,i7 to not less than #aj percent of all the eligible entities that1 on the date of enactment of the ,expanding ,disability ,access to ,higher ,education ,act1 have a grant or contract awarded under this chapter 7except section #djb;,e72 and 7,,ii7 across-- 7aa7 geographic regions2 and 7bb7 sizes of programs4 7iv7 ,requirements ,in awarding funds under this paragraph1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,i7 require an assurance that-- 7aa7 in the case in which the associated program is under section #djb;,b1 not less than two-thirds of the eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students2 7bb7 in the case in which the associated program is under section #djb;,c-- 7,,aa7 not less than two-thirds of the eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students2 and 7,,bb7 the remaining eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph be low-income individuals or first-generation college students2 7cc7 in the case in which the associated program is under section #djb;,d-- 7,,aa7 not less than two-thirds of the eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students2 and 7,,bb7 the remaining eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph be low-income individuals or first-generation college students2 and 7dd7 in the case in which the associated program is under section #djb;,f-- 7,,aa7 not less than two-thirds of the eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students2 and 7,,bb7 the eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph are at least nineteen years of age1 unless the imposition of such limitation with respect to any person would defeat the purposes of this paragraph2 7,,ii7 require an assurance that such eligible students who are served do not have access to services from another program funded under this chapter2 7,,iii7 require an assurance that the program funded under this paragraph and the associated program will-- 7aa7 be accessible to the eligible students proposed to be served by the program2 7bb7 serve all students1 including eligible students2 7cc7 incorporate universal design for learning2 and 7dd7 ensure that accommodations are provided as needed for eligible students and address how the program plans to enroll such students2 7,,iv7 require the program funded under this paragraph-- 7aa7 to comply with all program requirements of the associated program2 and 7bb7 to include educational assistance as determined necessary for eligible students to transition to postsecondary education1 such as-- 7,,aa7 academic and social supports2 7,,bb7 student advising and family engagement2 7,,cc7 college search and application processes2 7,,dd7 financial planning2 and 7,,ee7 targeted learning programs2 7,v7 require an assurance that the applicant will serve a number of eligible students with the funds under this paragraph that is not less than the number determined under subparagraph 7,d72 and 7,,vi7 require an assurance that-- 7aa7 the funds under this paragraph and funds provided under the associated program will be used to incorporate eligible students into the associated program2 and 7bb7 such eligible students have access to all the program services of the associated program1 as well as any additional services they require to be full participants in the associated program4 7,d7 ,number of eligible students to be served 7i7 ,in general ,an applicant that receives funds under this paragraph shall use such funds to serve eligible students who are in addition to the students served through the associated program4 7ii7 ,number of students to be served ,the number of eligible students to be served with funds under this paragraph shall be the number that maximizes the number of eligible students served in a manner that meets such students' needs for successful programmatic outcomes4 7#b7 ,postbaccalaureate achievement program 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award funds under this paragraph1 on a competitive basis1 to an eligible entity that applies for assistance for a project under section #djb;,e and also applies for such funds under this paragraph in order to serve eligible students1 as described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,eligible students ,an eligible student is described in this subparagraph if the student-- 7i7 is eligible to receive assistance under a project assisted under section #djb;,e2 7ii7 has an individualized education program1 as defined in section #fjb of the ,individuals with ,disabilities ,education ,act1 is covered under section #ejd of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gid71 or has other documentation establishing the student's disability 7as such term is defined in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb771 such as-- 7,i7 a sensory disability2 7,,ii7 a physical disability2 7,,iii7 a mental disability2 or 7,,iv7 a self-care disability2 and 7iii7 is registered as full time in six or more credits4 7,c7 ,application 7i7 ,in general ,except as provided in clause 7ii71 an applicant for assistance for a project under section #djb;,e that desires to receive funds under this paragraph shall submit an application for such funds to the ,secretary at the same time such applicant submits an application under section #djb;,e 7referred to in this paragraph as the associated application74 7ii7 ,application mid-cycle ,an applicant that desires to receive funds under this paragraph that1 at the time such applicant desires to apply for such funds1 is receiving assistance for a project under section #djb;,e may submit an application for such funds to the ,secretary independent of an associated application4 7iii7 ,content of application ,an application for funds under this paragraph shall-- 7,i7 describe identification1 recruitment1 and implementation strategies as well as programmatic elements specifically for eligible students2 and 7,,ii7 indicate whether this is a new project or will fund a project existing on the date of the application4 7,d7 ,awarding of funds 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award funds under this paragraph to an applicant in an amount that maximizes the number of eligible students served in a manner that meets such students' needs for successful programmatic outcomes4 7ii7 ,requirements ,in awarding funds under this paragraph1 the ,secretary shall require an assurance that-- 7,i7 not less than two-thirds of the eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students2 and 7,,ii7 the remaining eligible students who are served with the funds under this paragraph be from a group that is underrepresented in graduate education1 including-- 7aa7 ,alaska ,natives1 as defined in section #fcjf of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife2 7bb7 ,native ,hawaiians1 as defined in section #fbjg of such ,act2 and 7cc7 ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders1 as defined in section #cbj4 7,e7 ,number of eligible students to be served 7i7 ,in general ,an applicant that receives funds under this paragraph shall use such funds to serve eligible students who are in addition to the students served through the associated program4 7ii7 ,number of students to be served ,the number of eligible students to be served with funds under this paragraph shall be the number that maximizes the number of eligible students served in a manner that meets such students' needs for successful programmatic outcomes4 7#c7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds awarded under this subsection shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 other funds available to carry out the activities described in this subsection4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 4 #d4 ,staff development activities ,subpart #a of part ,d of title ,,vii of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aadj;a et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #gfa1 by striking model demonstration2 and 7#b7 in section #gfb-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b77#b7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting and application after ,the development2 and 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by inserting and application after ,the development2 and 7,b7 by striking subsection 7d7 and inserting the following3 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,initial report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,expanding ,disability ,access to ,higher ,education ,act1 the ,secretary shall prepare and submit to the authorizing committees1 and make available to the public1 a report on all projects awarded grants under this part for any of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbf1 including a review of the activities and program performance of such projects based on existing information as of the date of the report4 7#b7 ,subsequent report ,not later than #c years after the date of the first award of a grant under this subpart after the date of enactment of the ,expanding ,disability ,access to ,higher ,education ,act1 the ,secretary shall prepare and submit to the authorizing committees1 and make available to the public1 a report that-- 7,a7 reviews the activities and program performance of the projects authorized under this subpart2 and 7,b7 provides guidance and recommendations on how effective projects can be replicated4 4 #e4 ,offices of training1 technical assistance1 and accommodations grant program 7a7 ,authorization of grant program ,the ,secretary of ,education shall award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to institutions of higher education to enable the institutions to establish an ,office of ,accessibility at the institution4 7b7 ,duration and amount ,a grant under this section shall be #e years in duration and in an amount equal to not less than #cj1jjj and not more than #hj1jjj for each year4 7c7 ,application ,an institution of higher education that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including an explanation of how the institution will sustain the ,office of ,accessibility after the grant period ends4 7d7 ,awarding of grants 7#a7 ,preference ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give preference to-- 7,a7 #b-year institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7772 and 7,b7 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja77 that intend to hire individuals with disabilities as staff at the ,office of ,accessibility4 7#b7 ,diversity ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure geographic1 institutional1 and urban or rural award distribution diversity4 7e7 ,use of funds ,an institution of higher education that receives a grant under this section shall establish an ,office of ,accessibility at the institution1 which ,office-- 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 serve as a site for confidential requests for accommodations for faculty members with disabilities2 7,b7 include an accommodations officer who has demonstrated expertise in addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities and who is trained to serve1 and provide outreach to1 faculty members with disabilities1 staff with disabilities1 and students with disabilities2 and 7,c7 provide training and technical assistance for faculty and staff on rights and accommodations for individuals with disabilities1 including protecting the civil rights of individuals with disabilities on campus and in classrooms2 and 7#b7 may-- 7,a7 develop professional development activities for faculty and staff about rights and accommodations for individuals with disabilities2 7,b7 create a website1 that is accessible to individuals with disabilities1 to serve as a clearinghouse of information for individuals with disabilities2 and 7,c7 carry out other activities that the institution determines appropriate4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj and each of the #d succeeding fiscal years4 #f4 ,data collection and reporting 7a7 ,data collection and reporting 7#a7 ,outcome criteria ,section #djb;,a7f7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa7;f77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,disaggregation of relevant data 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the outcome criteria under this subsection shall be disaggregated by low-income students1 first-generation college students1 individuals with disabilities 7including for each of the categories described in items 7aa7 through 7dd7 of subsection 7i77#a77;,a77ii77,,ii771 gender1 race and ethnicity1 language status1 and delayed enrollment in postsecondary education after high school1 in the schools and institutions of higher education served by the program to be evaluated4 7,b7 ,exception ,disaggregation under subparagraph 7,a7 shall not be required in a case in which the number of students in a category is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student4 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,c77iii71 by inserting 7and1 if the entity received funds under subsection 7i71 to a total number of eligible students as described in such subsection7 after students12 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,d77i71 by inserting 7and1 if the entity received funds under subsection 7i71 to a total number of eligible students as described in such subsection7 after program12 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,f7 ,for-- 7i7 programs authorized under this chapter for which funds are awarded under subsection 7i71 the number of eligible students 7as defined in subsection 7i77#b77;,a77ii77 served with such funds2 and 7ii7 each of subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,e71 the extent to which the programs described in each of such subparagraphs served individuals with disabilities 7as defined in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb774 4 7#b7 ,reports ,section #djb;,h of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ah7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7i7 in the subsection heading1 by striking to the authorizing committees2 7ii7 in paragraph 7#a77;,e71 by inserting 7including for each of the categories of such students described in items 7aa7 through 7dd7 of section #djb;,a7i77#a77;,a77ii77,,ii77 after disabilities2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,annual report 7,a7 ,in general ,each entity that receives a grant or contract under this chapter shall submit an annual report to the ,secretary on activities assisted and students served under the program funded under this chapter1 including information on-- 7i7 student persistence in the program2 7ii7 student enrollment in challenging courses2 7iii7 graduation rates2 7iv7 postsecondary enrollment rates2 7v7 the types of services and supports provided to enrolled students2 and 7vi7 any other information requested by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,disaggregation 7i7 ,in general ,except as provided in clause 7ii71 the information provided under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be disaggregated by low-income student status1 first-generation college student status1 disability status 7including for each of the categories described in items 7aa7 through 7dd7 of section #djb;,a7i77#a77;,a77ii77,,ii771 gender1 race and ethnicity1 language status1 and delayed enrollment in postsecondary education after high school4 7ii7 ,exception ,disaggregation under clause 7i7 shall not be required in a case in which the number of students in a category is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student4 2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b77#b77;,a77i71 by striking and first-generation college students and inserting 1 first-generation college students1 and students with disabilities4 7#c7 ,,gear ,,up ,section #djd;,g of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#bg7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,data collection and reporting 7#a7 ,in general ,each eligible entity receiving a grant under this chapter shall submit an annual report to the ,secretary on activities assisted and students served under the program funded under this chapter1 including information on-- 7,a7 student persistence in the program2 7,b7 student enrollment in challenging courses2 7,c7 graduation rates2 7,d7 postsecondary enrollment rates2 7,e7 the types of services and supports provided to enrolled students2 and 7,f7 any other information requested by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,disaggregation and availability 7,a7 ,in general ,information contained in the annual report described in paragraph 7#a7 shall be-- 7i7 except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 disaggregated by low-income student status1 first-generation college student status1 disability status 7including for each of the categories described in items 7aa7 through 7dd7 of section #djb;,a7i77#a77;,a77ii77,,ii771 gender1 race and ethnicity1 language status1 and delayed enrollment in postsecondary education after high school2 7ii7 cross-tabulated2 and 7iii7 made publicly available without personally identifiable information4 7,b7 ,exception ,disaggregation under subparagraph 7,a77i7 shall not be required in a case in which the number of students in a category is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student4 7#c7 ,public availability ,the ,secretary shall make such report publicly available online4 4 7b7 ,,gao report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall begin a review that examines-- 7,a7 what is known about the population of students with disabilities1 including by subcategories of disability1 who attend institutions of higher education2 7,b7 how students with disabilities are identified and supported by the ,department of ,education and grantee agencies through all ,federal ,,trio programs under chapter #a of subpart #b of part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa et seq471 including-- 7i7 any information related to whether and how students disclose if they have a disability2 7ii7 what1 if any1 transition services are provided to students with disabilities between high school and postsecondary education2 and 7iii7 how such ,federal ,,trio programs work with other campus and non-campus based services that support students with disabilities2 and 7,c7 what information is reported by the ,department of ,education about services for students with disabilities through such ,federal ,,trio programs4 7#b7 ,report ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the review conducted under paragraph 7#a74