Published: 08-01-08
Expands Higher Education Aid for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Washington DC – U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) today applauded final House passage of the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137) which includes expanded access to higher education for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Pending final approval in the Senate this landmark legislation will be sent to President Bush to be signed into law.
“As the parent of an individual with Down Syndrome I have worked to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to resources and opportunities to develop self-reliance and life skills enabling them to achieve their potential and to contribute to our communities” Sessions stated.
H.R. 4137 includes legislative language authored by Congressman Sessions in 2006 to grant students with intellectual disabilities access to federal work study funds for enrollment in comprehensive post-secondary education programs. Additionally the legislation builds on his efforts by also providing individuals with intellectual disabilities access to Pell Grants and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants.
“Currently the education opportunities for most individuals with intellectual disabilities end with secondary school” said Sessions. “Unfortunately most remain unemployed and completely dependent.”
“Making federal student aid available to students with intellectual disabilities will provide them the opportunity to access post-secondary education programs that improve students’ academic and personal skills independence and employability” continued Sessions. “Greater productivity through employment will provide individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities for greater self-sufficiency more independence and the ability to save for retirement and long term care.”
In addition to student financial aid access the College Opportunity and Affordability Act establishes a model education demonstration for a comprehensive transition and post-secondary program for students with intellectual disabilities. By awarding competitive grants to higher education institutions the development of this model demonstration will establish important first steps for the creation and expansion of additional transition and post-secondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities across our nation.
To ensure the integrity and success of these ground-breaking programs for students with intellectual disabilities the bill also authorizes a coordinating center that can provide technical assistance evaluation and recommendations for the development of accreditation standards.
“The establishment of these vital programs will represent a historic victory for individuals with intellectual disabilities. By unlocking previously-closed doors to educational opportunities individuals with intellectual disabilities across our nation can be empowered to learn develop and achieve to the best of their abilities” Sessions concluded.
