More Post-Secondary Students than Ever have Disabilities

From the GAO (10/28/09):

Higher Education and Disability: Education Needs a Coordinated Approach to Improve Its Assistance to Schools in Supporting Students

Research suggests that more students with disabilities are pursuing higher education than in years past, and recent legislative changes, such as those in the Higher Education Opportunity Act and Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, have the potential to increase the number and diversity of this population. GAO was asked to examine (1) what is known about the population of postsecondary students with disabilities; (2) how postsecondary schools are supporting students with disabilities; (3) what challenges, if any, schools face in supporting these students; and (4) how the Department of Education is assisting schools in supporting these students. To conduct this work, GAO analyzed federal survey and some state data; conducted site visits; interviewed agency officials, disability experts, school officials, and students; and reviewed laws, regulations, and literature.

Students with disabilities represented nearly 11 percent of all postsecondary students in 2008, according to a federal survey. Moreover, this population appears to have grown, based on selected federal and state data...School officials told GAO they need more guidance and information about serving students with disabilities.

GAO Recommendation:
To improve access to quality higher education for students with disabilities, the Secretary of Education should develop and implement a coordinated approach to optimize agency resources and knowledge in providing technical assistance to institutions of higher education in supporting students with disabilities. For example, Education could develop a plan for routinely and systematically sharing information related to supporting postsecondary students with disabilities.

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Comments

[Kim]

Kudos to Contra Costa College's Disabled Students Office for the many ways it has helped this disabled re-entry Mom return to the workforce. Here's something most campuses need to think about more, however: Students with hidden disabilities. Some of us walk fine, but have problems lugging heavy books or even opening some doors when the electronic buttons don't work. I think emerging technologies such as Kindle could really help.