Disability in the HEOA:History and Significance

AHEAD/PEPNet Conference, July 2010Wendy S. Harbour, Ed.D. Syracuse University

Wendy Harbour, from Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University: Overview of HEOA and general disability-related provisions

Deb Hart from Think College at UMass-Boston: Background and context for students with intellectual disabilities in higher ed

Judy Shanley from U.S. DOE: Details about federal HEOA provisions related to students with intellectual disabilities

General Outline for Today

History of Higher Education Act

1965: Higher Education Act (PL 89-329) signed into law by LBJ

Designed to address critical needs: for lower and middle-income families and small, less-developed colleges

Included financial aid: grants, loans and other programs to help students get an education beyond secondary school 

Set up higher education as a federal interest: Federal funding to mobilize colleges in addressing national problems like poverty and community development

Technically reauthorized by Congress every six years (although last one was five years late)

Name change in 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)

HEOA programs and activities fall primarily into four main categories: ◦ Student financial aid◦ Services to help students complete high school, enter and

succeed in postsecondary education  ◦ Federal aid to institutions◦ Support to improve K-12 teacher training at postsecondary

institutions

Evolution of Higher Education Act

New and revised disability-related provisions in HEOA

Means disability in higher education is now a national and federal issue

Why We’re Here…

Requested by U.S. Representative George Miller (D-CA) (Chair of Committee on Education and Labor)

Published in October, 2009 (included in handouts):

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

Disability and HEOA: GAO Report

Students with disabilities are 11% of college students and growing

Colleges vary in accommodations and services, with some going beyond compliance

Range of challenges, including unidentified students, faculty, and emerging populations (e.g., vets and students with intellectual disabilities)

Lack of federal coordination: ◦ Office of Special Education and

Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and Office of Civil Rights (OCR) more prepared and helpful than Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), but none are coordinating efforts

GAO Report

Provisions to foster inclusion of students with

intellectual disabilities (e.g., Down Syndrome) and significant developmental disabilities (e.g., autism)

in higher education

(Stay tuned…)

Disability in HEOA

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

Disability in HEOA: College Navigator

Creates a definition of UDL in higher education, and applies it to K-12 teacher training programs, as well as curriculum development in higher education:

“The term “universal design for learning” means a scientifically valid framework for guiding education practice that –◦ (A) provides flexibility in the ways information is

presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and

◦ (B) reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all students including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient.

Disability in HEOA: UDL

Increased funding for TRIO

DOE programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities

Goal is to aid in access, retention, and graduation rates.

Disability in HEOA: TRIO Programs

Demonstration Projects to Ensure that Students with Disabilities Receive a Quality Higher Education

Commission on Accessible Materials

Model demonstration projects on topics like transition

National Technical Assistance Center

Disability in HEOA: Other Programs

Currently “on hold” -

but there is some hope!

Implications-A Student SpectrumStudents

participating on

campus(e.g. music

lessons, lectures, athletic events)

Students auditing classes –

usually through open

enrollment

Students are fully

matriculated – for credit and degree

Students auditing or taking classes through formal

programs on campus

(e.g., dual enrollment,

summer programs)

Students taking

classes for credit –

part-time and not in degree programs or other formal

programs

Standardized reporting of student demographics

Website development (including improved navigation to sites)

Increased federal funding for research and demonstration projects

Greater support for UDL initiatives

Influx of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities on all campuses

Implications for DS Providers

Contact Information

Dr. Wendy S. Harbour, Executive DirectorTaishoff Center for Inclusive Higher EducationSyracuse University101 Hoople Building, 805 South Crouse Ave.Syracuse, NY 13244315-443-1288 (Phone)/315-443-3289 (Fax)wharbour@syr.edu

Lyndon Johnson photo from www.lbjmuseum.com/virtualclassroom/speeches.htm

Some disability-related HEOA information from Disability Provisions in the Higher Education Opportunity Act : Webinar Hosted by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, September 11, 2008 Presented by Sharon Lewis, Sr. Disability Policy Advisor to Chairman George Miller, House Committee on Education and Labor

Map of USA from http://www.vacationusarentals.com/images/usa_map.gif

GAO logo from http://civiliancontractors.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/720px-us-governmentaccountabilityoffice-logo_svg.png

Image of man with Down Syndrome using computer from http://www.time4learning.com/images/nev%20smaller.jpg

TRIO Logo from http://www.csufresno.edu/studentaffairs/grapevine/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/eoc20trio_plain.jpg

Credits for photos with potential copyrights