HR 4643 — Improving Access to Higher Education Act of 2019

Summary

Improving Access to Higher Education Act of 2019 This bill addresses accessibility issues of students with disabilities in higher education. Specifically, the bill revises a grant program that supports postsecondary institutions of higher education (IHE) in educating students with disabilities. The Department of Education must award at least five grants to an IHE that provides professional development and technical assistance in order to improve access to and completion of postsecondary education for students, including students with disabilities. The bill also (1) revises and reauthorizes through FY2024 a program for national technical assistance centers that assist students with disabilities, and (2) reauthorizes through FY2024 a program to promote training and job placement of real-time writers to provide closed captioning of videos. Further, the bill establishes a new program that awards grants to IHEs for certain activities that improve accessibility of instruction and materials, such as distance education courses. The bill also establishes an independent commission to develop guidelines for accessible postsecondary electronic instructional materials and related technologies. In addition, the bill requires each IHE to establish an office of accessibility to develop and implement policies that support students with disabilities.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html October 11, 2019

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies existing grant provisions to enhance accessibility in higher education for students with disabilities, including a change in the number of required grants and the duration of grant awards.

• 20 U.S.C. 1140b

  Not less than two grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or a combination of such awards shall be awarded to institutions of higher education that provide professional development and technical assistance in order for students with learning disabilities to receive a quality postsecondary education. → Not less than 5 grants shall be awarded to institutions of higher education that provide professional development and technical assistance in order to improve access to, and completion of, postsecondary education for students, including students with disabilities.

  Increases the minimum number of grants awarded for professional development and technical assistance from two to five.

• 20 U.S.C. 1140b

  A grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subpart shall be awarded for a period of three years. → A grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of 5 years.

  Extends the duration of grants from three years to five years.

• 20 U.S.C. 1140b

  to provide postsecondary faculty, staff, and administrators with the skills and supports necessary to teach and meet the academic and programmatic needs of students with disabilities, in order to improve the retention of such students in, and the completion by such students of, postsecondary education. → to provide postsecondary faculty, staff, and administrators with the skills and supports necessary to teach and meet the academic and programmatic needs of students (including students with disabilities) in order to improve the retention of such students in, and the completion by such students of, postsecondary education.

  Broadens the language to explicitly include all students, not just those with disabilities, in training for faculty and staff.

• 20 U.S.C. 1140b

  Such methods and strategies may include in-service training, professional development, customized and general technical assistance, workshops, summer institutes, distance learning, and training in the use of assistive and educational technology. → Such methods and strategies may include in-service training, professional development, customized and general technical assistance, workshops, summer institutes, distance learning, and training in the use of assistive and educational technology.

  No change; this text is retained verbatim from current law.

• 20 U.S.C. 1140c

  a description of how the institution consulted with a broad range of people within the institution to develop activities for which assistance is sought; → a description of how the institution consulted with a broad range of people, including individuals with expertise in disability supports or special education, within the institution to develop activities for which assistance is sought;

  Adds a requirement to include individuals with expertise in disability supports or special education in the consultation process.

• 20 U.S.C. 1140c

  a description of how the institution will coordinate and collaborate with the office that provides services to students with disabilities within the institution; → a description of how the institution will coordinate and collaborate with the office of accessibility;

  Changes the reference from the office that provides services to students with disabilities to the office of accessibility.

Action History

1. October 11, 2019

   Introduced in House

2. October 11, 2019

   Introduced in House

3. October 11, 2019

   Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Sponsors

• Jared Huffman · Cosponsor
• James R. Langevin · Cosponsor
• Ro Khanna · Cosponsor
• Josh Harder · Cosponsor
• Ayanna Pressley · Cosponsor
• Mark DeSaulnier · Primary

Subjects