Congress weighs support for college students with disabilities - chooses to support corporations instead
autside.substack.com
Recently released data from the U.S. Department of Education found most college students do not receive special services from their school. This mirrors much of my time in higher ed, was the focus of my doctoral dissertation, and is a central premise of my latest book - No Place for Autism?
A measure announced Tuesday is meant to change that. A bipartisan RISE ACT claims to help end barriers and costs for students who have disabilities when they need access to support services whilst in college. The measure would require colleges to inform students, families and members of the faculty about available accommodations for students with disabilities.
As per usual in late stage capitalist countries, like the US, the bill’s money mostly goes to large moneyed interests as opposed to directly helping disabled students. For example, the bill includes $10 million in funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities, which says that it offers information to students and families about their rights. Mainly, it tells families and students that college is nothing like high school, and that students must fight every step to get the accommodations to which they are rightfully entitled.
“In particular, the Center can assist students with disabilities and their families in understanding that in institutions of higher education, students with disabilities do not have the same rights and protections they had in secondary school under section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., for eligible children with disabilities. Students with disabilities and their parents need to understand the differences in these rights and responsibilities as they enter college and pursue postsecondary education. Specifically, unlike students in secondary school, postsecondary students are responsible for requesting the academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and services, and other accommodations they need in order to succeed, and are expected to comply with reasonable requirements that an institution of higher education may have concerning documentation of disability and the need for accommodations under section 504 and the ADA.”
So, whilst the corporate media cheers this as a win for disabled college students, I’m a bit different. I don’t see how upping the funding for a quasi-public corporation, who’s task it is to tell you to suck it up, is a win.
Congress weighs support for college students with disabilities - chooses to support corporations instead
Congress weighs support for college students with disabilities - chooses to support corporations instead
Congress weighs support for college students with disabilities - chooses to support corporations instead
Recently released data from the U.S. Department of Education found most college students do not receive special services from their school. This mirrors much of my time in higher ed, was the focus of my doctoral dissertation, and is a central premise of my latest book - No Place for Autism?
A measure announced Tuesday is meant to change that. A bipartisan RISE ACT claims to help end barriers and costs for students who have disabilities when they need access to support services whilst in college. The measure would require colleges to inform students, families and members of the faculty about available accommodations for students with disabilities.
As per usual in late stage capitalist countries, like the US, the bill’s money mostly goes to large moneyed interests as opposed to directly helping disabled students. For example, the bill includes $10 million in funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities, which says that it offers information to students and families about their rights. Mainly, it tells families and students that college is nothing like high school, and that students must fight every step to get the accommodations to which they are rightfully entitled.
So, whilst the corporate media cheers this as a win for disabled college students, I’m a bit different. I don’t see how upping the funding for a quasi-public corporation, who’s task it is to tell you to suck it up, is a win.
What do you think?