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Home / Programs & Resources / TATRA / News / The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 Addresses Needs of Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Technical Assistance on Transition and the Rehabilitation Act

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 Addresses Needs of Students with Intellectual Disabilities

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.was signed by President Bush on August 14. The reauthorized Higher Education Act sets federal higher education policy for at least the next five years. Included in the Act are several provisions which expand postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.

“The new post-secondary education provisions will make post-secondary education more available and affordable for thousands of students with Down syndrome and other disabilities”, stated Steve Riggio of the National Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors. The National Down Syndrome Society led a successful effort to expand post-secondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, and to add the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

Summary of provisions for students with intellectual disabilities

• Allows students with intellectual disabilities, who are attending programs designed for them in higher education, to be eligible for the first time for Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and the Federal Work-Study Program.
• Authorizes the development and expansion of high-quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and post-secondary programs.
• Authorizes the establishment of a coordinating center for the new model programs. This center will provide technical assistance, evaluation, and development of recommendations for model accreditation standards as well as outreach and dissemination to postsecondary programs, families and prospective students.

Ensure equal college opportunities for students with disabilities

• Establishes a national center to provide support services and best practices for colleges, students with disabilities, and their families.
• Helps colleges recruit, retain, and graduate students with disabilities and improves education materials and facilities.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

The Higher Education Opportunity Act also contains numerous provisions regarding the preparation of educators in early childhood, elementary, secondary and postsecondary education settings to use the principles of UDL in their instructional practices.

Read a summary of changes made to The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) pertaining to improving postsecondary education opportunities for students with disabilities.

To read a summary of changes made in 2008 to other sections of the Act, go to http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/GEN0812FP0810AttachHEOADCL.pdf

The full text of the law can be found online at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ315.110.pdf

For more information on the Department of Education’s implementation of the HEOA, go to the Department’s HEOA website.