Amendment to Higher Education Act Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, March 30 /PRNewswire/ — An amendment introduced by Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) to HR 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005, will allow students with intellectual disabilities to obtain valuable, paid work experience in college work study jobs while pursuing postsecondary studies.

The amendment, which passed on a voice vote on March 29, is a real breakthrough for the growing number of students with intellectual disabilities who participate in postsecondary programs at two and four-year colleges and universities. HR 609 is the bill that will reauthorize the Higher Education Act.

In introducing the amendment, Rep. Sessions stated, “My goal is to help make it possible for these students to achieve their higher education goals and attain gainful employment,” Sessions continued. “Greater productivity through employment will provide students with intellectual disabilities opportunities for greater self-sufficiency, more independence, and the ability to save for retirement and long term care.” Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and Rep. George Miller (D-CA), ranking Democrat on the Committee, both spoke in favor of the amendment. The amendment passed with strong bipartisan support.

Students with intellectual disabilities (mental retardation) have made significant progress under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Today, over 100 postsecondary programs are available (http://www.thinkcollege.net/ ), offering students academic, independent living and vocational education and training, but lacking access to financial aid. This amendment will help these students pay for their postsecondary expenses, obtain valuable employment experience, and prepare them for gainful employment in the community. Federal work-study funds to these students would be dispersed from current work-study resources and implemented at the discretion of higher education institutions.

“As a result of IDEA, students with intellectual disabilities have made great strides. The outcome they want — the finish line, if you will — is employment and independent living. This amendment will help these students reach the finish line,” said Madeleine Will, Vice President of Public Policy for the National Down Syndrome Society. “We are deeply grateful to Congressman Pete Sessions for his leadership, and to Congressmen McKeon and Miller for their support.”

Due to provisions in the Higher Education Act, students with intellectual disabilities and their families usually are not able to access federal student financial aid (loans, grants, or work study). While school districts sometimes provide financial support, the largest source of funds is the students’ parents, who are already stretched thin financially. The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) celebrates the success of Congressman Sessions’s amendment to the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005. NDSS strongly believes that students with intellectual disabilities should have access to postsecondary education, and the resulting employment and independent living opportunities, just as their non-disabled peers do.

About NDSS:

The National Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit organization with more than 200 affiliates nationwide representing the more than 350,000 Americans who have this genetic condition. NDSS is committed to being the national leader in supporting and enhancing the quality of life, and realizing the potential of all people with Down syndrome. We demonstrate this commitment through our education, research and advocacy initiatives that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. To learn more about NDSS, visit http://www.ndss.org/ .

Website: http://www.ndss.org/
Website: http://www.thinkcollege.net/