Washington, DC — Twenty-six percent of people in the U.S. reported having a disability in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National data also shows that people with disabilities are less likely to complete high school, achieve a college degree or higher, or find a job, leading to higher rates of poverty. Inclusive education is key to sustained financial independence. While most institutions of higher education have incorporated basic elements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in their policies and practices, higher education has failed to achieve full inclusion of students with disabilities.
The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) has published “Higher Education’s Next Great Challenge: Ensuring Full Inclusion for Students with Disabilities” which outlines the actions needed on campus to achieve full inclusion and support all students with disabilities.
“Inclusive education means the entire campus is thinking about and engaging students and faculty with disabilities. This requires leadership from the top levels—deans, provosts, department chairs, and Boards of Trustees,” notes Dahlia Shaewitz, IEL Vice President for Transition, Disability, and Employment.
The guide includes strategies for recruiting students with disabilities, providing accommodations as a student retention and inclusion approach, strengthening access and accessibility with technology, and going beyond compliance to promote disability-diversity and equity for all students.
A more diverse student and alumni population benefits the entire learning establishment while preparing all students for a future workforce that is fully inclusive. This new guide offers higher education leaders and their staff the information and strategies they need to improve successful participation of students with disabilities in higher education.
Learn more about the guide at: https://iel.org/higher-education-inclusion-guide