A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Improving Access to Higher Education Act" aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase accessibility and completion rates for postsecondary students, particularly those with disabilities. The bill establishes several grant programs to support faculty development, implement accessible distance learning, and create inclusive programs for students with intellectual disabilities. It mandates the creation of an Office of Accessibility at institutions of higher education to support these students through policies and documentation standards. Additionally, the act establishes an independent Commission to develop guidelines for accessible electronic instructional materials and related technologies. A National Technical Assistance Center and a National Coordinating Center will also be created to provide expertise, resources, and data collection for inclusive education.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +10
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill provides significant new supports, resources, and mandates to ensure academic success and inclusion for students with disabilities.
- Scored +10
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill significantly enhances rights through mandated accessibility offices, inclusive higher education programs, and standardized instructional guidelines.
- Scored +7
Would students be better off under this?
The bill improves educational access and completion potential through new assistance programs and accessibility standards.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Faculty and Staff Support: The bill provides competitive grants for professional development to help faculty, staff, and administrators implement effective teaching methods and accommodations for students with disabilities (Sec. 101(a)(2)).
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Enhanced Career Guidance: Grants can be used to provide career pathway guidance, including support for internships, apprenticeships, and developing self-advocacy skills for the workplace (Sec. 101(a)(2)(B)(E)).
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Standardized Accessibility Offices: The mandate for institutions to establish an Office of Accessibility ensures students have a dedicated resource to learn about services, accommodations, and their legal rights (Sec. 102).
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Streamlined Disability Verification: The bill allows for various forms of documentation, such as IEPs or Section 504 plans, to be used to establish disability status, which can simplify the process for students (Sec. 102(a)(4)(A)).
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Inclusive Programs for Intellectual Disabilities: Grants are authorized to create or expand comprehensive transition and postsecondary education programs specifically for students with intellectual disabilities (Sec. 104(a)).
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Improved Instructional Materials: An independent Commission will develop guidelines to ensure electronic instructional materials and technologies are accessible, helping students receive the same educational benefits as those without disabilities (Sec. 103(a)).
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National Resource Access: The creation of a National Technical Assistance Center will provide students, families, and institutions with research-based supports and a database of disability support services (Sec. 105(a)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Requirements for Institutions: Institutions receiving grants for inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities must provide matching funds of at least 25 percent of the costs (Sec. 104(e)).
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Administrative and Data Burdens: Institutions are required to submit specific data regarding students with disabilities to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (Sec. 201), and grant recipients must participate in regular data collection and reporting (Sec. 104(d)(3)).
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Mandatory Program Elements: Institutions seeking specific grants must adhere to various requirements, such as integrating students with intellectual disabilities into campus housing (Sec. 104(c)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides significant new supports, resources, and mandates to ensure academic success and inclusion for students with disabilities. Would students be better off under this? — The bill improves educational access and completion potential through new assistance programs and accessibility standards. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill benefits young adults entering postsecondary education by providing better support for those with disabilities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill significantly enhances rights through mandated accessibility offices, inclusive higher education programs, and standardized instructional guidelines.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill improves the value and accessibility of postsecondary education through specialized grants and support services.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates public reporting on grant performance and accessibility guidelines. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight of higher education through new reporting requirements and a federal Commission.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates that Offices of Accessibility provide accommodations for students with mental health disabilities.
- 9/1/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.