Greetings!
Exciting news! We have finally secured Higher Education Laws that will provide Access to Higher Education for People with Down syndrome, Autism, and other ID! As a community, we have successfully advocated, supported, and shown relentless determination in our efforts to provide inclusive education for our loved ones. WE did it!
The MDSC would like to extend a HUGE thanks to Governor Charlie Baker for his enduring dedication to and unwavering support of the MDSC community. To MA State Legislature leaders including; the Joint Committee on Higher Education; the House Ways & Means Committee (specifically, chairs Aaron Michlewitz and Ann-Margaret Ferrante); the Senate Ways & Means Committee (specifically, chairs Michael Rodrigues and Cynthia Friedman); and other House and Senate leaders, specifically, Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Ron Mariano, Rep. Sean Garballey, Sen. Joan Lovely, Jeremy Spittle, and so many more - we thank you for making this happen. Your tireless efforts and continuing support of Higher Education laws and funding for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI) have been invaluable.
We would also like to thank Julia Landau and her colleagues at MA Advocates for Children for their relentless efforts working with the MDSC over the past decade. Jane Lane, MDSC's legislative consultant, for her legislative knowledge and expertise throughout this process. And we thank MDSC's Government Affairs Committee who are the driving force behind MDSC's public policy initiatives.
Finally, we extend our sincerest gratitude to YOU - our dedicated members who have demonstrated fierce dedication in our long-term effort to prove once and for all that education is truly a right, not a privilege. THANK YOU to all who sent messages to their legislators, advocated on behalf of our loved ones with Ds and other ID/DD, testified during hearings (especially our self-advocates whose voices were heard) and followed along on our decade-long effort to prove the importance of inclusion inside (and outside) the classroom.
This is a HUGE step for our community; these laws will change the future of education for our loved ones.
This law includes provisions that remove barriers precluding persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Autism from participating in state colleges and universities. Individuals with ID and autism who cannot pass MCAS and who do not obtain a regular high school diploma can participate as non-matriculating students in courses with their peers and participate in extracurricular activities and other aspects of campus life, with supports and services necessary to facilitate inclusion.
The law also ensures state colleges and universities establish guidelines governing selection of individuals with ID and Autism as well as course selection. Supports and services to facilitate inclusion can be provided by the local school district, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Department of Developmental Services, or private funding. The law also codifies the MAICEI grant program and allows the special education IEP Team to consider higher education as an option for students with disabilities
The future of higher education is NOW inclusive!
