Susan Senator

I am on a Task Force headed up by State Rep Tom Sannicandro and Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria, President of Bridgewater State University. The Task Force is having four hearings (the first of which was today, sorry to be late with this announcement), in different parts of Massachusetts, to hear testimony from the public about the need for and matters pertaining to the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in Massachusetts state colleges and community colleges. Here is a press release to explain in-depth and for all upcoming hearings:

Higher Education Task Force Focuses on Including Students with Disabilities

Higher Ed administrators and disability advocates prepare to tour state for public input

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            Contact:

October 8th, 2013                                                                                           Ross Richmond (617) 722-2013

(October 8—STATEHOUSE) Rep. Tom Sannicandro (D-Ashland) announced Tuesday the formation of a Task Force on College Inclusion for Students with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. The Task Force will solicit feedback and comments from the public, including administrators, teachers, students, parents, and others about expanding opportunities for students with disabilities to be educated alongside non-disabled peers in colleges and universities. It has set dates for four public meetings to take place across the state

In the end, the Task Force will release a report on its findings, as well as legislative recommendations.

“Bringing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities into our colleges and universities is the next step in the goal of universal inclusion of this population in our society,” Rep. Sannicandro, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, said. “We have come far in terms of how we include people with disabilities in our community and we are saying today that the Commonwealth is ready to do more in higher education.”

“If a student has a desire and drive to attain a college degree, no obstacle should be in their way to achieving their dreams,” Senator Moore (D-Millbury) said. “Studies have shown inclusive higher education settings create better outcomes for Intellectual/Developmentally Disabled student, including increased employment opportunities and fewer supports needed later in life. The Commonwealth must continue to ensure that a college education remains accessible, regardless of a disability. We look forward to hearing ideas from people across the state to inform our recommendations to the legislature to better include students with disabilities in our higher education institutions.”

Inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education has many benefits including professional development and employment.

Two years ago, Congress authorized funding for the formation of a program called Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSIDs) to create inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities in higher education. In just two years, 792 students enrolled in 42 participating colleges. Of those enrolled, 236 held jobs, 82 percent of which paid at or above the minimum wage. Prior to the TPSID program, 45 percent of those students had never held a paying job.

Many students who did not have access to TPSID instead participated in segregated work environments, often at sub-minimum wage, and rely more heavily on public assistance.

The Task Force seeks to expand inclusive college opportunities, allowing students to reach their full academic and employment potential.

The Task Force is made up of 15 members:

Legislators include: Rep. Tom Sannicandro, Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, Sen. Michael Moore, Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, Rep. Kim Ferguson, Member of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Higher education administrators and professionals include: Kumble Subbaswamy, Chancellor of University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dana Mohler-Faria, President of Bridgewater State University, Charles Desmond, Chair of the Board of Higher Ed, Richard Doherty, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), Michael Stein, Executive Director at Harvard Law School Project on Disability, Debra Hart, Education Coordinator at the Institute for Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts Boston.

Department of Disabilities Services includes: Commissioner Elin Howe.

Disability advocates include: James Brett, President and CEO of the New England Council and Chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability, Julia Landau, Senior Project Director at Mass Advocates for Children, Susan Senator, Disability Author and Director of Outreach at the Community College Consortium for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities, Deborah Smith-Pressley, CEO and Founder of Garrett-Pressley Autism Resource Center.

Student representation includes: Brian Heffernan, Student at MassBay Community College.

Dates of the public hearings:

Friday, November 1^st, 10:30-12:30AM, Bridgewater State University, 66 Hooper St., Burnell 132A, Bridgewater, MA 02325

Friday, November 8^th, 12-2PM, Harvard University, Harvard Law School Project on Disability, Austin Hall 304, Cambridge, MA 02138

Friday, November 15^th, 3-5PM, Quinsigamond Community College, 670 W. Boylston St., HLC Building, Room 109A&B, Worcester, MA 01606

Friday, November 22^th, 9-11AM, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Lincoln Campus Center, 1 Campus Center Way, Room 163C, Amherst, MA 0100