The RISE Act is a new education law that makes it easier for college students with disabilities to get the support they need. Right now, students often have to jump through hoops to prove they have a disability and qualify for accommodations like extra test time or note-taking assistance. This bill changes that by allowing students to use documents they already have—like the individualized education programs (IEPs) they may have used in high school—as proof of their disability. Colleges also have to be clear and transparent about how they decide who gets accommodations, so students understand the process instead of it being a mystery. Finally, colleges must report data about their students with disabilities to the federal government, which helps track whether schools are actually supporting these students effectively. Overall, the RISE Act removes barriers that students with disabilities face when trying to access the help they're entitled to in college.

RISE Act

Casey, Robert P., Jr.

Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act or the RISE Act This bill establishes&nbsp;requirements for institutions of higher education (IHEs) concerning students with disabilities. Specifically, the bill requires IHEs to allow students to use certain documents, such as individualized education programs, to&nbsp;establish their disabilities. In addition, IHEs must make the process for determining the eligibility for accommodations transparent. Finally,&nbsp;IHEs must submit key data related to their undergraduate students with disabilities for inclusion in federal postsecondary institution data collection efforts.