Students with Intellectual Disabilities May Be Eligible for

Students with Intellectual Disabilities May Be Eligible
 for Work Study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2006

    Students with Intellectual Disabilities One Step Closer
                  To College Work Study Jobs

         Amendment to the Higher Education Act Passed
             by the U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, DC - An amendment introduced by Congressman Pete 
Sessions (R-TX) to HR 609, the College Access and Opportunity 
Act of 2005, will allow students with intellectual disabilities 
to obtain valuable, paid work experience in college work study 
jobs while pursuing postsecondary studies. The amendment, which 
passed on a voice vote on March 29, is a real breakthrough for 
the growing number of students with intellectual disabilities 
who participate in postsecondary programs at two and four-year 
colleges and universities. HR 609 is the bill that will 
reauthorize the Higher Education Act.

In introducing the amendment, Rep. Sessions stated, "My goal is 
to help make it possible for these students to achieve their 
higher education goals and attain gainful employment," Sessions 
continued. "Greater productivity through employment will 
provide students with intellectual disabilities opportunities 
for greater self-sufficiency, more independence, and the 
ability to save for retirement and long term care." Rep. Howard 
"Buck" McKeon (R-CA), Chairman of the House Education and the 
Workforce Committee, and Rep. George Miller (D-CA), ranking 
Democrat on the Committee, both spoke in favor of the 
amendment. The amendment passed with strong bipartisan support.

Students with intellectual disabilities (mental retardation) 
have made significant progress under the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind 
Act (NCLB). Today, over 100 postsecondary programs are 
available (www.thinkcollege.net), offering students academic, 
independent living and vocational education and training, but 
lacking access to financial aid. This amendment will help these 
students pay for their postsecondary expenses, obtain valuable 
employment experience, and prepare them for gainful employment 
in the community. Federal work-study funds to these students 
would be dispersed from current work-study resources and 
implemented at the discretion of higher education institutions. 

"As a result of IDEA, students with intellectual disabilities 
have made great strides. The outcome they want--the finish 
line, if you will--is employment and independent living. This 
amendment will help these students reach the finish line," said 
Madeleine Will, Vice President of Public Policy for the 
National Down Syndrome Society. "We are deeply grateful to 
Congressman Pete Sessions for his leadership and to Congressmen 
McKeon and Miller for their support."

Due to provisions in the Higher Education Act, students with 
intellectual disabilities and their families usually are not 
able to access federal student financial aid (loans, grants, or 
work study). While school districts sometimes provide financial 
support, the largest source of funds is the students' parents, 
who are already stretched thin financially. The National Down 
Syndrome Society (NDSS) celebrates the success of Congressman 
Sessions's amendment to the College Access and Opportunity Act 
of 2005. NDSS strongly believes that students with intellectual 
disabilities should have access to postsecondary education, and 
the resulting employment and independent living opportunities, 
just as their non-disabled peers do.

About NDSS:

The National Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit organization 
with more than 200 affiliates nationwide representing the more 
than 350,000 Americans who have this genetic condition. NDSS is 
committed to being the national leader in supporting and 
enhancing the quality of life, and realizing the potential of 
all people with Down syndrome. We demonstrate this commitment 
through our education, research and advocacy initiatives that 
benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. To learn 
more about NDSS, visit www.ndss.org.

______________________________________________________________

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