Demonstration Projects to Ensure Students With Disabilities Receive a Quality Higher Education

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PART D--DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO ENSURE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVE A QUALITY HIGHER EDUCATION

SEC. 761. PURPOSES.

It is the purpose of this part to support model demonstration projects to provide technical assistance or professional development for faculty and administrators in institutions of higher education in order to provide students with disabilities a quality postsecondary education.

SEC. 762. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

(a) COMPETITIVE GRANTS AUTHORIZED- The Secretary may award grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education, of which at least two such grants shall be awarded to institutions that provide professional development and technical assistance in order for students with learning disabilities to receive a quality postsecondary education.

(b) DURATION; ACTIVITIES-

(1) DURATION- Grants under this part shall be awarded for a period of 3 years.

(2) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES- Grants under this part shall be used to carry out one or more of the following activities:

(A) TEACHING METHODS AND STRATEGIES- The development of innovative, effective, and efficient teaching methods and strategies to provide faculty and administrators with the skills and supports necessary to teach students with disabilities. Such methods and strategies may include inservice training, professional development, customized and general technical assistance, workshops, summer institutes, distance learning, and training in the use of assistive and educational technology.

(B) SYNTHESIZING RESEARCH AND INFORMATION- Synthesizing research and other information related to the provision of postsecondary educational services to students with disabilities.

(C) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING SESSIONS- Conducting professional development and training sessions for faculty and administrators from other institutions of higher education to enable the faculty and administrators to meet the postsecondary educational needs of students with disabilities.

(3) MANDATORY EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION- Grants under this part shall be used for evaluation, and dissemination to other institutions of higher education, of the information obtained through the activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).

(c) CONSIDERATIONS IN MAKING AWARDS- In awarding grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this section, the Secretary shall consider the following:

(1) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION- Providing an equitable geographic distribution of such grants.

(2) RURAL AND URBAN AREAS- Distributing such grants to urban and rural areas.

(3) RANGE AND TYPE OF INSTITUTION- Ensuring that the activities to be assisted are developed for a range of types and sizes of institutions of higher education.

(4) PRIOR EXPERIENCE OR EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS- Institutions of higher education with demonstrated prior experience in, or exceptional programs for, meeting the postsecondary educational needs of students with disabilities.

SEC. 763. APPLICATIONS.

Each institution of higher education desiring to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this part shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. Each application shall include--

(1) a description of how such institution plans to address each of the activities required under this part;

(2) a description of how the institution consulted with a broad range of people within the institution to develop activities for which assistance is sought; and

(3) a description of how the institution will coordinate and collaborate with the office that provides services to students with disabilities within the institution.

SEC. 764. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this part shall be construed to impose any additional duty, obligation, or responsibility on an institution of higher education or on the institution's faculty, administrators, or staff than are required by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

SEC. 765. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated for this part $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the four succeeding fiscal years.

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Last Modified: 09/30/2014