RISE Act

The RISE Act aims to significantly improve support and information access for students with disabilities in higher education by amending the Higher Education Act of 1965. It mandates that colleges adopt policies to accept a wider array of documentation, such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans , to establish a student's disability status. Institutions must also ensure transparent policies for accommodation eligibility and disseminate this vital information to students, parents, and faculty in accessible formats, including during orientation and on public websites. To further enhance resources, the bill authorizes $10,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities . Additionally, it requires institutions to submit key data to federal systems like IPEDS , detailing the number of students registered with disability services, those accessing accommodations, and the academic achievements of these students, while safeguarding personally identifiable information.