Establishes the transitional pathway program for students in higher education with autism spectrum disorder

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic1

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Monica Martinez says this is needed

Historically, students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have experi- enced greater difficulty enrolling in and graduating from traditional colleges and universities. Unlike high school protocols involving Indi- vidual Education Plans (IEP's) with tailored individualized support, most college universities are not properly equipped to provide transi- tional support for students with ASD as they matriculate. While students with ASD can request accommodations pursuant to the Amer- ican Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as well as school policy for extended time on exams and deadlines, it is well known their needs far exceed the classroom. The process of transitioning from high school to college is difficult as is and as such this transi- tion is amplified for students with ASD hoping for an enriching and holistic education experience. The program outlined in this section includes several mechanisms to specifically support students with ASD academically and socially including the designation of low-stimulating areas on campus for students to build community and connect, requesting the accommodations they need, providing up-to-date materials on existing resources and prompt schools to review protocols and procedures for potential amendment. This legislation aims to bring awareness to the issue as many colleges and universities begin to address this gap and provide a foundational framework for implementation.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.