SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. supported a new law to require public institutions to provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities if they meet transparent eligibility requirements.

“We must work to destigmatize disabilities in society until every person is seen as equal,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “By ensuring higher education students have better access to necessary accommodations, we are tackling these all-too-common inequalities.”

Currently, federal law only protects students with disabilities seeking public higher education from being discriminated against based on their disability and does not outline the need for reasonable academic accommodations past high school. Senate Bill 99 establishes a process for students with disabilities to receive reasonable accommodations from public universities and colleges.

The measure defines the types of documents that universities must accept as proof of a disability in order for a student to receive the accommodations, including diagnostic testing or other recent documents. From this information, colleges and universities will be required to provide reasonable accommodations that they deem to be appropriate for the student requesting the services. This will ensure that students will receive the supports they need to thrive in higher education.

Additionally, public universities will also be required to adopt transparent policies regarding disability services available and to share the information with students and families so that prospective students with disabilities can make informed decisions about the quality of accessibility services a university can provide them. All of these statutes will help students with disabilities be better supported when pursuing higher education.

“Students should not be faced with barriers when accessing the accommodations they need,” said Sims. “All students matter – disability or not – and should be treated fairly.”