Spring 2024
WHEREAS, There are approximately 42.5 million Americans with disabilities, which includes people with hearing, vision, cognitive, walking, self-care, or independent living difficulties (PEW) and the Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures all children with disabilities have appropriate public education and services designed to meet their unique needs;
WHEREAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects college students from discrimination and Section 5 of ADA under purposes says “individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination, including outright intentional exclusion, the discriminatory effects of architectural, transportation, and communication barriers, overprotective rules and policies, failure to make modifications to existing facilities and practices, exclusionary qualification standards and criteria, segregation, and relegation to lesser services, programs, activities, benefits, jobs, or other opportunities;
WHEREAS, Students with disabilities are the most underrepresented group in the higher education system, experiencing barriers in accessibility and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, Disabled students are obligated to recruit their own personal attendants for toileting and other personal needs and if the student is unable to provide a personal attendant it may result in an “administrative health stop” for future enrollment; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community College uphold the student voice and encourage developing high quality support programs to assist the disabled community to enhance the student college experience; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community College collaborate with the Academic Senate for California Commnity Colleges and legislators to pursue legislation or policies modifications to implement widespread disability rights.
WHEREAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects college students from discrimination and Section 5 of ADA under purposes says “individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination, including outright intentional exclusion, the discriminatory effects of architectural, transportation, and communication barriers, overprotective rules and policies, failure to make modifications to existing facilities and practices, exclusionary qualification standards and criteria, segregation, and relegation to lesser services, programs, activities, benefits, jobs, or other opportunities;
WHEREAS, Students with disabilities are the most underrepresented group in the higher education system, experiencing barriers in accessibility and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, Disabled students are obligated to recruit their own personal attendants for toileting and other personal needs and if the student is unable to provide a personal attendant it may result in an “administrative health stop” for future enrollment; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community College uphold the student voice and encourage developing high quality support programs to assist the disabled community to enhance the student college experience; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community College collaborate with the Academic Senate for California Commnity Colleges and legislators to pursue legislation or policies modifications to implement widespread disability rights.
Status:
The SSCCC remains deeply committed to advancing disability inclusion and equity throughout the California Community College system, including the development of high-quality programs that serve students with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we have already met with Assemblymember Addis’ office to discuss the experiences of students supported by Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS). We will continue these important conversations in the fall.
While the SSCCC was unable to formally advance this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing priorities, we are actively exploring opportunities to incorporate its goals into our ongoing advocacy and programming efforts.