Disability accommodations for college students in Minnesota vary significantly from one institution to the next: the level of support each student receives depends upon where the student is enrolled. However, the patchwork of disability accommodation policies across the state will change if a new bill passes in the Minnesota state legislature. 

The new legislation, titled “Minnesota's Reaching, Including, Supporting, and Engaging (RISE) Act,” was proposed by Minnesota State Representative Jessica Hanson and is currently working its way through the state's legislative process. If the RISE Act passes, this legislation will replace Minnesota's existing law that merely requires that every public postsecondary institution have a policy in place regarding educating students with disabilities.  

All college students with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities, and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team protects those rights. If your family is facing challenges receiving disability accommodations for your college student, reach out to us online, or call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686. 

Minnesota's RISE Act Supports Equal Access To Educational Opportunities 

The RISE Act underscores the importance of inclusive practices in higher education. The Act is designed to ensure that all college students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities and continued support throughout their college journey. The RISE Act requires colleges and universities to offer comprehensive support services, such as academic advising and assistive technology, to help students with disabilities succeed academically and transition to the workforce. The RISE Act also emphasizes creating an inclusive campus environment where college students with disabilities feel welcome and supported. 

Under the RISE Act, college students may submit their prior Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan as proof of their disability—they would not be required to undergo a reassessment to demonstrate the presence of a permanent disability. College students who are denied disability accommodations by the institution would be permitted to withdraw from a course without incurring any academic or financial repercussions. 

If Minnesota's RISE Act passes, it represents a significant step forward in ensuring that all college students, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to succeed in higher education. 

Disability Accommodation Policies For College Students Must Be Enforced 

Even though a college or university may have a policy in place for educating students with disabilities, those policies are not always followed, nor do they always meet the needs of the student. Even the evaluation process itself can be challenging, and in some cases, a student is denied a disability accommodation. In all of these situations, the Lento Law Firm can help. Our Education Law Team has extensive experience working with families across the country concerning disability rights for students. Contact us online and tell us about your case, or call our team at 888-535-3686.