The Arc of Texas Supports Report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Verbal Testimony on SB 769

Chair Creighton, and members of the committee.

My name is Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, and I am the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for The Arc of Texas. I am testifying today in support of SB 769, a bill that is essential for improving access to and success in higher education for students with disabilities in our state. In addition to my role at The Arc, I also serve as a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Advisory Council on Postsecondary Education for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This advisory council, established in 2020, is tasked with developing recommendations to address barriers to higher education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Let me begin by stating the obvious: Postsecondary education opens doors to job opportunities, economic stability, and personal growth. Our state has set bold goals to increase postsecondary attainment, as outlined in the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s ambitious 60×30 plan. To reach these goals, it is imperative that we invest in and acknowledge the one in four adults in our state with disabilities.

The percentage of college students with disabilities has nearly doubled in the past two decades, with as many as 21% reporting a disability nationwide in 2020, which is a tremendous success. The enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act has made campuses more accessible for students with physical disabilities, and inclusive transition programs now provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the job training and life skills they need for success.

While we’ve made progress in expanding opportunities for students with disabilities across the spectrum, significant gaps still remain. These advancements have created more pathways to higher education, but there is still a lack of accurate data on enrollment success, retention, and graduation rates for students with disabilities. Unlike in K-12 education, students in postsecondary programs must self-disclose their disability status in order to receive accommodations. While the Higher Education Coordinating Board collects some data, inconsistencies across institutions raise concerns about its accuracy.

SB 769 will provide lawmakers with a clear understanding of the higher education landscape, enabling more informed policies that support college access and success for students with disabilities. The bill directs the Higher Education Coordinating Board to report on key factors such as enrollment barriers, institutional policies, accommodations, and the accuracy of information students receive about their rights under state and federal law. By collecting and analyzing this data, Texas will be able to identify areas for improvement, guide policy decisions, and expand best practices across institutions to enhance accessibility and student success.