Sen. Gounardes in the Albany Times-Union: To Ensure the Promise of Higher Education, We Must Invest in Students With Disabilities

Higher education offers the promise of professional growth and personal transformation. But for far too many students with disabilities, it remains a promise unfulfilled.

One of every four New Yorkers has some type of disability. Yet nearly 35 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, many still face significant barriers to accessing a successful college education. From inadequate accommodations to a lack of understanding about their unique needs, students with disabilities must navigate obstacles that make it unnecessarily difficult for them to achieve their full potential.

As a state lawmaker representing thousands of students and a faculty member at one of CUNY’s open-admission institutions, we have personally witnessed the negative impact that underfunding can have on students with disabilities in the classroom and beyond. Unfortunately, numerous studies have made clear that these experiences are not unique.

We know firsthand how important it is to invest in services and staff supports that ensure students with disabilities can succeed. We also know what works: From devices that help students communicate to college prep programs and specialized development for staff, there are proven tools and strategies we can employ to make sure the college experience works for all students. 

Take, for example, the UbiDuo, a face-to-face communication device for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Students can use these devices to communicate during tutoring sessions or financial aid meetings, in the classroom, and anywhere else an ASL interpreter is unavailable. This technology can turn struggle into success – but many students can’t afford these devices or don’t even know they exist.

The lack of equitable support is not just a problem in New York. Students with disabilities are underrepresented in higher education across the country, and those who do enroll often face significant challenges completing their degrees. For many such students, higher education is not just about personal fulfillment and career success; it’s also about breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes and creating a more just, equitable society. 

This visibility is especially important to the estimated two-thirds of students with disabilities who don’t disclose their disability once they enter college. Students with disabilities are also more likely to enroll in two-year institutions like community colleges, which often suffer the most from underfunding and have struggled with dropping enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic. These institutions in particular would benefit from additional support to meet students' needs.

In recent years, New York has allocated between $2 million and $4 million in funding for services that help students with disabilities achieve college success. This funding has been crucial, but it’s not enough. The state’s own Education Department has previously estimated we need $15 million to fully fund services and ensure the nearly 95,000 students with disabilities currently pursuing college degrees in New York have what they need to succeed.

Here in New York City, the CUNY system is also seeking $4.7 million from Albany to meet students’ needs by hiring staff like skilled assistive technology specialists, campus coordinators and clinical staff for adaptive sports programs.