The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) is focusing on steps schools, colleges, and communities can take to support students with disabilities and students with mental health needs, especially the essential partnership between schools and families to ensure effective implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Thus , the USDE has released new resources for schools, colleges, and communities to promote mental health and the social and emotional well-being of children and students.

According to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The Department stands ready to help educators, school and program staff, and families thoughtfully design learning experiences—and to ensure students with disabilities continue to have equal access to in-person instruction.”

Resources on Website Accessibility

A new series of “how-to” videos on website accessibility covers topics including how people with disabilities use technology, applicable federal laws, and how to identify and remediate technological barriers that can interfere with the ability of parents and students with disabilities to participate in modern American education. OCR’s National Digital Accessibility Team has resolved over 1,000 digital accessibility cases since its formation just under three years ago, making educational institutions’ online programs, services, and activities more accessible to people with disabilities. The 20-part video series draws from that experience and was released in partnership with the ADA National Network.

Digital Accessibility Compliance Reviews

OCR will soon launch 100 new compliance reviews examining digital accessibility in elementary and secondary schools and districts, postsecondary institutions, state departments of education, libraries, and vocational rehabilitation services. Reviews will cover online learning, public-facing websites, and parent-resource and communications platforms to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Other Actions

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) included $3 billion to help states support infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Another $40 billion was provided to colleges through Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds to provide emergency aid to students and meet urgent public health needs related to the pandemic, including providing evidence-based mental health supports.

In addition, the USDE has taken a series of steps to uphold the rights of students with disabilities and support schools and institutions with providing mental health resources to students. These include:

• Strengthening and protecting the rights for students with disabilities by beginning the process to amend regulations implementing Section 504.
• Releasing new guidance to assist colleges in providing mental health supports for students, faculty, and staff.
• Publishing, Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health, a resource for schools, colleges and communities to promote mental health and the social and emotional well-being of children and students.
• Awarding $198 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support students’ basic needs and provided guidance on how colleges could use federal funds to bolster mental health counseling programs.
• Helping teachers, staff, and families thoughtfully design safe, in-person learning experiences for all students – including students with disabilities.