New Regulations Aim to Improve Post-secondary Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

BOSTON — The Board of Higher Education (BHE) unanimously approved the Healey-Driscoll administration’s proposed state regulations aimed at improving inclusive access to post-secondary educational opportunities for students with severe disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, severe autism spectrum disorder, and severe developmental disabilities.

The approved regulations position public higher-education institutions to offer inclusive post-secondary experiences to eligible individuals ages 18 and older with severe disabilities through a comprehensive model of services called Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education Initiative (MAIPSE).

The regulations further seek to strengthen partnerships with state health and human-services agencies that support individuals with disabilities; define expectations for the development of collaborative, individual student-centered participation plans; and also set forth reporting requirements for campuses.

“Students of all abilities deserve opportunities to continue their education after high school,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “I’m proud that Massachusetts is opening doors for more students to have life-changing higher-education experiences, and I’m grateful to the experts and advocates who were dedicated to setting students up for success through these regulations.”

The final MAIPSE regulations follow a public comment period that launched on Jan. 31, and were also informed by a report from a 21-member task force co-chaired by the departments of Higher Education and Developmental Services. The task force included individuals representing public higher-education institutions, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, MassAbility and other state agencies serving adults with disabilities, representatives from K-12 school districts, and several advocacy groups. The legislatively mandated task force evaluated needs related to student housing, transportation, socialization, costs, and funding.

“Our public institutions of higher education allow students to grow as individuals, professionals, and learners, and I’m proud to give more students access to those benefits,” Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega said. “I’m grateful to those whose dedication led to regulations that the board could fully endorse, and I want to particularly thank the public campuses whose commitment to offering more inclusive experiences has helped us arrive at greatly expanded access.”