SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1030
WHEREAS, Postsecondary education offers numerous
opportunities and benefits for young people, including those
with intellectual disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Education is a key determinant for the future
success of students with intellectual disabilities, much as it is
for the general population; research studies have found that
persons with disabilities who attend college are significantly
more likely to obtain competitive employment with higher wages,
live with less support, and play an active role in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, College can foster academic as well as personal
growth by allowing students to explore new interests, pursue
goals, and form friendships, and the experience of studying
alongside peers without disabilities can have a positive effect
on self-esteem; moreover, postsecondary education can provide a
healthy challenge to students with intellectual disabilities
that segregated school programs do not, and maintaining high
expectations for these students is vital to their success; and
WHEREAS, A range of federal laws and initiatives exists to
help persons with intellectual disabilities seamlessly
transition into places of higher learning and to encourage the
establishment of inclusive programs; from 2002 to 2010, the
number of college programs open to students with intellectual
disabilities increased from four to more than 250, according to
the Administration on Developmental Disabilities; even so, too
few people with intellectual disabilities advance to
postsecondary education, in part because programs that
accommodate them do not exist within their communities; and
WHEREAS, Regardless of ability, all students stand to gain
from the rigor, resources, and advantages afforded by a quality
postsecondary education, and its increased accessibility is
indeed an endeavor worthy of support; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby recognize the importance of postsecondary
education for persons with intellectual disabilities in
attaining a secure and rewarding livelihood.
Zaffirini
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 23, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate