Recommendations to New York State for strategies to increase access
10. Conclusion
The agenda set forth in Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Disabilities: Recommendations to New York State for Strategies to Increase Access and Opportunity is an ambitious one, but its goals are clearly achievable. Since passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals with disabilities - and our society in general - have proven that the fullest possible enfranchisement of all who have the skill and ability to participate in society benefits all of us. With the release of this report, New York State will raise the issue of access for individuals with disabilities to postsecondary education to the leadership level. This is more than the right thing to do; it is also the necessary thing to do. New York must maximize the talent and energy of every segment of its population. It is time to ensure that full educational opportunity be extended to all New Yorkers, as New York continues to build its reputation as a state that understands the value of education and the necessity of equal access to education for all.
Obviously, going on to postsecondary education is not a realistic option for all individuals with disabilities any more than it is for all individuals without disabilities. But New York is missing an opportunity. With increasing numbers of students with disabilities graduating from high school, it is time to focus, in a comprehensive way, on ensuring that all those who wish to can continue their education. There is significant room for progress; it is time to forge ahead.