Recommendations to New York State for strategies to increase access
7. Accreditation and Review
Discussion
Regional accrediting bodies, such as Middle States Association and the New York State Education Department, periodically review college and university programs and services. Given that formal mechanisms for review and accreditation often drive policy, practice and resource allocation on the campus, the issue of universal design and access should be included in such reviews. Although review and accreditation teams may sometimes include expertise on individuals with disabilities, there is not at this time any standard, consistent approach for accrediting bodies when it comes to assessing an institution of postsecondary education's accessibility.
Goal Seven
Accreditation and review bodies continue to develop and enhance standards, policies
and procedures for the comprehensive assessment of institutional effectiveness with regard to access to and diversity
of programs and services to students with disabilities.
Toward this end, the Task Force recommends the following strategies:
- The New York State Education Department ensures that its program review criteria and procedures continue to include expectations for institutional compliance with the concept of universal design and access to programs and services.