Mason Supports Expanding Higher Education and Career Services for Students with Disabilities

GURNEE, Ill. – High school students with disabilities would have greater access to critical college and career resources under legislation backed by state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee.

“After high school, life tends to become more challenging for young people as they start attending college or pursuing vocational certifications. This transition period can be even more difficult for students with disabilities who abruptly lose the team of dedicated teachers and staff who supported them throughout high school,” Mason said. “For these students especially, it’s important that they have access to college and career preparedness resources while they’re still in high school. These services can go a long way in helping students thrive after graduation.”

Mason is supporting House Bill 3950, a measure that would take several steps to strengthen college and career services offered to high school students with disabilities. The bill would require community colleges to offer their dual credit courses to local students with disabilities and to notify those students of available courses. It also calls for high schools to share information about career and technical education programs with students with disabilities and to allow them to enroll in those programs. House Bill 3950 passed out of the House with no opposition last month.

“This legislation would ensure students with disabilities have equal access to college and career planning services,” Mason said. “I’m proud to have helped pass this bill out of the House, and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to send this important measure to the governor’s desk as soon as possible.”