NCLD Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan RISE Act, Urges House to Act

Legislation would reduce barriers to accommodations and improve access to higher education for students with disabilities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 10, 2026 – The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) applauds the U.S. Senate’s passage of the bipartisan Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act (S. 3589) on November 9, marking a significant step toward improving access to higher education for students with learning disabilities and other disabilities.

Students with disabilities often arrive at college with years of documentation from their K–12 education, only to find that they may need additional testing to qualify for accommodations. The RISE Act would let students use existing documentation, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans, when requesting accommodations, rather than paying for new evaluations.

“A student’s disability doesn’t change when they graduate from high school, so why should they have to prove it all over again? That’s the problem the RISE Act addresses.” said Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO, NCLD. “Families shouldn’t have to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on new evaluations. The RISE Act would help put an end to that unnecessary burden. After more than a decade of advocacy, we’re pleased to see the Senate pass this legislation. The House needs to act next.”

The legislation would also require colleges and universities to provide clearer information about their disability services and accommodations, so students know what is available before they enroll.

NCLD has advocated for the RISE Act for more than a decade as part of its commitment to improving postsecondary access and opportunities for students with learning disabilities. The Senate’s passage follows the legislation’s unanimous advancement through the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in July.

NCLD calls on the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the RISE Act and send it to President Trump for his signature to help ensure that students with disabilities have equitable access to higher education and the supports they need to succeed.