WHEREAS, California Community Colleges currently lack dedicated disability studies courses that count toward the ethnic studies graduation requirement, denying students the opportunity to engage with and understand the critical issues surrounding disability rights, accessibility, and inclusion as part of their academic curriculum;
WHEREAS, According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 20.5% of undergraduate students nationally report having a disability, yet only 4.6% of California Community College students were served by Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) during the 2022–23 academic year, illustrating significant gaps in identification, support, and services for disabled students at the community college level;
WHEREAS, Vision 2030, the California Community Colleges' strategic plan, emphasizes the importance of equity in success, access, and support, aiming to create an inclusive educational environment that addresses the diverse needs of all students, including those with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Advocating for disability studies courses aligns with the Student Senate's commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and educational equity across all student populations, including those with disabilities; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work with the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability (CAPED), and the Chancellor’s office to advocate for the establishment of disability studies classes at California community colleges.
Citations:
[1] U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. “Students with Disabilities.” Fast Facts, 2020, https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=60. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
[2]California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) Data: Annual Unduplicated Count, 2022–2023, Statewide. California Community Colleges Data Mart, https://datamart.cccco.edu. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.