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(e) AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED.—Section 744(c) (20 
U.S.C. 1138c(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(5) Establishment of academic programs in-
cluding graduate and undergraduate courses, semi-
nars and lectures, support of research, and develop-
ment of teaching materials for the purpose of sup-
porting faculty and academic programs that teach 
traditional American history (including significant 
constitutional, political, intellectual, economic, diplo-
matic, and foreign policy trends, issues, and docu-
ments; the history, nature, and development of 
democratic institutions of which American democ-
racy is a part; and significant events and individuals 
in the history of the United States). 
‘‘(6) Establishment of centers to incorporate 
education in quality and safety into the preparation 
of medical and nursing students, through grants to 
medical schools, nursing schools, and osteopathic 
schools. Such grants shall be used to assist in pro-
viding courses of instruction that specifically equip 
students to understand the causes and remedies for 
medical error, medically-induced patient injuries and 
complications, and other defects in medical care; en-
gage effectively in personal and systemic efforts to 
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continually reduce medical harm; and improve pa-
tient care and outcomes, as recommended by the In-
stitute of Medicine.’’. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
745 (20 U.S.C. 1138d) is amended by striking 
‘‘$30,000,000 for fiscal year 1999’’ and inserting 
‘‘$40,000,000 for fiscal year 2009’’. 
SEC. 707. URBAN-SERVING RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES. 
Part C of title VII (20 U.S.C. 1139 et seq.) is amend-
ed to read as follows: 
‘‘PART C—URBAN-SERVING RESEARCH 
UNIVERSITIES 
‘‘SEC. 751. PURPOSE; PROGRAM AUTHORIZED. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this part to pro-
vide incentives to urban-serving research universities to 
enable such universities to expand research knowledge and 
to develop and implement initiatives in partnership with 
community-based organizations and other public or non-
profit private entities to strengthen city economies, foster 
innovation and opportunity, and solve urban challenges. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary is au-
thorized to award grants to urban-serving research univer-
sities to enable such universities to carry out the activities 
described in section 753 in accordance with the provisions 
of this part. 
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‘‘SEC. 752. APPLICATION FOR URBAN-SERVING RESEARCH 
UNIVERSITY GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) APPLICATION.—An urban-serving research uni-
versity seeking assistance under this part shall submit to 
the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may rea-
sonably require. 
‘‘(b) PRIORITY IN SELECTION OF APPLICATIONS.— 
The Secretary shall give priority to applications that pro-
pose to conduct joint projects supported by Federal, State, 
and local programs other than the program under this 
Act. In addition, the Secretary shall give priority to urban- 
serving research universities with a demonstrated record 
of effective engagement in serving the communities in 
which such universities are located. 
‘‘SEC. 753. ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES. 
‘‘An urban-serving research university shall use funds 
awarded under this part to further develop and apply re-
search findings to the development, implementation, and 
ongoing evaluation of— 
‘‘(1) systemic initiatives with elementary and 
secondary schools and other educational organiza-
tions designed to— 
‘‘(A) improve teacher quality and reten-
tion; or 
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‘‘(B) develop strategies to improve postsec-
ondary and workplace readiness, particularly in 
fields related to science, technology, engineer-
ing, and mathematics; 
‘‘(2) innovative economic revitalization efforts 
in conjunction with community-based organizations 
and other public or nonprofit private entities; or 
‘‘(3) public health outreach, education, and 
intervention activities designed to reduce health dis-
parities in urban areas, in partnership with commu-
nity-based organizations and other public or non-
profit private entities. 
‘‘SEC. 754. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘As used in this part: 
‘‘(1) URBAN
AREA.—The term ‘urban area’ 
means a city with a population of not less than 
200,000 within a metropolitan statistical area. 
‘‘(2) 
URBAN-SERVING
RESEARCH
UNIVER-
SITY.—The term ‘urban-serving research university’ 
means a public institution of higher education 
that— 
‘‘(A) meets the requirements of section 
101; 
‘‘(B) is located in an urban area; 
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‘‘(C) has the capacity to conduct applicable 
research, as demonstrated by awarding more 
than 10 doctoral degrees per academic year; 
‘‘(D) draws a substantial portion of its stu-
dents from the urban area in which such insti-
tution is located; and 
‘‘(E) has demonstrated and sustained a 
sense of responsibility to such urban area and 
the people of such area. 
‘‘SEC. 755. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this part $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums 
as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
years.’’. 
SEC. 708. PROGRAMS TO ENSURE STUDENTS WITH DISABIL-
ITIES RECEIVE A QUALITY HIGHER EDU-
CATION. 
(a) SERVING ALL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.— 
Section 762(a) (20 U.S.C. 1140a(a)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘students with learning disabilities’’ and inserting 
‘‘students with disabilities’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) AMENDMENT.—Section 762(b)(2) is amend-
ed— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
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vide accessible distance education programs or 
classes that would enhance access of students 
with disabilities to higher education, including 
the use of accessible electronic communication 
for instruction and advisement. 
‘‘(E) ACCESSIBILITY
OF
EDUCATION.— 
Making postsecondary education more acces-
sible to students with disabilities through the 
use of accessible instructional materials and 
curriculum development, consistent with the 
principles of universal design for learning.’’. 
(2) REPORT.—Section 762 is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of the College Opportunity and Affordability 
Act of 2008, the Secretary shall prepare and disseminate 
a report reviewing the activities of the demonstration 
projects authorized under this subpart and providing guid-
ance and recommendations on how successful projects can 
be replicated.’’. 
(3) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
762(b)(3) is amended by striking ‘‘subparagraphs 
(A) through (C)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraphs (A) 
through (F)’’. 
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(c) APPLICATIONS.—Section 763 (20 U.S.C. 1140b) 
is amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) a description of how such institution plans 
to address the activities allowed under this sub-
part;’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘institution to develop’’ 
and inserting ‘‘institution, including students 
with disabilities, to develop’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(3) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (3) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) a description of the extent to which an in-
stitution will work to replicate the best practices of 
institutions of higher education with demonstrated 
success in serving students with disabilities.’’. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR DEM-
ONSTRATION PROJECTS TO ENSURE STUDENTS WITH 
DISABILITIES
RECEIVE
A
QUALITY
HIGHER
EDU-
CATION.—Section 765 (20 U.S.C. 1140d) is amended by 
striking ‘‘1999’’ and inserting ‘‘2009’’. 
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(e) NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER; 
COMMISSION ON ACCESSIBLE MATERIALS; PROGRAMS TO 
SUPPORT IMPROVED ACCESS TO MATERIALS; TRANSITION 
PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DIS-
ABILITIES; COORDINATING CENTER.—Part D of title VII 
(20 U.S.C. 1140 et seq.) is further amended— 
(1) in the part heading, by striking ‘‘DEM-
ONSTRATION
PROJECTS’’ and inserting ‘‘PRO-
GRAMS’’; 
(2) by inserting after the part heading the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘Subpart 1—Quality Higher Education’’; 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘Subpart 2—National Technical Assistance Center; 
Commission on Accessible Materials; Programs 
to Support Improved Access to Materials 
‘‘SEC. 766. NATIONAL CENTER. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this subpart to 
support the development of a national center to provide 
information and technical assistance for students with dis-
abilities to improve the postsecondary recruitment, reten-
tion, and completion success rates of such students. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT AND SUPPORT.—The Office of 
Postsecondary Education shall, by grant, contract, or co-
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operative agreement with an eligible entity or partnership 
of two or more eligible entities, provide for the establish-
ment and support of a National Center for Information 
and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with 
Disabilities (hereinafter in this subpart referred to as the 
‘Center’) which shall carry out the duties set forth in sub-
section (d). 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—In this subpart, the term 
‘eligible entity’ means an institution of higher education 
or a private nonprofit organization with demonstrated ex-
pertise in— 
‘‘(1) supporting postsecondary students with 
disabilities; 
‘‘(2) technical knowledge necessary for the ac-
cessible dissemination of information; and 
‘‘(3) working with a diverse range of types of 
institutions of higher education, including commu-
nity colleges. 
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The duties of the Center shall include 
the following: 
‘‘(1) ASSISTANCE
TO
STUDENTS
AND
FAMI-
LIES.—The Center shall provide information and 
technical assistance to students with disabilities and 
their families related to practices supporting stu-
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dents across a broad spectrum of disabilities, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(A) information to assist prospective stu-
dents with disabilities in planning their postsec-
ondary academic career while they are in middle 
and secondary school; 
‘‘(B) research-based supports, services, and 
accommodations which are available in postsec-
ondary settings, including services provided by 
other agencies such as vocational rehabilitation; 
‘‘(C) information on student mentoring 
and networking opportunities; and 
‘‘(D) successful recruitment and transition 
programs in existence in postsecondary institu-
tions. 
‘‘(2) ASSISTANCE TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
EDUCATION.—The Center shall provide information 
and technical assistance to faculty, staff, and admin-
istrators of institutions of higher education to im-
prove the services provided to, the accommodations 
for, the retention rates of, and the completion rates 
of, students with disabilities in higher education set-
tings, which may include— 
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‘‘(A) collection and dissemination of prom-
ising practices and materials for accommoda-
tion and support of students with disabilities; 
‘‘(B) development and provision of training 
modules for higher education faculty on exem-
plary practices for accommodating and sup-
porting students with disabilities across a range 
of academic fields; and 
‘‘(C) development of Internet-based tuto-
rials for faculty, including graduate teaching 
assistants and new faculty, on promising prac-
tices related to support and retention of stu-
dents with disabilities in postsecondary edu-
cation. 
‘‘(3) INFORMATION COLLECTION AND DISSEMI-
NATION.—The Center shall be responsible for build-
ing, maintaining, and updating a database of dis-
ability support services information with respect to 
institutions of higher education, or for expanding 
and updating an existing database of disabilities 
support services information with respect to institu-
tions of higher education, which shall be available to 
the general public through a website built to the 
highest technical standards of accessibility currently 
practicable for the broad spectrum of individuals 
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with disabilities. Such database and website shall in-
clude available information on— 
‘‘(A) disability documentation require-
ments; 
‘‘(B) support services available; 
‘‘(C) links to financial aid; 
‘‘(D) accommodations policies; 
‘‘(E) accessible instructional materials; 
‘‘(F) other topics relevant to students with 
disabilities and prospective students with dis-
abilities; and 
‘‘(G) the information in the report de-
scribed in paragraph (5). 
‘‘(4) PROFESSIONAL
STANDARDS
FOR
DIS-
ABILITY
SUPPORT
PERSONNEL.—The Center shall 
work with organizations and individuals with proven 
expertise related to disability support services for 
postsecondary students with disabilities to consoli-
date, evaluate, improve upon, and disseminate infor-
mation related to professional standards and best 
practices for disability support services personnel 
and offices in institutions of higher education. 
‘‘(5) REVIEW AND REPORT.—Not later than 3 
years after the establishment of the Center, and 
every 2 years thereafter, the Center shall prepare 
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and disseminate a report to Congress and the Sec-
retary analyzing the current condition of postsec-
ondary success for students with disabilities. Such 
report shall include— 
‘‘(A) a review of the activities of the pro-
grams authorized under this part; 
‘‘(B) annual enrollment and graduation 
rates of students with disabilities in institutions 
of higher education from existing data; 
‘‘(C) guidance on how successful postsec-
ondary supports and services for students with 
disabilities could be widely implemented at in-
stitutions of higher education; 
‘‘(D) guidance on how to reduce barriers to 
full participation for students with disabilities 
in higher education; and 
‘‘(E) a description of activities necessary to 
facilitate a substantial improvement in the post-
secondary success of such students. 
‘‘(e) STAFFING OF THE CENTER.—The Center shall 
employ disability support personnel with proven expertise 
in providing training and technical assistance to practi-
tioners. 
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‘‘SEC. 766A. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMISSION 
ON ACCESSIBLE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS 
IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION FOR STU-
DENTS WITH DISABILITIES. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a commission to be known as the Advisory Com-
mission on Accessible Instructional Materials in 
Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabil-
ities, in this subpart referred to as the ‘Commission’. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) The Commission shall include one 
representative of each of the following: 
‘‘(i) Department of Education Office 
of Postsecondary Education. 
‘‘(ii) Department of Education Office 
of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services. 
‘‘(iii) Department of Education Office 
for Civil Rights. 
‘‘(iv) Library of Congress National 
Digital Information and Infrastructure 
Preservation Program Copyright Working 
Group. 
‘‘(v) Association on Higher Education 
and Disability. 
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‘‘(vi) Association of American Pub-
lishers. 
‘‘(vii) Association of American Univer-
sity Presses. 
‘‘(viii) National Association of College 
Stores. 
‘‘(ix) National Council on Disability. 
‘‘(B) The Commission shall be composed of 
at least one but not more than two representa-
tives, as appointed by the Secretary, of each of 
the following: 
‘‘(i) Staff from institutions of higher 
education with demonstrated experience 
teaching or supporting students with print 
disabilities, representing each of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(I) Large public institution of 
higher education. 
‘‘(II) Small public institution of 
higher education. 
‘‘(III) Large private institution 
of higher education. 
‘‘(IV) Small private institution of 
higher education. 
‘‘(V) Large community college. 
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‘‘(VI) Small community college. 
‘‘(ii) Producers of materials in special-
ized formats, including each of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(I) Braille. 
‘‘(II) 
Audio 
or 
synthesized 
speech. 
‘‘(III) Digital media. 
‘‘(iii) Developers of accessibility and 
publishing software and supporting tech-
nologies. 
‘‘(iv) National organizations serving 
individuals with visual impairments that 
have demonstrated experience in tech-
nology evaluation research, academic pub-
lishing, production of material in accessible 
formats, and educational methodologies for 
such for individuals. 
‘‘(v) Postsecondary students with vis-
ual impairment. 
‘‘(vi) Postsecondary students with 
dyslexia or other learning disabilities re-
lated to reading. 
‘‘(vii) Attorneys with expertise in 
copyright law. 
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‘‘(C) The Commission shall include at least 
two, but not more than three, representatives as 
appointed by the Secretary, of national mem-
bership organizations representing individuals 
with print disabilities, including each of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) Individuals with visual impair-
ments. 
‘‘(ii) Individuals with learning disabil-
ities related to reading. 
‘‘(D) The appointments of the members of 
the Commission shall be made not later than 45 
days after the date of enactment of the College 
Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008. 
‘‘(3) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
Members shall be appointed for the life of the Com-
mission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not 
affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same 
manner as the original appointment. 
‘‘(4) INITIAL
MEETING.—Not later than 30 
days after the date on which all members of the 
Commission have been appointed, the Commission 
shall hold the Commission’s first meeting. 
‘‘(5) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet 
at the call of the Chairperson. Meetings shall be 
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publicly announced in advance and open to the pub-
lic. 
‘‘(6) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of 
the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a 
lesser number of members may hold hearings. 
‘‘(7) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
The Commission shall select a chairperson and vice 
chairperson from among the members of the Com-
mission. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.— 
‘‘(1) STUDY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
conduct a thorough study to assess the barriers, 
systemic issues, and technical solutions avail-
able which may affect or improve the timely de-
livery and quality of accessible instructional ma-
terials for postsecondary students, faculty, and 
staff with print disabilities, and make rec-
ommendations related to the development of a 
comprehensive approach that will ensure that 
postsecondary students with print disabilities 
can access instructional materials in specialized 
formats in a timeframe comparable to the avail-
ability of standard instructional materials for 
students without disabilities. 
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‘‘(B) EXISTING INFORMATION.—To the ex-
tent practicable, in carrying out the study 
under this paragraph, the Commission shall 
identify and use existing research, recommenda-
tions, and information from— 
‘‘(i) the Model Demonstration Pro-
grams to Support Improved Access to 
Postsecondary Instructional Materials for 
Students with Print Disabilities, as de-
scribed in section 766B; 
‘‘(ii) the Advisory Council and the 
Technical Assistance and Development 
Centers of the National Instructional Ma-
terials Access Center; 
‘‘(iii) the Library of Congress Na-
tional Digital Information and Infrastruc-
ture 
Preservation 
Program 
Copyright 
Working Group; 
‘‘(iv) the Association of Higher Edu-
cation and Disabilities E-Text Solutions 
Working Group; 
‘‘(v) the Recording for the Blind and 
Dyslexic’s Technology Advisory Committee; 
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‘‘(vi) the Association of American 
Publishers Higher Education Division’s 
Critical Issues Task Force; and 
‘‘(vii) other existing research related 
to the creation and distribution of acces-
sible instructional materials for students 
with print disabilities. 
‘‘(C) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Commis-
sion shall develop recommendations to be used 
to inform Federal regulation and legislation, to 
identify best practices for systems of creating, 
collecting, maintaining, processing, and dissemi-
nating materials in specialized formats to eligi-
ble students, faculty, and staff while providing 
adequate copyright protections. In developing 
such recommendations, the Commission shall 
consider— 
‘‘(i) how to ensure that students with 
print disabilities may obtain instructional 
materials in accessible formats within a 
timeframe comparable to the availability of 
materials for students without disabilities; 
‘‘(ii) the feasibility and technical pa-
rameters of establishing national standard-
ized electronic file formats such as, but not 
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limited to, the National Instructional Ma-
terials Accessibility Standard as defined in 
section 674(e)(3)(B) of the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act, to be pro-
vided by publishers of instructional mate-
rials to producers of specialized formats, 
institutions of higher education, and eligi-
ble students; 
‘‘(iii) the feasibility of the establish-
ment of a national clearinghouse, reposi-
tory, or file-sharing network for electronic 
files in specialized formats and files used 
in producing instructional materials in spe-
cialized formats, and a list of possible enti-
ties qualified to administer such a clearing-
house, repository, or network; 
‘‘(iv) the feasibility of including such 
a national clearinghouse, repository, or 
file-sharing network in the duties of the 
Center described in section 766; 
‘‘(v) market-based solutions involving 
collaborations between publishers of in-
structional materials, producers of special-
ized formats, and institutions of higher 
education, including— 
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‘‘(I) barriers and opportunities to 
market entry; 
‘‘(II) unique concerns affecting 
university presses, small publishers, 
and 
solutions 
incorporating 
such 
works into a shared system; and 
‘‘(III) solutions utilizing uni-
versal design; 
‘‘(vi) solutions for low-incidence, high- 
cost requests for materials in specialized 
formats; and 
‘‘(vii) definitions of instructional ma-
terials, authorized entities, and eligible stu-
dents. 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 24 months after 
the first meeting, the Commission shall submit a re-
port to the Secretary and to Congress that shall con-
tain a detailed statement of the findings and conclu-
sions of the Commission resulting from the study 
under subsection (a), together with the Commis-
sion’s recommendations for such legislation and ad-
ministrative actions as the Commission considers to 
be appropriate to implement the development of a 
comprehensive approach that will ensure that post-
secondary students with print disabilities can access 
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instructional materials in specialized formats in a 
timeframe comparable to the availability of standard 
instructional materials for students without disabil-
ities. 
‘‘(3) FACILITATION OF EXCHANGE OF INFOR-
MATION.—In carrying out the study under sub-
section (a), the Commission shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, facilitate the exchange of information con-
cerning the issues that are the subject of the study 
among— 
‘‘(A) officials of the Federal Government; 
‘‘(B) educators from Federal, State, and 
local institutions of higher education and sec-
ondary schools; 
‘‘(C) publishers of instructional materials; 
‘‘(D) producers of materials in specialized 
formats; 
‘‘(E) representatives from the community 
of individuals with print disabilities; and 
‘‘(F) participants in the Model Demonstra-
tion Programs to Support Improved Access to 
Postsecondary Instructional Materials for Stu-
dents with Print Disabilities, as described in 
section 766B. 
‘‘(c) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
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‘‘(1) 
COMPENSATION
OF
MEMBERS.—Each 
member of the Commission who is not an officer or 
employee of the Federal Government shall serve 
without compensation. All members of the Commis-
sion who are officers or employees of the United 
States shall serve without compensation in addition 
to that received for their services as officers or em-
ployees of the United States. 
‘‘(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the 
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 
away from their homes or regular places of business 
in the performance of services for the Commission. 
‘‘(3) STAFF.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Chairperson of 
the Commission may, without regard to the civil 
service laws and regulations, appoint and termi-
nate an executive director and such other addi-
tional personnel as may be necessary to enable 
the Commission to perform the Commission’s 
duties. The employment of an executive director 
shall be subject to confirmation by the Commis-
sion. 
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‘‘(B) COMPENSATION.—The Chairperson 
of the Commission may fix the compensation of 
the executive director and other personnel with-
out regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United 
States Code, relating to classification of posi-
tions and General Schedule pay rates, except 
that the rate of pay for the executive director 
and other personnel may not exceed the rate 
payable for level V of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of such title. 
‘‘(4) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.— 
Any Federal Government employee may be detailed 
to the Commission without reimbursement, and such 
detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil 
service status or privilege. 
‘‘(5) PROCUREMENT
OF
TEMPORARY
AND 
INTERMITTENT SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission may procure temporary and intermit-
tent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
States Code, at rates for individuals that do not ex-
ceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic 
pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of such title. 
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‘‘(d) TERMINATION
OF
THE
COMMISSION.—The 
Commission shall terminate on the date that is 90 days 
after the date on which the Commission submits the Com-
mission’s report under subsection (b)(2). 
‘‘SEC. 766B. MODEL DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS TO SUP-
PORT 
IMPROVED 
ACCESS 
TO 
POSTSEC-
ONDARY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR 
STUDENTS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this section to 
support model demonstration programs to encourage the 
development of systems to improve the timely delivery and 
quality of postsecondary instructional materials in special-
ized formats to students with print disabilities, including 
systems to improve efficiency and reduce duplicative ef-
forts across multiple institutions of higher education. 
‘‘(b) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, on a com-
petitive basis, award grants to, and enter into cooperative 
agreements with, a minimum of one partnership of two 
or more eligible entities to support the activities described 
in subsections (d) and (e). 
‘‘(c) PARTNERSHIP OF ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—In this 
section, a partnership of two or more eligible entities— 
‘‘(1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) an institution of higher education 
with demonstrated expertise in meeting the 
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needs of students with print disabilities, includ-
ing retention and completion of such students; 
and 
‘‘(B) a public or private entity with dem-
onstrated expertise in working with the creation 
of accessible instructional materials in special-
ized formats for postsecondary students with 
print disabilities, and the technical development 
expertise necessary for the efficient dissemina-
tion of such materials, including procedures to 
protect against copyright infringement with re-
spect to the creation, use, and distribution of 
print course materials in specialized formats; 
and 
‘‘(2) may include one or more publishers of in-
structional materials. 
‘‘(d) REQUIRED ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary shall 
support the development and implementation of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) Processes and systems to help identify, 
and verify eligibility of, postsecondary students with 
print disabilities in need of instructional materials in 
specialized formats. 
‘‘(2) Procedures and systems to facilitate and 
simplify request methods for accessible instructional 
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materials in specialized formats from eligible stu-
dents, which may include a single point-of-entry sys-
tem. 
‘‘(3) Procedures and systems to coordinate be-
tween institutions of higher education, publishers of 
instructional materials, and entities that produce 
materials in specialized formats, to efficiently facili-
tate requests for such materials, the responses to 
such requests, and the delivery of such materials. 
‘‘(4) Delivery systems that will ensure the time-
ly provision of instructional materials in specialized 
formats to eligible students, which may include elec-
tronic file distribution. 
‘‘(5) Systems to encourage reduction of duplica-
tive conversions of the same instructional materials 
for multiple eligible students at multiple institutions 
of higher education when such conversions may be 
shared. 
‘‘(6) Procedures to protect against copyright in-
fringement with respect to the creation, use, and dis-
tribution of instructional materials while maintain-
ing accessibility for students with print disabilities, 
which may include digital technologies such as 
watermarking, fingerprinting, and other emerging 
strategies. 
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‘‘(7) Awareness, outreach, and training activi-
ties for faculty, staff, and students related to the ac-
quisition and dissemination of instructional mate-
rials in specialized formats and instructional mate-
rials utilizing universal design. 
‘‘(8) Evaluation of the effectiveness of the pro-
grams under this section. 
‘‘(9) Guidance on how successful procedures 
and systems described in paragraphs (1) through (7) 
could be disseminated and implemented on a na-
tional basis. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary may 
support the development and implementation of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) Approaches limited to instructional mate-
rials used in smaller categories of postsecondary 
courses, such as introductory, first-, and second-year 
courses. 
‘‘(2) Market-based approaches for making in-
structional materials in specialized formats directly 
available to eligible students at prices comparable to 
standard instructional materials. 
‘‘(3) Approaches supporting a unified search 
across multiple databases or lists of available mate-
rials. 
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and the number of instructional material requests 
executed and delivered in specialized formats; and 
‘‘(4) an evaluation of the effectiveness of pro-
grams funded under this section. 
‘‘(i) MODEL EXPANSION.—After 3 years, the Sec-
retary shall review the results of the evaluations of partici-
pating partnerships, as well as the Commission report de-
scribed in section 766A. If the Secretary finds that models 
used under this section are effective in improving the time-
ly delivery and quality of materials in specialized formats 
and provide adequate protections against copyright in-
fringement, the Secretary may expand the demonstration 
program to additional grantees reflecting regional and 
programmatic partnerships. 
‘‘(j) MODEL EXPANSION SPECIAL RULE.—The Com-
mission’s recommendations shall be submitted to the Sec-
retary and a public comment period shall be issued prior 
to any expansion under subsection (i). No later than 90 
days after close of public comment period, the Secretary 
shall issue guidance to new and existing grantees, taking 
into consideration the final Commission recommendations 
and public comments. 
‘‘(k) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sub-
part shall be construed to limit or preempt any State law 
requiring the production or distribution of postsecondary 
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instructional materials in accessible formats to students 
with disabilities. 
‘‘SEC. 766C. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subpart such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 
2009 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. 
‘‘Subpart 3—Transition Programs for Students With 
Intellectual Disabilities Into Higher Education; 
Coordinating Center 
‘‘SEC. 767. PURPOSE. 
‘‘The purpose of this subpart is to support model 
demonstration programs that promote the successful tran-
sition of students with intellectual disabilities into higher 
education. 
‘‘SEC. 768. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this Act: 
‘‘(1) COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION AND POST-
SECONDARY PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH INTEL-
LECTUAL DISABILITIES.—The term ‘comprehensive 
transition and postsecondary program for students 
with intellectual disabilities’ means a degree, certifi-
cate, or nondegree program that is— 
‘‘(A) offered by an institution of higher 
education; 
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‘‘(B) designed to support students with an 
intellectual disability who are seeking to con-
tinue academic, vocational, and independent liv-
ing instruction at an institution of higher edu-
cation in order to prepare for gainful employ-
ment and independent living; 
‘‘(C) includes an advising and curriculum 
structure; and 
‘‘(D) requires students to participate on at 
least a half-time basis, as determined by the in-
stitution, with such participation focusing on 
academic components such as reading, language 
arts, or math, and occurring through a com-
bination of one or more of the following activi-
ties: 
‘‘(i) Regular enrollment in courses of-
fered by the institution. 
‘‘(ii) Auditing or participating in 
courses offered by the institution for which 
the student does not receive regular aca-
demic credit. 
‘‘(iii) Enrollment in noncredit, non-
degree courses. 
‘‘(iv) Participation in internships or 
apprenticeships. 
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‘‘(2) STUDENT WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DIS-
ABILITY.—The term ‘student with an intellectual 
disability’ means a student who is— 
‘‘(A) an individual whose mental retarda-
tion or other significant cognitive impairment 
substantially impacts the individual’s intellec-
tual and cognitive functioning; and 
‘‘(B)(i) a student eligible for assistance 
under the Individuals with Disabilities Edu-
cation Act who has completed secondary school; 
or 
‘‘(ii) an individual who was, but is no 
longer, eligible for assistance under the Individ-
uals with Disabilities Education Act because 
the individual has exceeded the maximum age 
for which the State in which the student resides 
provides a free appropriate public education. 
‘‘SEC. 769. MODEL COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION AND 
POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS 
WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Office of Postsec-
ondary Education shall annually award grants, on a 
competitive basis, to institutions of higher education 
(or consortia of institutions of higher education), to 
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create or expand high-quality, inclusive model com-
prehensive transition and postsecondary programs 
for students with intellectual disabilities. 
‘‘(2) DURATION OF GRANTS.—A grant under 
this section shall be awarded for a period of 5 years. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—An institution of higher edu-
cation (or a consortium) desiring a grant under this sec-
tion shall submit an application to the Office of Postsec-
ondary Education at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Office of Postsecondary 
Education may require. 
‘‘(c) PREFERENCE.—In awarding grants under this 
section, the Office of Postsecondary Education shall give 
preference to institutions of higher education (or con-
sortia) that— 
‘‘(1) are located in geographically diverse, un-
derserved areas; or 
‘‘(2) in the application submitted under sub-
section (b), agree to incorporate 1 or more of the 
following elements into the model programs carried 
out under the grant: 
‘‘(A) The formation of a partnership with 
any relevant agency serving students with intel-
lectual disabilities, such as a vocational rehabili-
tation agency. 
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‘‘(B) In the case of an institution of higher 
education that provides institutionally owned or 
operated housing for students attending the in-
stitution, the integration of students with intel-
lectual disabilities into such housing. 
‘‘(C) The involvement of students attend-
ing the institution of higher education who are 
studying special education, general education, 
vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology, or 
related fields in the model program carried out 
under the grant. 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.—An institution of higher edu-
cation (or consortium) receiving a grant under this section 
shall use the grant funds to establish a model comprehen-
sive transition and postsecondary program for students 
with intellectual disabilities that— 
‘‘(1) serves students with intellectual disabil-
ities; 
‘‘(2) provides individual supports and services 
for the academic and social inclusion of students 
with intellectual disabilities in academic courses, ex-
tracurricular activities, and other aspects of the in-
stitution of higher education’s regular postsecondary 
program; 
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