Senator Blunt Rochester's Amendment Ensures Equal Access to Civil Rights Protections for Students

The Protecting Students on Campus Act

• 💡 Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester introduced an amendment to the Protecting Students on Campus Act during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing.
• 🎯 The act aims to create a public awareness campaign for submitting civil rights complaints at higher education institutions.

Ensuring Accessibility for All Students

• ♿ The amendment ensures the campaign materials are accessible and ADA compliant for all students.
• 🔊 This includes providing materials with braille or audio accompaniment for visually impaired students.
• 🧑‍🦯 Ramps to the Office of Civil Rights on campuses are necessary for students using mobility aids.
• 🧏 ASL interpreters are required in these offices for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• 🏗️ The principle of universal design with accessibility in mind is central to the amendment.

Support for the Amendment

• ✅ Senator Blunt Rochester urged colleagues to support the amendment, emphasizing that all students should be able to understand and access their Title VI rights.
• 🤝 The amendment was described as common sense and constructive, with colleagues expressing their intent to vote yes.
• 📊 The amendment passed with 23 yeas and zero nays.