US Education Department to Hold Summit on Support Strategies for Students With Disabilities & Those With Mental Health Needs

The US Department of Education has announced that it is planning to host the first of its kind virtual summit, “Recovery to Thriving: Supporting Mental Health & Students with Disabilities,” to discuss steps that colleges and other educational institutions can take to support students with special needs and those experiencing mental health issues.

The summit will be held on Monday, May 23, and will bring together educational leaders, disability advocates and coordinators, education professionals, and others, Erudera.com reports.

According to a press release issued by the Department of Education, during the summit, participants will discuss issues affecting students with disabilities and those with mental health issues as the nation is trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said that now as the country recovers from the pandemic, it’s important to acknowledge that students with special needs in the US have struggled during the pandemic, adding that injustice between students with special needs and their peers happened back then.

“Ensuring that our students with disabilities receive a free, appropriate public education that meets their academic, social, and emotional needs isn’t just written into law, it’s a moral obligation. We must work together so that students with disabilities and mental health needs receive the resources they need to thrive,” Cardona said.

He stressed that promising practices to support these students will be presented during the summit, adding that the summit will also demonstrate the department’s continued commitment to serve students with special needs as well as to provide educational institutions with the necessary tools to reevaluate education and make sure that every student succeeds.

Key issues expected to be addressed during the summit include:

• Use of American Rescue Plan funding to address lost instructional time and provide mental health services in K-12 schools
• Use of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund funding so students in higher education can have more access to mental health services
• Supporting equitable pathways for students with disabilities as they finish school and start a career
• Considering digital accessibility in the emerging virtual and hybrid work and school environments

“The summit will also highlight some of the Department’s most recent announcements and resources, such as plans to strengthen and protect the rights of students with disabilities by amending Section 504 regulations, as well as a resource for schools, colleges, and communities to promote mental health,” the press release reads.

According to Statista, the data provider, during the 2020/21 academic year, many college students in the United States have reported anxiety as their primary mental health concern.