Best and worst cities for students with disabilities
Students with disabilities (SWD) are entering higher education in great numbers throughout the United States. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2021, 7.2 million students – or 15% of students in public schools – served under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), marking an increase from the previous year.
Like any student entering a new learning environment, some experience transitional challenges; for many young adults it is their first time away from home, their first experience with independence, or their first encounter with a new academic and social environment. However, college SWD face additional barriers and difficulties that can hinder their academic success.
With the physical and economic challenges of managing a disability in mind, Studocu went through the data comparing more than 350 cities across the US to find the most disability-friendly ones. Our data set ranges from the cost of living to the average income for people with disabilities and much more. Before delving into the best and worst cities for disabled students, the research team at Studocu decided to look at the bigger picture and see the best and worst states for students with disabilities in the US based on accessibility.
Key Takeaways
- According to our findings, Youngstown, Ohio, ranked as the best city for students with disabilities, whereas Passaic, New Jersey, ranked as the worst.
- The city of Sunnyvale topped the list for the highest median income for people with disabilities at $85,360, followed by Pleasanton at $83,500 and Bellevue at $76,300.
- Bloomington and Indiana are among the cities with the lowest median income at $14,360, followed by Ames, Iowa, at $14,908, and Provo, Utah, at $15,115.
- Youngstown, Decatur, Akron, and Flint topped our list with the lowest cost of living for affordable housing and living expenses, while Sunnyvale, Redwood, Berkeley, and Pleasanton were at the bottom with the highest cost of living in the country.
- Our original data shows that the best state for student accessibility is New Mexico, with a total rate of 9.2 out of 10, followed closely by South Dakota (9/10) and Florida (8.9/10).
- The three states that topped our list of worst states for students with disabilities are Wyoming, Wisconsin, and Hawaii, with a rating of 6.3, 6.4, and 6.8, respectively.
Top 10 Best and Worst States for Students with Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a legal protection form for people with disabilities. ADA makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in any area of public life, such as work, business, school, transportation, and all other places open to the public.
For instance, accessibility in universities is crucial in ensuring that students with disabilities have equal opportunities to learn and succeed, promoting inclusivity, meeting legal requirements, and preparing students for the workforce. But, while regulations like ADA require that all US states grant accessibility to the general public, the legal result varies from place to place. Our original data shows that the best state for student accessibility is New Mexico, with a total rate of 9.2 out of 10, followed closely by South Dakota (9/10) and Florida (8.9/10).
Reposted from: Studocu.com
