BOSTON (AP) — Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities would have a clearer path to state colleges and universities under a bill approved by the Massachusetts Senate.

Supporters say the bill opens the doors to higher education for students historically denied access because their disability prevented them from obtaining a high school diploma.

The bill would also codify an existing grant program that allows high school students aged 18-21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in an inclusive college course and the student life of college as part of their high school special education.

Thirteen colleges and universities already partner with nearly 70 school districts statewide to offer the program. The bill would make the program available statewide.


The Senate approved the bill Thursday.

It now heads to the Massachusetts House.Organizers at Ottawa's new supervised injection trailer are overwhelmed with the sheer volume of people coming to the site each day, and they expect those numbers will increase during the winter.

The trailer, which is run by Ottawa Inner City Health, officially opened its doors on Nov. 7. On an average day the trailer sees 122 people, but on the busiest day those numbers climbed to 139 people.

"It's hectic, it's non-stop," said Louise Beaudoin, the trailer's nurse co-ordinator for the trailer.

"We're always overwhelmed, but that's the nature of the beast."

Wendy Muckle, the executive director for Ottawa Inner City Health, said they didn't expect so many people to use the services.

Wendy Muckle, the executive director of Ottawa Inner City Health, says they've been very busy since the new supervised injection