Leaving the Nest: College Resources for People with Disabilities

Finally! All of those long days in a classroom keeping myself on task and all of the IEP meetings that my parents attended have paid off: college, here I come! But where do I begin? Will I still be able to get accommodations?

BestColleges.com provides guidance for students with disabilities who wish to further their education in a post-secondary setting. Entering college can be difficult and daunting for any person, but for a student with a disability, it is a giant transition. As transition periods are often one of the biggest challenges for a person with a disability, causing angst and worry, be aware of the student’s needs as well as any required deadlines for enrollment. On top of this, many additional issues must be addressed before a student with a disability starts secondary education. BestColleges helps people with disabilities answer these questions and more.

Know your rights

College students who have disabilities are covered under a variety of Federal laws. BestColleges explains that, under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, any academic organization that receives federal funds must ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to classrooms and benefits. Under Section 504, a student with a disability may be eligible for accommodations in order to attend college. Private colleges may not be required to follow Section 504, if they do not receive federal funding.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA) applies to both private and public colleges. Title II applies to public accommodations, including colleges, and Title III applies to private colleges. It says that a person cannot be excluded from programs and services because of a disability; the ADA stresses full inclusion in all aspects of life, including secondary education. The ADA requires that students with disabilities be provided with academic services in an accessible environment. BestColleges supports students with a disability by outlining these rights for individuals.

IDEA is another federal law that applies to students with disabilities, up to high school graduation or 21 years of age. IDEA ensures that all students with a disability have a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). When IDEA applies, the student has an IEP or 504 plan in place, and the IEP team assists through the difficult transition period. The IEP can even outline specific goals to help the student with a disability become a successful college student. Equipment and other adaptive services may be available for the college student with a disability under the Assistive Technology Act.

BestColleges also provides directions for the unfortunate situations in which a student with a disability is denied services or feels that he or she has been discriminated against. There are grievances available when necessary to resolve these types of incidences. BestColleges provides directions on what type of complaint should be filed with which agency. Retaliation is strictly prohibited by law and would be a further violation of the laws that protect students with disabilities.

What to ask for and what to expect

BestColleges gives examples of a large variety of typical accommodations that are used for college settings. It even provides links directly to information. It includes various software programs that are available or apps that can simply be downloaded. These small accommodations can make a big impact and mean the difference between passing and failing, or even attending at all. Be creative, and remember there may be many answers to the question of what an individual needs to be successful in a college environment.

If you have a disability, before you enroll, make sure that you take the time to ask if this is the right college to support you and help you succeed. BestColleges suggests that you not only visit the campus so that you are familiar, but also so that you feel comfortable. BestColleges points out that Student Services are available and there is a good possibility that they already know what supports and services a student with a disability needs to survive college.

Ready, Set… GO!

BestColleges suggests that a student with a disability might find it helpful to take some free online classes before heading to campus, in order to get the hang of college level work. BestColleges advises you to stay in close contact with the administration in order to have all of your accommodations in place before your first day and to make any adjustments if necessary. BestColleges.com helps families meet the needs of students with disabilities who are transitioning into their secondary educational settings by providing information and explaining their rights.