Colleges have accommodation for students with disabilities, though they may look different than accommodation you may have received in high school or in the workplace. The Federal Department of Education lays out the basics of how colleges need to accommodate students' needs and answers some frequently asked questions. The sections below expand on that information.
The regulations for accommodating students with disabilities in high school are very different than those in college. The chart below addresses some of these differences.
Topic | High School | College |
Who is responsible for identifying the student and their disability? | The school | The student |
Who/what determines the eligibility of a student for services? | A multidisciplinary team | Documentation from a licensed professional or medical doctor, prior records, and IEP |
Who is responsible for services? | Most services are provided. | Some services, like tutoring, may be at student's expense. |
What plan for service is needed? | Individualized Education Program (IEP) | Usually a letter describing accommodations from the college's office of disability Services is given to faculty with the student's approval |
What type of a learning environment is offered? | Students are served with non-disabled peers to the degree possible. | No 'special education' in college. Course requirements are the same for all students, however, students with disabilities may use appropriate academic accommodations. |
What laws are applicable to the student? |
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) |
Finding the best school to meet one's needs can be difficult. For many students with disabilities, this can require more in-depth searching. When researching a school, you may want to contact a member of their Disability Services office and ask some of these questions:
Once you decide which school is for you, there are several tasks that students should follow to ease their transition.
Below are a few sources of information regarding the success of students with disabilities in furthering their education.
Oregon's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education
I'm a/an
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