Post-secondary Planning Guide for Students with Learning Disabilities
Students with Disabilities
Making the shift from high school into college may seem daunting, but there are ways to make the transition smoothly.
Students with disabilities can, and should, set a goal for postsecondary education; with the right resources and academic plan, students with physical, mental, and learning disabilities can absolutely succeed in college! The key is to match a student’s needs and interests with a school or program that will provide appropriate support while that student works toward his/her goal. This process involves a lot of research and planning.
It’s important to note that campuses do not require your IEP (Individualized Education Program) documents, but you will need substantial proof of your disability. The documents required vary by college, so be sure to contact the admissions office to see what their mandatory criteria is (whether it is a psycho-educational evaluation, an IQ test, or neuropsychological testing).
You can also prepare for the college track by enrolling in evening or weekend courses at a community college to get a feel for what a new learning environment will be like, as well as to get a practice run on the level of workload that comes along with college-level courses.
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Secondary |
Post-secondary |
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Students' rights covered under IDEA |
Students' rights covered under ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. |
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District responsible for providing evaluation |
Student responsible for submitting documentation |
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Evaluation - children scale (i.e., WISC) |
Evaluation - adult scale (i.e., WAIS-III) |
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District responsible for implementation of Individualized Education Plan |
Student responsible to self-disclose disability and request accommodations |
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Individualized Education Plan (IEP) created by team approach |
No individual plan. Educational plan created by student and Disability Services staff |
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District must prove plan is appropriate |
Student responsible to notify Disability Services if there are problems |
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Curriculum can be fundamentally altered |
Curriculum content cannot be altered |
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Parents actively involved |
Parents have access to information only with student's consent |
What to Expect From College Admissions Officers
It is not required for you to disclose whether or not you have a disability to college admissions officers, but officials have said that knowing that information can be helpful in determining whether a student should be admitted, as it may explain something unusual on a transcript.
If you do decide to disclose that information, it should go directly to the school’s disabilities services office, which will be informed on how to handle it.
Disability Support Services at Colleges
While the quality and support of each school’s individual disability services will vary from campus to campus, academic personnel will help evaluate and decide what kind of assistance is needed.
Eligibility for disability support services are typically evaluated by the college. Benefits of applying can include in-class note takers, academic counseling, authorizing necessary accommodations, arranging for exams, and career training.
Need more College Resources for Students with Disabilities?
More resources/information can be found at http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/disabled-students/.