Preparing Students withDisabilities forCollege
by Dorothy Wells
St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, NC
Beginning college is a time of major change for any student, and a disability brings additional challenges. Awareness of and preparation for what lies ahead will smooth this transition, and increase a student's chances for academic success. Because many of the necessary skills take some time to develop, this groundwork should begin early.
Learn about how college students are served
There are significant differences between high school services and college services for students with disabilities. No longer does the school have a responsibility to identify individuals with disabilities, determine what supports are needed, and communicate those needs. Colleges have a responsibility to respond when students inform the appropriate department of their needs, supported by documentation of the disability.
The U.S. Department of Education has prepared an excellent guide to these changes. All students with disabilities and their parents are encouraged to read ``Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities.''
Develop self-advocacy skills
As students enter college, they have significant new responsibilities to advocate for themselves. They will need to self-identify to the department responsible for serving students with disabilities. On most campuses, they will also need to inform faculty of their needs. In order to become effective self-advocates, students need to be comfortable discussing disability-related needs, able to identify when they are having difficulty, comfortable asking for help when they need assistance, and willing to be appropriately assertive when their needs are not met.
It is also important for them to understand what past services were provided because of the disability, and why those services were needed. As many of the services provided under an IEP were provided based on discussion between parents and school personnel, students don't always realize that certain aspects of their school experience were planned because of the disability. It is important for students to understand why those things were done, and how they addressed the impact of the disability.
Enhance study skills
College presents a new learning environment, in which students take responsibility for thinking through and applying what they have learned. Students are assigned considerable amounts of reading and writing which may not be directly addressed in class, manage a schedule that often allows time between classes, and are expected to complete major projects independently.
During high school, students should develop skills to organize study materials, manage time, set priorities, track assignment deadlines, and break major projects into steps. If the disability affects organization and planning skills, parents and school personnel often assist with these tasks during high school, but students should develop these skills as part of transition planning. Calendars, planners, and electronic organizers may help compensate for the disability.
Students should also develop notetaking skills if possible. Some disabilities will prevent students from taking their own notes, and notetaking services may be an appropriate accommodation in college. However, other students may be able to take effective notes through use of a tape recorder and practice.
Cultivate independent living skills
For those students who select a residential institution, college begins their first independent living experience. New responsibilities include getting up on time for classes, doing laundry, managing finances, unlocking residence hall doors, cleaning residence hall rooms, and dealing with community businesses. When the disability makes these tasks difficult, occupational therapy may be helpful in identifying strategies and equipment. Centers for independent living are also a valuable resource.
Build personal care assistance management skills
Colleges are not required by law to provide assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, and other personal care. Although a few colleges provide personal care assistance for an additional fee, students at most colleges will need to make arrangements with a home health agency, or hire their own attendants. Any student going to school away from home will need to be comfortable receiving care from a non-family member, and able to give direction to an attendant. Depending on how care is provided, students may also need to gain skills in selecting, training, and managing pay for attendants.
Connect with Vocational Rehabilitation
A variety of assistance may be available through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), a federal/state program whose purpose is to empower individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and integration into society. A vocational rehabilitation counselor facilitates this process. Together, the student and VR counselor clarify career choices and identify the supports, accommodations, and employment skills that are needed. The services provided by VR include assessment for career planning, vocational guidance and counseling, vocational and other training, medical rehabilitation services, rehabilitation technology, orientation and mobility training for persons who are blind, and on-the-job or other personal assistance services.
The VR program works with many high school students with disabilities to assist in planning and providing transition services. Transition services are a coordinated set of activities designed to promote movement from school to career activities. If postsecondary education is necessary to obtain employment goals, and the student is qualified to meet the program admission requirements, VR services may be provided in order for the student to participate in and complete the program.
State vocational rehabilitation agency titles vary from state to state, and thus may be hard to locate in the telephone directory. Programs in each state can be found through this link:
Obtain assistive technology
A wide array of technology is currently available to assist students with disabilities. Specialized hardware and software can allow computer access, or use the computer as a tool to compensate for the disability. By the time a student starts college, they should have identified adaptive technology that allows them to complete academic work in the most independent and efficient method possible, and be proficient in its use.
Students who are using assistive technology belonging to their high school should find out what technology is available at the college they plan to attend, and what they will need to provide for themselves.
Several resources can assist students in identifying the most appropriate technology. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that IEP planning teams consider whether a child needs assistive technology devices and services. In addition to this, every state has an assistive technology program to provide information and referral. Vocational Rehabilitation counselors may also be able to assist with evaluation and funding for assistive technology needs.
Choose a college and connect with services for students with disabilities
Many factors go into the selection of a college, and the disability should not be the only factor considered. Other considerations include size, majors offered, admissions requirements, residence life, cost, and proximity to home. Once potential colleges have been identified, contact should be made with the department that provides services for students with disabilities. All colleges must provide services, but the name of the department and location within the organization will vary.
Once potential colleges are chosen, and the disability contact identified, visits should be arranged. This is especially important for students with mobility impairments who will need to experience the physical environment. Questions to ask the disability services department include types of services provided, experience they have serving the particular type of disability, the process for receiving services, and support services available to all students that may be particularly helpful for students with disabilities.
Prepare to provide current disability documentation
Students are responsible to provide documentation of their disability to the department that provides disability services. The information that will be needed generally includes a diagnosis from an appropriate professional, and information about the specific limitations related to the disability, with a particular focus on their needs as a student. Many colleges have written guidelines describing the type of documentation that will be needed, which can be provided to prospective students upon request. Many colleges ask for documentation completed within the last three years. Parents may work with the school system to ensure that an updated comprehensive evaluation is provided as part of the IEP transition plan. Students working with Vocational Rehabilitation may also be able to get a current evaluation as part of the VR planning process.
In conclusion
Higher education can be a rewarding experience for many students with disabilities. However, the challenges are great. It takes special planning and extra effort on the part of both the student and parents to make sure there is every opportunity for success.
SOURCES
HEATH. ``Vocational Rehabilitation Services: A Consumer Guide for Postsecondary Students''
On the web:
Order by phone: (Voice/TTY) 800-544-3284
RESOURCES
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. ``Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities''
On the web:
Order by phone: 877-433-7827
Katharin A. Kelker, Ed.D, editor. ``Family Guide to Assistive Technology''
On the web:
Order by phone: 406-255-0540
Technology Assistance Projects for each state can be found on the RESNA website
On the web:
Gladys Williams and Ann Palmer. ``Preparing For College: Tips For Students with High Functioning Autism/Asperger's Syndrome''
On the web:
University of Washington. ``College Funding Strategies for Students with Disabilities''
On the web:
Order by phone: (voice/TTY) 206-685-3648
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition. ``Parenting Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities: Becoming the Mentor, Advocate, and Guide Your Young Adult Needs''
On the web:
Order by phone: 612-624-2097
Paralyzed Veterans of America. Managing Personal Assistants: A Consumer Guide
Reviewed on the web:
Purchase by phone: 888-860-7244.
Independent Living Research Utilization. Directory of centers for independent living and statewide independent living councils
On the web:
About the author:
Dorothy Wells is a Rehabilitation Counselor who has served students with disabilities in both community college and 4-year residential college settings. She currently serves as Director of Disability Services at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, North Carolina.
Paper published by ADNet for personal use.
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