COLLEGE/VOCATIONAL
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, so this mini-section is meant to give you and your family the resources you’ll need.
Understand the differences between high school accommodations and those in college.
| Secondary (high school) | Post-secondary (college) |
| Students’ rights covered under IDEA | Students’ rights covered under ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. |
| District responsible for providing evaluation | Student responsible for submitting documentation |
| Evaluation – children scale (i.e., WISC) | Evaluation – adult scale (i.e., WAIS-III) |
| District responsible for implementation of Individualized Education Plan | Student responsible to self-disclose disability and request accommodations |
| Individualized Education Plan (IEP) created by team approach | No individual plan. Educational plan created by student and Disability Services staff |
| District must prove plan is appropriate | Student responsible to notify Disability Services if there are problems |
| Curriculum can be fundamentally altered | Curriculum content cannot be altered |
| Parents actively involved | Parents have access to information only with student’s consent |
Source: Pennsylvania College of Technology, Disability Services
Information taken from http://gettingthemthere.com/special-circumstances/students-with-disabilities/
Please browse the websites below:
- SAT: Students with disabilities-The steps to receive test accommodations
http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/for-students-with-disabilities - ACT: Services for students with disabilities
http://www.actstudent.org/regist/disab/ - Higher Education For Students With Disabilities -
https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/best-accredited-colleges-schools-for-students-with-disabilities/
*STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEE THE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON COLLEGES AND FINANCIAL AID.