Students with disabilities transition into college

Students with Disabilities Transition into College Prepared by the ND Colleges and Universities Disability Services Council February 2007... The Laws are Different… The laws that govern

Students with Disabilities

Transition into College

Prepared by the ND Colleges and Universities

Disability Services Council

February 2007

The Laws are Different…

 The laws that govern post secondary are civil rights statutes which prohibit discrimination

on the basis of disability

– Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Mandates “equal access” to education programs that receive federal dollars

– Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

Extends protection from educational programs receiving federal dollars to the private sector

ADA Definition of a Disability

“…a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits an individual in one or more major life activities.” (e.g., walking, seeing, learning)

IDEA vs Section 504 and ADA

IDEA = vs Section 504 and ADA =

Services vs Accommodations

What does “equal access” mean?

Colleges & Universities Provide…

 academic accommodations - provisions

made in HOW a student accesses or

demonstrates learning….

 …not academic modifications - changes in

WHAT a student is expected to learn and

demonstrate

The Services Are Different…

 Purpose of the

Accommodation

– To remove a barrier that

limits access to the learning

environment/activity

 Determination of the

Accommodation

Limitations of the disability

– In discussion with student,

identify specific

accommodations

– Cannot fundamentally alter course or program

course by course basis

 Examples of Accommodations

– Distraction reduced environment

– Texts in alternate format

Student Rights Are Different…

 Students have the right to:

– Equal access to

 Jobs

 Activities, and

 Facilities

– Reasonable and appropriate accommodations

– Academic adjustments, and/or

– Auxiliary aids

Rights Are Different…

 Colleges have the right to:

– Request current documentation of disability

– Select appropriate accommodations, and/or auxiliary aids for each student on a case by case, course by course basis Determination based on discussions with student and

functional limitations described in documentation

– Deny a request if the need is not supported by

documentation

**“Student’s and Colleges’ Rights and Responsibilities”

www.und.nodak.edu/org/nddsc

Responsibilities Are Different…

 Students have the responsibility to:

– Meet the college program’s essential technical standards

– Self disclose the disability in a timely manner

when requesting accommodations

– Provide documentation that states the diagnosis, describes the functional limitations and justifies specific accommodation needs

Responsibilities Are Different…

 Colleges have the responsibility to:

– Respond to accommodation requests in a timely manner

– Refuse accommodations that –

 Pose a direct threat to the health & safety of others

 Constitute a substantial change to the essential course elements

 Substantially alters how the services or educational opportunities are delivered

 Pose undue financial hardship or administrative burden to the institution

Post-Secondary Institutions Are NOT Required To:

 Reduce or waive essential requirements of a course or program

 Conduct testing of learning, psychological or medical disabilities

 Provide personal attendants

 Provide personal or private tutors

 Prepare Individual Education Program (IEP)

Confidentiality Is Different…

 Individuals considered adults – FERPA protection

– college personnel cannot discuss disability without written permission

 Third-party medical records HIPPA

– college personnel cannot release third-party medical documentation

Two Year & Four Year Institutions are

Different…

 Two Year

– Open Enrollment

– Provide preparatory/remedial

courses and curriculums

– Academic support services are

centralized in one learning

center

 Four Year

– Admission requirements-exceptions to requirements

– No preparatory/remedial courses unless part of a federal grant program

– Academic support services may be decentralized

Resources are Different in

Postsecondary…

 Vocational Rehabilitation (“VR”)

– Students on IEP or 504 Plans should be referred

to VR in JUNIOR YEAR.

VR may be able to assist with college costs, equipment,

or assistive technology when related to the disability and the career goal

Financial Resources are Different…

 Students are responsible to secure funding to pay for college education

– Possible Funding Sources

 Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

** Nat’l Clearinghouse on Post-Secondary Ed for Individuals with Disabilities

Putting it All Together

 Students need to become SELF ADVOCATES.

 Know:

– How the disability affects them

– Accommodations needed

– Differences in the laws, and

– Rights and responsibilities as adults and college students

 Colleges provide equal access to programs and

facilities They DO NOT ensure student success.

 Student must self disclose disability to the disability services offices and initiate accommodation request.