Checklist for College Students with Disabilities

Tags: Accomodations Technology

Published: 23 October 2015

Graduating high school and going to college are two milestones that both students, and parents can get excited about. Its not all excitement though, it requires a lot of preparation on all levels. Most universities offer checklists to prepare students on the admissions process, and what to do after they’re admitted. There are countless generic checklists online to prepare college students for university life.

A more difficult checklist to find is one that gives a step-by-step guide for students with disabilities to use. Although there is much overlap between the advice a student with disabilities would use, and other students, there exists a gap. This article, seeks to fill the gaps, and offer a comprehensive checklist for students with disabilities to prepare for college.

The State department has provided a list of tips for students with disabilities seeking postsecondary education. There are differences between the K-12 school system, and college. The state department produced their guide to highlight the differences between the two systems, and to prepare these soon-to-be college students.

Both BestColleges.Com, and the State Department offer information on your legal rights as a student with disabilities; this includes both physical and learning disabilities. They both provide numerous resources such as websites, apps, and software to assist students with disabilities.

Plan in advance: Getting ready for college is a tricky process. Students and parents should plan early on, and have these discussions through out high school. By end of sophomore year students should have in mind the universities they would like to attend, speak to a counselor, conduct college visits, consider scholarships/grants/loans, and have a thorough action plan. The earlier this process starts, the better prepared and successful the student will be.

Know your rights: According to the U.S. State Department, ‘The Office of Civil Rights (OCR), a part of theU.S. Department of Education, oversees the implementation of Section 504. Organizations that receive federal funding, such as academic institutions and employers, are legally obligated to provide disabled students with equal benefits, services, and opportunities. Students attending college must be provided with equal access to classrooms, and they may be deemed eligible for accommodations’.

Play up your strengths: Many view disabilities as one in the same, not considering how amorphous the disability community is. Each student must acknowledge his/her disability, and what strengths they have. Unfortunately, possessing a disability is seen as a setback in academia, however this is not the case. Individuals are unique, and the best way to overcome this stigma is to focus on your strengths by embracing them, and highlighting your skills during the admissions process, and through out your academic career.

Know the right questions to ask: Students do not have to disclose their disability to their university, however they do in order to receive accommodations. Knowing the right questions to ask your advisor, will allow for you to utilize all the resources available. There are assistive tools, technology, and methods that can make the college experience better. You can ask your advisor for, “sound amplification aids, speech to text software, accessible testing locations, note-taking services, priority class registration, sign language interpretation, and course substitutions[1].”

Take time researching colleges: Do you want to go in state, out of state, private, or public, large, or small, are just a few of the decisions that a student must make. Some of the research is regarding preferences, while some pertain to costs, and program details.

Stay Positive: Your disability does not take away from the person you are. Hard work will always pay off, and as long as you continue with this frame of mind, nothing will stop you from achieving your goals and dreams. College can be difficult, and stressful for all students, you are not the only one facing challenges. Overcoming the challenges, no matter how severe they may seem, requires maintaining a positive attitude.

Seek out help: It is important to ask for help when you need it. Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek assistance. Most college advisors suggest that students regularly visit writing centers, and tutoring facilities to ensure that they stay on top of their schoolwork. Again, you should utilize all campus programs for tutoring, while taking advantage of the assistive methods exclusive for students with disabilities. Never allow your anxieties, or self-doubt stop you from asking for the help you need.

Works Cited

"College Resources for Students with Disabilities." Best Colleges. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education:." US Department of Education. U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, n.d. Web.

[1] http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/disabled-students/

Checklist for College Students with Disabilities

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