By Mickie Hayes, M.Ed.

Going from high school to college can feel like an overwhelming experience. If you are a student with a disability, the experience can seem rather challenging, but in reality, most colleges make the procedure easy to follow. As a new college student, you will need to become a self-advocate with regards to your disability and accommodation needs.

1. You begin your college life with an application to the college. Some colleges have strict admission standards, but the college will not deny entrance based upon your disability. After you have completed your application, you should next self-identify with the Disabilities Office at the college. Your name and disability information does not automatically transfer to the college. The college will have no idea that you need any accommodations unless you speak to the people who work in Disabilities Services. As long as you are over 18 you are the legal adult; the college is bound by FERPA rules of confidentiality, so your parents cannot register for you on your behalf.

2. When you speak to the people in Disabilities Services, they will discuss their documentation guidelines with you. Some colleges take IEPs and 504 plans from high school; others will want to see updated testing for a learning disability that uses adult norms. For other disabilities like medical conditions, psychological diagnoses, or physical problems, documentation will likely be in the form of an official letter or medical report. Every college determines its own disability documentation guidelines, so you will need to investigate the correct procedure for your school.

3. If you took ACT or SAT scores before applying to college, and they are sufficient for entrance the college of your choice, then you should not need any additional testing. However, if you go to a community college, and your ACT or SAT scores are not high enough for college level work, you will need additional placement testing. You should meet with Disabilities Services prior to taking your college placement tests in case you qualify for any accommodations on the tests. Those tests determine the courses you will begin taking at college.

4. Once you have established a schedule at college you should revisit Disabilities Services to get accommodations for your classes. In most cases, you will be the person who discusses the accommodations with your professors. The important point is to keep the people who work in Disabilities Services informed if you have any issues, concerns, or problems with your accommodations. That is likely the only way they will know what you need.

In high school everybody told you what to do and when to do it. In college, you will need to follow up with things yourself. Be ready to be a self-advocate and make certain that you meet as often as necessary with your professors and Disability Services.

Mickie Hayes, M. Ed is a Learning Disabilities Specialist. For more information see my blog. “One Stop Guide to Learning Disabilities”