Students with Disabilities Preparing for Post-secondary Education: Know your Rights and Responsibilities

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire . . . William Butler Yeats

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance may not discriminate against any individual with a disability in the United States.

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Prohibits state and local governments from discriminating on the basis of disability A public entity shall furnish appropriate aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of a service, program or activity conducted by a public entity.

High Schools and Colleges are very different . . . Law, processes, and procedures Rights of parents Learning locations Roles of Teacher/Instructor

High Schools Students are entitled to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) Student has the right to an education until he/she graduates or meets the goals of the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) School is responsible for evaluation and developing an IEP School is required to provide services and document students’ use of those services

Colleges Emphasis is placed on access to the education, not the education Different Laws apply: ADA Title II and Section 504 Institution’s admission requirements must be followed Responsibility for obtaining evaluations that are required belongs to the student Responsibility for seeking and using accommodations belongs to the student Communication is with students, not parents

College Admissions Process Complete application as required and send into Admissions Office Complete entire application, some schools may ask to self-disclose, this is not mandatory! Notify Disability Support Office of your situation and request information about services Provide appropriate and current documentation about the disability Meet with the Disability Service Coordinator to discuss possible accommodations

Documentation Requirements Comprehensive and current – less than three years old – and must include diagnosis IEP’s, progress updates and 504 plans are not considered appropriate documentation Documentation must be prepared by an appropriate professional The College/University will not pay for updating of required documents

Where to get more info . . . Office of Civil Rights: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/icr/transition.html Section 504 and Title II: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/auxaid.html

More info on Post-Secondary Institutions Lehigh Carbon Community College http://www.lccc.edu/default.aspx?pageid=125 Muhlenberg College http://www.muhlenberg.edu/students/disabilities/ East Stroudsburg University http://www4.esu.edu/current_students/student_services/disability_services/disability_services.cfm Kutztown University http://www.kutztown.edu/admin/humandiversity/disabililtyservices/ Penn State University http://www.equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines.asp