Office of Accessibility University of Akron Ashley Poulos, M.Ed., PC Disability Specialist and Service Coordinator Melissa Simmons, M.Ed.

Students with Disabilities – represent 11% of the college student population1   1U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2011). Digest of Education Statistics, 2010 (2011-015), Chapter 3 . Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=60

Postsecondary Legal Obligations As guided by… Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Differences at the College Level High School College Schools identify and evaluate students with disabilities. Students self-identify disability status to college. Schools provide testing and documentation. Must provide their own disability documentation. IEP documents from high school are typically not sufficient. Parents involved in placement decisions. Student is primary decision-maker.

Differences at the College Level High School College Schools may modify educational programs for students with disabilities. College not required to waive, reduce, or modify any essential requirements of a course or program. Students must meet all academic standards of a course or program. Parents own rights to student records. Students own rights to their records (FERPA). May have separate special education classes. Full inclusion.

Differences at the College Level High School College Everyone is informed about a student’s placement. Teachers have an idea about the student’s needs before the student enters the classroom. At many colleges, the student must initiate all actions regarding accommodation with each professor, for each course, every semester. Accommodations and modifications are always implemented. Students have a right to choose whether or not to use accommodations.

How can Students with Disabilities Prepare for College? 1. KNOW your diagnosis. 2. Know how it IMPACTS you. 3. Be able to DESCRIBE the services you need. 4. Ask for HELP when you run into difficulty. 5. COMMUNICATE your needs to your instructors.

The University of Akron Office of Accessibility

Our Population

Register with the OA…easy as 1-2-3 Complete online application at www.uakron.edu/access Submit current documentation from a qualified professional. Guidelines are available at www.uakron.edu/access/forms Make an appointment to meet with a Disability Specialist to determine reasonable accommodations once necessary documentation is received

Steps of registration 1). Fill out online application at www.uakron.edu/access

Steps of registration 1). Fill out online application at www.uakron.edu/access

Steps of registration 2. Upload documentation TIPS: IEP is not sufficient- Include ETR!! Have professionals link limitations to accommodation recommendations Provide current documentation REMEMBER: Services will look very differently in college!!

Steps of registration 3. Meet with a Disability Specialist Kathleen (Kelly) Kulick, M.Ed., CRC Ashley Poulos, M.Ed., PC Director Disability Specialist & Service Coor. Jessica DeFago, MA Leigh Sveda Associate Director Adaptive Technology & Service Coor. Melissa Simmons, M.Ed. Maddie Schulz Disability Specialist & Service Coor. Graduate Assistant PLEASE NOTE: In preparing to meet with your assigned DS, you must have a current class schedule and have attended New Student Orientation at The University of Akron

What do I do once I am a registered student?

Additional Supports Information sessions Academic support sessions with a Disability Specialist Individual disability related student appointments Campus physical accessibility walk-throughs

Office of Accessibility Transitioning to Higher Education Ashley Poulos and Melissa Simmons