Preparing For College As A Student With A Disability

As a student with a disability, you have the right to… continue your education in postsecondary schools, including vocational and career schools, two- and four- year colleges, and universities be well informed about your rights and responsibilities as well as the responsibilities postsecondary schools have toward you have the full opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the postsecondary education experience without confusion or delay

Differences Between High School and College Required to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Knows you have a disability because of your Individual Education Plan (IEP) Mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Required to provide appropriate academic adjustments as necessary to ensure that it does not discriminate on the basis of disability Will only know that you have a disability if you notify them and provide support documentation. Mandated under Agency of Persons with Disabilities (APD)

In Order to Receive services in post secondary education.. You must contact the Office for Students with Disabilities at the Institution you attend. The below information is for Lake Sumter State College, but many colleges have similar procedures.

Apply to Lake Sumter State College (LSCC) Process of Applying and Accessing the Office for Students with Disabilities at LSCC Apply to Lake Sumter State College (LSCC) Apply for financial aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov) Take the PERT Placement test Register with the Office for Students with Disabilities at LSCC

Registering with the Office for Students with Disabilities at LSCC Students new to OSD call 352-365-3589 to discuss potential services required documentation Provide the OSD with your disability documentation for review. If the documentation supports eligibility for services, then an intake appointment will be set up. After the intake process is completed and the student is registered for classes, the student will need to request "Instructor Notification Letters (INL's)".  It is the student's responsibility to submit an "Instructor Notification Letter Request Form," along with the copy of a "detailed schedule" from LOIS.  Forms must be submitted each term   It is the student's responsibility to contact instructors about accommodation needs. The student must present the INL in order to receive accommodations.  The process can take several weeks so begin early. Services or accommodations can only be provided for a student who provides proper documentation.

Examples of Accommodations offered at Lake-Sumter State College Large print and Braille materials Closed Captioning TV's Use of digital recorders Readers/Scribes Books in alternative formats Extended time on tests and quizzes Instructor notification Testing in a distraction reduced environment Supportive counseling (for the purpose of referral to community services) Sign language interpreters Notetakers Assistive Technologies/ Software JAWS ZoomText Open Book Dragon Naturally Speaking Kurzwiel Ease Reader Snap and Read

Final Thoughts Students with disabilities who know their rights and responsibilities are much better equipped to succeed in postsecondary school. We encourage you to work with the staff at your school because they, too, want you to succeed. Seek the support of family, friends, and fellow students, including those with disabilities. Know your talents and capitalize on them, and believe in yourself as you embrace new challenges in your education. More information can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html