Making a Successful Transition from High School to College Susan Hannifan, MS, CRC Disability Services Counselor Piedmont Virginia Community College Charlottesville, Virginia

Disability Support Services (DSS) Available on all college campuses Assistance available for students with documented disabilities.

Student Responsibilities Make the initial contact with the Disability Services office on campus Provide documentation of your disability Be prepared to discuss your disability and request the accommodations needed

Important Skills for Students with Disabilities Self awareness: Know your own strengths and limitations Self advocacy: Be comfortable asking for help Benefits: Self confidence and empowerment

Important Skills for Students with Disabilities Knowledge of your learning styles Awareness of your disability and its affect on learning/work Awareness of personal preferences and interests Knowledge of post-secondary options

Understand How College Differs from High School Less structure More flexibility in schedule More reading and writing Increased, more intensive, workload Less personal attention/no special education No IEP’s in college

Disability Support Services (DSS) Students are encouraged to contact DSS prior to or upon admission. To be eligible, students must provide current and comprehensive documentation of a disability and the need for academic accommodations. What is considered proper and complete documentation?

Disclosing my Disability Admissions decisions are made without regard to disabilities. Students must disclose their disability to DSS in order to receive accommodations. Colleges and universities are not accountable for providing accommodations to students who have made no request for them

Frequently asked Questions about DSS Will students receive the same services as in high school? Who is an individual with a disability? What are the responsibilities of the student with the disability? How does the DSS office determine and communicate a student’s accommodations to faculty?

Preparing for College While in HS Students need to participate in the development of their IEP’s and post secondary goals. If interested in health care, take biology, chemistry and math in high school. Engineering and computer science programs require proficiency in higher level math (Calculus, Trigonometry).

Preparing for College While in HS Explore colleges Complete a career assessment or vocational evaluation Take the SAT or ACT If planning to attend a community college, may need to take the placement assessment.

Preparing for College Now Continue to develop self advocacy skills Visit college campuses Obtain copies of IEP, educational evaluations and/or medical records

Preparing for College Now Contact the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing or the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to determine eligibility for services while in college.

Resources Life after High School – VA College Quest – The College Board – Educational Testing Service – Association for Higher Education and Disability –