Disability Services in Higher Education

Differences in High School vs. College 1.All students must meet same standard 2.Responsibility shift 3.Confidentiality 4.Documentation

 All students must meet the same standard (typically this means take same tests, write same papers, etc.)  However, students with a disability can use accommodations to meet that standard. (extra time, a reader, etc.)  Goal is for all students to have an “equal playing field.” Meeting the same standard

 Unlike high school, colleges are not responsible for identifying and evaluating potential students with disabilities.  Students have the responsibility of disclosing their disability to the disability services office if they seek accommodations. Responsibility shift

Responsibility shift – cont.  Student is responsible for self-advocacy. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for help when help is needed.  Teachers may not always remind students of incomplete or missing work.

Confidentiality  In high school often times students are labeled as a special education student.  In college, students are not labeled and are not served separately from other students.

Confidentiality – cont.  In high school, school personnel talk freely with parents about student progress and planning.  In college, personnel cannot discuss a student without their written permission. Faculty are only notified of required accommodations.

Documentation  Students are responsible for obtaining appropriate documentation of their disability from a qualified professional.  Once in college, if students suspect that they have a disability but do not have appropriate documentation, the student is responsible for seeking an evaluation and paying for that evaluation. The DSS office can provide you with a referral list in order to seek an evaluation.

What is appropriate documentation?  Some schools may require more documentation than others but all schools will require you to provide documentation prepared by a qualified professional. The student is responsible for any fees associated with obtaining required documentation.

Who is a qualified professional?  This depends on the type of disability; for medical conditions, a medical doctor; for psychiatric conditions, a psychiatrist, therapist, psychologist, or social worker; for learning disabilities, a psycho- educational evaluation from a school psychologist or clinical neuro- psychologist.

What should be included in the documentation?  Diagnostic statement identifying the disability.  Description of diagnostic methodology used.  Description of functional limitations.  Description of expected progression or stability of the disability.  Recommendations for accommodations.

Is an IEP or Section 504 plan acceptable documentation?  This may depend upon the college - Ask. Usually an IEP or 504 plan alone, is not sufficient documentation for most colleges.  Services provided in college are no longer governed by IDEA. College presents different demands than high school. What a student needs to meet these new demands may be different.

What are common accommodations at the college level?  Extended testing time (typically time and a half)  Testing in a quiet area  Readers for exams  Note takers  Use of a tape recorder  Use of a calculator  Scribes for exams  Interpreters

Unreasonable accommodations 1.Fundamental alteration – accommodations can not reduce academic standards of the college. 2.Undue hardship – if accommodation costs too much or if organization does not have resources to respond to request.(This generally has not held up in court when relating to colleges, the college’s overall budget is taken into consideration not the DSS budget) 3.Personal service – services that a person with a disability would use regardless of attendance at college.

What are unreasonable accommodations?  Independent living services  Mental health services  Rehabilitation services  Providing a personal aide  Providing a wheelchair  Providing glasses

When should students request services?  The sooner the better.  Students may request accommodations at any time, however it is recommended that students make an appointment with the appropriate individual as soon as they sign up for classes.  Accommodations are not retroactive.