Transition From High School to College Building Bridges: 1

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Why Attend College? Increasing earning power Career preparation Learning opportunities Studying new and different subjects Involvement in extracurricular activities Meeting new and interesting people Achieving a personal goal Influence of family and friends 3

Types of Higher Education Institutions Junior or Community College Technical-Vocational programs College (4 year) University 4

Entering college is an adjustment for ANY student (You are not alone!) College is an achievable goal for students with the skill and determination (1 out of every 11 college students report having a disability) College is… 5

All Colleges want to see you graduate and be successful Don’t hesitate to use the help that is available – that is why it exists. And… 6

College is different from High School College admissions or the college application won’t ask if you have a disability……it’s against the law! Admissions criteria won’t be waived or lowered because you have a disability…..but in order to receive accommodations you must :  Disclose  Disclose your disability:  Contact the disability services office at the college you plan to attend  Describe your disability and how it affects you in school 7

High School ≠ College Issue High School College IdentificationSchool Student AssessmentSchool Student Making requestsSchool/ParentStudent AdvocacySchool/ParentStudent Decision MakingSchool/ParentStudent Transition PlanSchool Student AccommodationsSchool College 8

High School ≠ College High school (IDEA) = Education Law:  School is responsible for success College (ADAAA) = Civil Rights Law  Student is responsible for success High School is a TEACHING environment College is a LEARNING environment. College Provides Access 9

Getting Started Even though you graduated from high school, you haven’t “graduated” from your disability The challenge is not getting INTO college, but successfully getting out!......take advantage of the supports available! “I was too embarrassed to use accommodations until I started flunking. Use what they offer you to be successful!” ……………college senior with S.L.D. 10

What do you think? (Video) How would you define the word disability? How would you describe your disability? What is the biggest challenge you face in school or everyday living because of your disability? What are some creative ways you have solved the challenges presented by your disability? What are some positive aspects of your disability? college.org/myplace/disability.html college.org/myplace/disability.html 11

Accommodations To receive accommodations, you need to: Have a disability. Describe how it impacts you in a school setting. Provide evidence about your disability Develop a reasonable accommodation using this evidence * * You will work together with the disability professional at the college to develop a reasonable accommodation plan. 12

Documentation/Evaluation Each college has its own requirements about the type of documentation you may need. Colleges are not required to conduct or pay for an evaluation to document your disability. 13

Disclosure of Disability When to Disclose:  Prior to Enrollment  At the time of enrollment  During your course of study *NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS YOU DISCLOSE* 14

*NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS YOU DISCLOSE* 15 You are under no obligation to reveal information about your disability to anyone at anytime. However, in order to receive accommodations in college you must make those needs known and request accommodations.

Accommodations Accommodations are intended to level the playing field so you have equal opportunity to access programs, activities and services of the college. will not: Accommodations will not: Alter the requirements of a program, course or test Guarantee passing grades Provide an unfair advantage Examples (of accommodations): Extra time (tests/assignments) Tests read Textbooks on CD or audio format Copies of notes/note takers Sign language interpreters Tests taken in alternate place Use of assistive technology or software 16

Changing Role of Parents ● Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ● Signed Consent Form ● Organization & Encouragement 17

Changing Role of Students Self-Advocacy ● Understand disability ● Describe disability ● Know your learning style ● Know which accommodations work for you ● Communicate needs to college personnel ● Speak up 18

Advocacy Plan (Video) Be an advocate Effectively communicate What are your rights? 19

Self-Advocacy The ability to speak and act on behalf of one’s self. The person who cares the most about your rights is you. Implementing accommodations at college involves the faculty, student, and disabilities support services office working together. You are an important part of this communication system! 20

Be Able to Communicate: General information about your disability Academic accommodations that have worked for you in the past Type of academic accommodations you anticipate needing in college How your disability and other life experiences can affect your course of study positively Focus on your abilities and strengths Make sure to get a copy of your documentation (IEP and MDT) before you leave high school. 21

Top 10 Tips 1. Talk with people who know you best and who have graduated from college (e.g., parents, siblings, teachers). 2. Attend college and university fairs at your high school or in the community. 3. Visit the campuses you are most interested in 4. Visit websites if you aren’t able to visit all of your choices. 5. Contact the admissions office of the college. 22

Top 10 Tips 6. Talk with Disability Services at the colleges. 7. Disclose your disability 8. Know how you learn 9. Ask for help (Nothing will happen unless you ask!) 10. ADVOCATE for yourself! (YOU are the director of your services!) 23

Additional Information/Resources…. Going to College: college.org/ college.org/ Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD): WINAHEAD: 24

Remember: Education is NOT entertainment! It’s hard work! If college degrees were easy……everyone would have one! One thing a college degree says……is that you stick with something until you complete it! 25

WIN AHEAD Western Iowa & Nebraska Association of Higher Education And Disability This presentation brought to you by: Videos courtesy of Going to College: 26