1. Students with disabilities at college – What Students Need to Know
Cynthia Woiderski
Woiderski Training and Consulting, LLC
2016

2. 6 Keys to Success:
Know the differences between high school and college
Know what to do when
Know what professors expect
Know the academic environment
Know how to study & learn independently
Know why students fail/ why they succeed
This presentation will review 6 keys to success at a college or university for students with a disability.
The first key is to understand the differences between high school and college.
Second, know what to do when. In other words: know what is expected of you, and the deadlines.
Third, know what professors expect of you.
Fourth, know and understand the academic environment at a university.
Fifth, know how to study & learn independently.
And the final key to success which will be explored is why some students fail and why some succeed.

3. High School vs. College:
Major difference is the laws
Different laws lead to different types of accommodations
One of the major differences between high schools and colleges are the federal laws.
Different laws lead to different types of accommodations available.

4. High School vs. College:
Right to a free and appropriate public education.
Emphasis on success (may lead to modifying standards)
Attending college is a privilege. Students must be eligible.
Emphasis on equal access (standards are not modified)
The government requires local education agencies, or (LEAs), to provide students with a free and appropriate education. This is a basic right for all children.
Post-secondary education on the other hand is considered a privilege and students must pay and be eligible to attend.
For most universities, this means obtaining a certain score on the SAT.
Community colleges have an open door policy, but then students must become eligible to enroll in certain courses, based on assessment results.
Universities are not required to modify the standards for a course if a student cannot pass because of a disability.

5. Success Access What Does This Mean? K-12 College What does this mean?
Whether we like to admit it or not, the laws dictate our goals.
The goal for K-12 is success.
How do you measure that a student has been successful in High School?
Graduation!
In college the goal is equal access; you will not be denied admission just because of a disability but you must meet the requirements, with or without an accommodation.

6. Documentation Needed to Access Services:
Different at every school and different by types of disabilities
Must demonstrate current functional limitations
Documentation requirements differ greatly in colleges and universities, especially for students with learning disabilities or cognitive impairments. Most high schools no longer provide aptitude assessments and most universities still require them.
Some community colleges will now accept the IEP or 504 plan. If the student transfers to a university after 2 years, they may no longer be eligible for services based on the high school IEP without the aptitude assessment. If a transfer is even remotely possible in your future, discover what the documentation requirements are at all potential schools.
The documentation must be sufficient to support the requested accommodations, and identify the current functional limitations.
Documentation for a math learning disability is not going to allow for extended time on tests in history or biology.
In the same way, documentation from a physician for ADHD is not necessarily going to allow a student more time to complete tests without supplemental information.

7. What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
Effective:
producing the intended or expected effect
reasonable vs. preferred
What is a reasonable accommodation in college?
Something that is effective for the student.
Colleges will sometimes offer a reasonable accommodation instead of the preferred accommodation.

8. Reasonable Accommodations Examples:
Captions on videos
Recording lectures
Braille
Books in electronic format
Special tables
Access in labs
The accommodations available in college are different at every school.
Examples of reasonable accommodations at most colleges may include:
Captions on videos;
Audio recording lectures;
Braille books and handouts;
Books in electronic format;
Special height adjustable tables;
And Access in laboratories.

9. More Reasonable Accommodations:
Alternate tests (audio, extra time, braille)
Reduced distraction area for tests
Qualified interpreters
Note-taking assistance
Real time transcription services
Materials provided electronically
Other Reasonable accommodations include:
Alternate tests, such as audio tests, extra time for assessments, or braille;
Reduced distraction area for tests, sometimes a quiet room;
Qualified interpreters;
Note-taking assistance;
Real time transcription services; and
Materials provided electronically.
The reasonableness of an accommodation depends on the impact of the disability.

10. NON Examples: Untimed tests Attendants
Individually prescribed devices (glasses, canes, wheelchairs, hearing aids, computers, etc.)
Readers for personal use or study
Other devices of a personal nature
Services that are Not considered reasonable include:
Untimed tests;
Attendants (students must hire and pay for their own attendants if needed);
Individually prescribed devices such as glasses, canes, wheelchairs, hearing aids, or special computers;
Readers for personal use or homework (although you can request materials electronically);
Or other devices of a personal nature.

11. Know What to do When: Before classes begin…….
Contact/visit disability service office
Provide current documentation with functional limitations
The second key to success is Knowing What to do When.
While the process is a little different at each institution, most follow this pattern:
First the student must contact/visit the disability office,
(informing Admissions, Financial Aid, Campus Life, a professor, or an academic advisor does not usually work.)
Second, provide current documentation with functional limitations.
Once a decision has been made, the office produces some type of Accommodation Letter for instructors.
In some colleges, the student delivers the letter, sometimes it is ed directly to faculty.
In most schools, the student must dialogue with instructors before receiving any services.

12. Know What to do When… Before classes begin…….
Decide what type of assistive technology could be most beneficial.
Purchase and learn how to use technology.
Before classes begin,
Learn about assistive technology and decide what type could be most beneficial.
Purchase the software or equipment and learn how to use.
Become proficient BEFORE classes begin.

13. Know What to do When: Before classes begin…….
Register for classes early
Check on classroom accessibility
Submit requests for alternative media if necessary
Find out when registration begins and register as early as possible.
If you have physical limitations, check on classroom accessibility before classes begin.
Find out when the request for alternative media is due; some schools may require 6 to 8 weeks for textbooks or to hire interpreters.

14. What Professors Expect:
To be notified early with accommodation requests; usually 2 weeks before a test.
For students to come to class with reading and other assignments already completed.
The third key is finding out what professors expect from students.
Most college professors want to be notified early with accommodation requests; usually 2 weeks before a test. At some colleges and depending on your disability, you do not have to disclose your disability, but the responsibility for ensuring accommodations are in place falls on the student.
Secondly, college professors expect students to come to class with the reading and other assignments already completed.

15. What Professors Expect:
Communicate effectively in writing
IMHO, u def WILL NOT get a TMB to an IDGI. KWIM?
Ability to comprehend college textbooks.
Find extra information outside of class when needed.
Third, Professors expect you to communicate effectively in writing.
In my humble opinion, you definitely will not get a text-me-back to an I don’t get it. Know what I mean?
Fourth, Professors expect you to read and comprehend the textbook.
Professors also expect you to find extra information outside of class to supplement your learning, including finding tutors if necessary.

16. What Professors Expect:
Comprehend complex ideas and argue different points of view
Turn in all work on time
Attend class
All college students are expected to comprehend complex ideas and be able to argue different points of view.
Professors expect you to turn in all your work on time.
And finally, you are expected to attend class.

17. The Academic Environment:
Reliance on note taking and reading comprehension to learn material
Test items may include material not reviewed in class
Expectation that students can “self teach” outside of the classroom
The fourth key to success is understanding the different academic environment.
In universities, students rely heavily on notes and reading comprehension to learn the material, not just lectures.
Items on the test may include material not reviewed in class; only mentioned in the textbook.
Universities have the expectation that students can “self-teach” outside of the classroom.

18. The Academic Environment:
Biggest time Management issues…
For 12 credit hours expect hours of homework per week for a total of 36 – 48 hrs.
May only have 1 to 3 classes a day; large gaps in-between.
Another difference in the Academic Environment is the amount of time spent learning outside of the classroom.
This causes big time management issues for some people.
One rule of thumb is to expect 3 hours outside of classroom studying for every hour inside the classroom.
So for 12 credit hours expect another 36 hours of homework per week for a total of 48 hrs.
You may only have 1 to 3 classes a day with large gaps in-between.
Manage your time wisely and make good use of those gaps by re-writing your notes or preparing for the next class.

19. The Academic Environment:
The Syllabus
Very Important contract
Expectations -- objectives
Exam dates
Assignment due dates
Classroom ethics
The Syllabus in an important part of the academic environment in college.
It is an extremely important document at most colleges.
It is your contract between you and the professor.
It normally includes the expectations and objectives of the course.
Exam dates for the entire semester are included.
The due dates and requirements for all assignments including reading assignments will be explained.
The expected classroom ethics are usually included.

20. The Academic Environment:
More on the Syllabus…
Office hours of professor
Textbooks: required vs. recommended Note: read chapter before lecture
Use syllabus for time management -- critical tool
The professor’s office hours and the preferred method for contact is usually first on the syllabus.
Also listed will be the required and recommended books and the reading assignments.
Note, in college you are expected to read the chapters BEFORE the lecture, so you go to class prepared.
From the first week, you will have all the due dates for the entire semester. You can use the syllabus as a critical tool to manage your time!
You can find out if your tests are spread out, or you will have a test in every course the fourth week of school!

21. Study Skills and Habits:
Learn how to study – form new study habits if necessary.
Study before and after each class.
Set realistic goals for each session.
The fifth key to success is effective study skills.
Studying in college may be different than high school—be prepared to form new habits if necessary.
Study each topic before and after class, especially if you have gaps between courses.
Learn to set realistic goals for each session. For some people this means set time to work as a goal, instead of finishing a large project.

22. Study Skills and Habits:
Make a schedule of study times for each day of the week – stick to it
Keep a journal or calendar for due dates for assignments.
Take short breaks when needed.
Most students benefit from making a schedule of study times for each day of the week. The hardest part is to stick to it!
Keep one journal or calendar with all due dates for assignments and exams for all courses.
Remember, for most people, taking short breaks can often be beneficial.

23. Study Skills and Habits: Note taking…
Good notes = easier and more successful studying and exam grades
Learn to distinguish what is most important during lectures
Listen/Process while taking notes, or record
Re-write notes after class
Note taking is an important part of your study skills.
Having good notes to study from leads to better studying and better exam grades.
Learn to distinguish what is most important during lectures and try not to write everything down.
Most beginners only write down what they understand.
Listen and process while taking notes. If you cannot, get permission to audio record the lectures.
Re-write your notes after class. Add items, look things up if necessary.

24. Study Skills and Habits: Study Groups…
Two or more students study together to work out concepts
Some students who join study groups perform better on exams
Study groups provide motivation to succeed and complete the work
Study groups can be an important resource.
Study groups are simply 2 or more students studying together to help each other work out concepts.
Most colleges expect students to form their own study groups.
Some students who join study groups perform better on exams.
Students can help motivate each other to finish the work and come to the group prepared.

25. Study Skills and Habits: Study Groups…
Allows the students to hear different view points from other classmates.
Help understand difficult concepts from class.
Use as only part of study time
Another advantage of study groups is that it allows you to hear different view points.
Classmates can help you understand difficult concepts from class.
Study groups work best when used as only part of the study time for the course.

26. Why Students Fail: Poor time management and/or no balance
Lack of determination (motivation)
Just do homework instead of studying
Lack of Attendance
The sixth and final key for success is to know why some students fail and why some students succeed.
The list of why some students fail includes:
Poor time management, or no balance between social life and academics;
Lack of determination or motivation to do the hard work is another reason;
Just doing homework and not studying enough; and
Poor attendance.

27. Why Students Fail: Dependence on, or blaming others Procrastination
Minimal support to succeed
Afraid to ask for help
Some students fail because they depend on others;
They procrastinate, and do a “rush job” on the assignments or studying for an exam.
Some students do not have the emotional or family support and encouragement.
Some students are afraid to ask for help.

28. Why Students Succeed: Accept Responsibility Advocate for self
Learn effective ways to learn
Institutional social involvement
It is important to know that students with disabilities DO graduate from colleges and universities!
These students tend to
Accept responsibility for their own success.
Learn to advocate for themselves
Learn effective ways to learn, acknowledging their disability and their strengths.
Most successful students also are involved in the institution socially, belonging to clubs or organizations.

29. Why Students Succeed: Positive healthy relationships
Lean to ask for help
Work Hard
Set goals -- beyond college
Successful students have positive healthy relationships.
They learn to ask for help, from professors, tutors or staff.
Successful students work hard.
And successful students set goals for themselves, including for beyond college.

30. Success Means… Graduation! It can be done! Success means Graduation!
Watching students with disabilities go across the stage during commencement is one of my favorite times of the year.
It happens all the time,
It can be done!

31. Woiderski Training and Consulting, LLC
Thank you!
Cynthia Woiderski
Woiderski Training and Consulting, LLC
2016
This information is not copyright protected.
Please feel free to use, copy or share.
August 31, 2016