1. Office of Accessibility
University of Akron
Ashley Poulos, M.Ed., PC
Disability Specialist and Service Coordinator
Melissa Simmons, M.Ed.

2. Students with Disabilities – represent 11% of the college student population1
1U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2011). Digest of Education Statistics, 2010 ( ), Chapter 3 . Retrieved from

3. Postsecondary Legal Obligations
As guided by…
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

4. Differences at the College Level
High School
College
Schools identify and evaluate students with disabilities.
Students self-identify disability status to college.
Schools provide testing and documentation.
Must provide their own disability documentation. IEP documents from high school are typically not sufficient.
Parents involved in placement decisions.
Student is primary decision-maker.

5. Differences at the College Level
High School
College
Schools may modify educational programs for students with disabilities.
College not required to waive, reduce, or modify any essential requirements of a course or program. Students must meet all academic standards of a course or program.
Parents own rights to student records.
Students own rights to their records (FERPA).
May have separate special education classes.
Full inclusion.

6. Differences at the College Level
High School
College
Everyone is informed about a student’s placement. Teachers have an idea about the student’s needs before the student enters the classroom.
At many colleges, the student must initiate all actions regarding accommodation with each professor, for each course, every semester.
Accommodations and modifications are always implemented.
Students have a right to choose whether or not to use accommodations.

7. How can Students with Disabilities Prepare for College?
1. KNOW your diagnosis.
2. Know how it IMPACTS you.
3. Be able to DESCRIBE the services you need.
4. Ask for HELP when you run into difficulty.
5. COMMUNICATE your needs to your instructors.

8. The University of Akron Office of Accessibility

9. Our Population

10. Register with the OA…easy as 1-2-3
Complete online application at
Submit current documentation from a qualified professional. Guidelines are available at
Make an appointment to meet with a Disability Specialist to determine reasonable accommodations once necessary documentation is received

11. Steps of registration
1). Fill out online application at

12. Steps of registration
1). Fill out online application at

13. Steps of registration 2. Upload documentation TIPS:
IEP is not sufficient- Include ETR!!
Have professionals link limitations to accommodation recommendations
Provide current documentation
REMEMBER: Services will look very differently in college!!

14. Steps of registration 3. Meet with a Disability Specialist
Kathleen (Kelly) Kulick, M.Ed., CRC Ashley Poulos, M.Ed., PC
Director Disability Specialist & Service Coor.
Jessica DeFago, MA Leigh Sveda
Associate Director Adaptive Technology & Service Coor.
Melissa Simmons, M.Ed. Maddie Schulz
Disability Specialist & Service Coor. Graduate Assistant
PLEASE NOTE: In preparing to meet with your assigned DS, you must have a current class schedule and have attended New Student Orientation at The University of Akron

15. What do I do once I am a registered student?

16. Additional Supports Information sessions
Academic support sessions with a Disability Specialist
Individual disability related student appointments
Campus physical accessibility walk-throughs

17. Office of Accessibility
Transitioning to Higher Education
Ashley Poulos and Melissa Simmons