1. Alice Wershing, M.Ed., A.T.P., C.P.A.C.C.
What you need to know: Transitioning to Higher Ed for Students with Disabilities
Alice Wershing, M.Ed., A.T.P., C.P.A.C.C.
Technology Specialist, Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville TN
Regional Accessibility Specialist, Tennessee Board of Regents, TNecampus

2. Objectives
Compare and contrast differences in services between K-12 and Post- Secondary Institutions for students with disabilities Identify differences between accommodations available at Post- Secondary institutions vs. K-12 Develop an understanding of shifts and how to prepare for the transition to Post Secondary options for students with disabilities

3. Poll

4. Perspective What I’ve learned (and continue to learn) As an educator
As an AT service provider
As a parent
As a sibling
As staff in Disability Services at an institution in Higher Ed

5. The K-12 Experience The impact of differentiation
The impact of good intervention
What comes after graduation

6. The AT Experience Tools for remediation Tools for skill mastery
Tools for differentiation
Tools for independence
Changes in technology in the past 30 years
Accessibility
Substantial equivalent ease of use

7. The Parent Experience The College Journey is Daunting Challenging
Scary
Anxiety producing
The waiting is the hardest part

8. The Higher Education Experience
What I’ve learned (and continue to learn)
As an educator
As an AT service provider
As a parent
As staff in Disability Services at an institution in Higher Ed

9. Transition Plans
What it includes
Pacer
Purpose
Begins at age 14

10. Higher Education: What’s different
Post Secondary is a different world
Focus is on the student , not the parent
Navigating the system can be challenging
The curriculum is not changed, no differentiation or modification
No “do overs”
Different laws determine options
Assistive technology options may be different
Students must advocate for themselves

11. The Current Landscape Focus on Employment Soft skills Retention
PEAT
ODEP
Soft skills
Retention
Higher Education Options for Students with Disabilities
4 year experience: UT Chattanooga
Certificate programs: UT Knoxville, Vanderbilt

12. Teaching to Fish

13. The Search Begins Student preferences
Impact of new programs (TN Promise)
Certificate vs. degree
Available supports
Vocational Rehabilitation

14. Starting at the End and Working Backwards
Student preferences
What is the goal for a year out of High school?
Five years out?
Certificate vs. degree
Universal Design
Accessibility issues
Available supports
Vocational Rehabilitation

15. Career Assessments Student preferences
Impact of new programs (TN Promise)
Certificate vs. degree
Available supports
Vocational Rehabilitation
When College may not be the best fit

16. Life Long Learning We all need supports and scaffolds as we learn
Consider your own learning styles along with that of your students’
Change and transition may already be challenging
Prepare a plan with backups
Ask for assistance

17. Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a term used by Vygotsky to refer to the structure that adults provide to children as they develop new skills. 
The idea is that a light framework helps to support new skills as the child is stretching beyond their current, stable abilities.  They can reach higher because the scaffolding provides extra support. 
When the child can do it themselves, the support is removed.  And just like a building supported by scaffolding during construction, stands on its own.

18. The Focus Shift: The FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal privacy law that gives parents certain protections with regard to their children's education records, such as report cards, transcripts, disciplinary records, contact and family information, and class schedules
Unless the student has signed this document, the service providers will not be able to talk with family members in specifics regarding student needs

19. But I had it in High School
College is different, regardless
Every student has needs that are unique
Learning a new way of doing things
What happened in High School stays in High School
There is no legislation at the postsecondary level that entitles you to the same level of academic support that you receive in high school. This means that if you have an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or any accommodations or modifications, they will not necessarily transfer into the college setting.

20. Remediation vs. Access
Questions to Consider 1. Student background knowledge 2. Student academic experience in K Reading, Writing and Math 4. Scaffolding needs 5. Resources available on campus 6. Resources available in the local community

21. What it looks like: K-12 All text is read to students
Someone scribes written work
Assistance for managing homework assignments
Communication from school staff to home
Assistance getting to and from class
Modified assignments
Modified language on assignments and tests (differentiation)
Assistance by paid staff in class

22. Post Secondary Focus Use of technology for reading text materials
Independent writing of assignments
Student must manage homework and assignments
Student must communicate what’s going on at school
Student has to learn to get to class (how and when)
Student is responsible for communicating with instructors and Disability Services
The test is the test, the assignment is the assignment (the accommodation plan dictates options for testing, extra time and use of technology)
When assistance is needed in class, it is provided by the student
When assistance is needed in class, it must be separate than for academics

23. Completing the Self-Disclosure Form
Why Students Don’t Disclose
Do students understand their functional limitations?
Section 504

24. Documentation: Higher Ed Rules
Each Institution is Different
4 year
2 year
IEP
504 plan
Testing on an adult scale
Checking insurance
Finding local resources

25. The Accommodation Plan
How it differs
Accommodation options
Focus is on access
Student choice
Self advocacy
Moving to independence
Higher Ed Compliance

26. Accommodations and Testing
ACT
SAT
Placement tests
When students don’t want accommodations
The purpose of providing testing accommodations is to enable individuals with disabilities to demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter being tested not to provide lesser academic or professional standards for people with disabilities. Accommodations may affect how a test is taken, but not what it measures. (Pacer)

27. What Students Can Do to Get Ready
Become aware of assistive technology
Visit the Disability Services Office
Know your options
Begin to take an active role in planning
Explore technology options including assistive technology
Establish routines
Work with an AT Specialist
Explore options for independence

28. What Education Staff Can Do
Become aware of assistive technology
Oversite of transition plan goals
Explore opportunities for students
Connect to Higher Education in your area
Explore options for independence
Provide opportunities for practice of independent skills
Work on soft skills

29. What Family Members Can Do
Become aware of assistive technology
Oversite of transition plan goals
Connect with current educational staff
Connect to Higher Education in your area
Explore options for independence
Talk with other families
Work on soft skills
Be ready to explain things
Encourage independence

30. And then…. Be patient, it’s stressful on all sides Ask questions
Take it one day if not one minute at a time
It’s all going to work out
If it doesn’t, things are not set in concrete
Find what works for you
Take care of yourself in the process

31. The Challenges Learning new territory Letting go of previous roles
Knowing when to step in (and out again)
The paperwork and forms and deadlines
The unknown is scary
Being patient
Not getting overwhelmed

32. Once there is a Decision!
Get started early
Putting supports in place
How to teach fishing
Listening
Progress not perfection

33. The New Team The Coordinator in Disability Services
The AT Specialist (if there is one)
New Student Orientation
Tutoring
TRIO

34. Where to Turn ODEP Pacer
Disability Offices at Individual Institutions
Pellissippi State
Social Media
PSTCC Disability Services Facebook, Twitter, Blog
Grown and Flown
Helping College Bound Teens with Disabilities

35. Alice’s Information
Office of Disability Services, Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville TN