·
Guide to Exceptional Student Education
(ESE)
·
ESE Graduation
Requirements (PP)
http://www.ada.ufl.edu/publications/resourceguides/pdf/SUSG06_accessible.pdf
College Planning for Students with Special Needs
Understanding the laws. In increasing numbers, students with different disabilities are attending and succeeding in colleges and universities. With good planning, access to the necessary services and support and self-advocacy, students with disabilities are successful in college. Understanding the laws and regulations that govern access to services and supports in college is the first place to start. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibit state and local governments from discriminating on the basis of disability. The U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights enforces these laws in colleges and universities. Understanding the laws becomes critical for students with disabilities as they advocate for their rights in higher education.
ADA Q&A: Section 504 and
Postsecondary Education is a
valuable resource providing questions and answers about Section 504 as it
relates to postsecondary education for students with disabilities. Learning
more about the
Documentation. To qualify for supports and services in college, a student with a disability must identify his or her needs to the college and provide documentation. A student with a learning disability must plan ahead to be assured access to the available resources at a postsecondary school. In elementary and secondary schools, teachers and school specialists may have arranged support services for students with disabilities. However, in postsecondary schools, the students themselves must document the need for an auxiliary aid and give adequate notice of the need. Similarly, a student with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) must also document the need for an auxiliary aid and give adequate notice of the need. Qualifying for supports and services in college starts with your Individual Education Program (IEP) while you are still in middle school and high school. It is important to attend your IEP meetings and ensure that your teachers and school counselors know about your intentions to attend college.
While in high school:
· Take classes with necessary supports that are academically challenging and meet college admission requirements.
· Learn about your disability and the strategies that help you overcome your challenges.
· Take more control in the decisions that affect your life.
· Take advantage of service learning, School-to-Career, and other community experiences to learn more about yourself.
· Practice effective organizational skills and ensure that evaluations (you will need these to receive accommodations in college) and documents are in order.
Remember, in middle and high school, the help you receive is an entitlement. In college, you must advocate for what you need. Practice your skills while in high school to get the help you need so you will be prepared for college.
Course substitutions and waivers. Colleges may allow applicants and students enrolled in a program to substitute a course or waive a course. Allowing waivers or substitutions is a voluntary policy established by each college, and students should never assume a substitution or waiver will be granted in applying to or once enrolled in a college's program of study. Students who wish to pursue a course substitution or waiver are strongly advised to discuss their options with college admissions officers, disability support service coordinators at colleges, academic advisors and/or school counselors.
Online Resources for Students with Disabilities
Assistive
Technology Access Partnership (ATAP)
ATAP is designed as a statewide partnership of organizations and agencies,
each with targeted assistive technology focus, working together to provide
information and improve access to assistive technology to individuals with
disabilities.
College for
Students with Disabilities: Your Guide to RI Resources
If you receive support through an Individual Education Program (IEP) or a 504
Plan, you can learn about opportunities to pursue postsecondary education. Get
the help you need to plan and prepare for postsecondary education, identify
supports available to aid in accessing postsecondary education, and find disability-related
information about colleges in
College
and Career Programs for Deaf Students
This cyber-guide has information on postsecondary programs in the
Chadd
CHADD is the national non-profit organization representing children and adults
with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). The CHADD Web site has
information about legislative, educational, and social issues of interest to
families dealing with AD/HD.
DO-IT
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology
DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) is
dedicated to increasing the successful participation of individuals with
disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers such as those in
science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. DO-IT provides information
on transitioning from high school to college. DO-IT has many useful
publications, brochures, and videotapes, including College: You Can Do It, that
can help you reach your academic goals, and It's Your Career, for guidelines in
finding work-based learning opportunities.
Cornucopia of Disability Information
CODI serves as a resource for consumers and professionals by providing
disability information in a wide variety of areas. Click on College to access good links
for students and teachers.
Deaf Students
Education Services
The U.S. Department of Education provides additional school about part B of the
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 as they relate to the provision of appropriate education service to
students who are deaf.
HEATH Resource Center
This national clearinghouse offers a wide array of information and
resources on education for students with disabilities. Many HEATH resources,
like research and guides, are available here, including information on
financial aid for students with disabilities. This site is a major source of
information for families with special needs. Good links to other resources are
also provided.
LDOnLine
LDOnLine is the interactive guide to learning disabilities for
students, teachers and families. You'll find bulletin boards, audio clips,
articles written by leading experts, personal stories, research findings, and
the latest news in the field of learning disabilities. Pages from this site can
be translated into several different languages.
Muskingum College
This comprehensive site offers a well-organized layout of learning strategies
for specific content
areas - accounting, math, psychology, and more. The site also hosts a
student transition section that provides needed supports for the student with a
disability preparing for or attending college. A parent section provides
advocacy information to help an adolescent with a disability transition to
college.
National Attention Deficit Disorder
Association
The NADDA Web site is packed with articles, personal stories, interviews with
ADD professionals, book reviews, and links to other ADD-related sites that
provide information which can be useful for you. Information is provided on
school, career, and family issues that would be of interest to students,
families, and educators. Check out the section on ADD and schools
for practical suggestions to help make your school and college experiences more
accommodating.
Paul V. Sherlock Center (formerly the University Affiliated Program of
Rhode Island)
The
Rhode Island Department of Human Services,
Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS)
ORS Provides comprehensive
vocational rehabilitation services for students with disabilities who are
transitioning from school to employment and adults with disabilities seeking
employment. Qualified applicants can receive support in employment planning,
job-seeking skills, resume writing, vocational assessment, training (including
postsecondary education/training) and job placement.
The National
Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
NICHCY is the national information center that provides information on
disabilities and disability-related issues. Anyone can use our
services-families, educators, administrators, journalists, and students. Our
special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22).
The Office of Disability
Employment Policy of the U. S. Department of Labor
The Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U. S. Department of Labor
created this site to provide one-stop online access to resources, services, and
information available through the Federal government. The College and Adult
Education section (http: www.disability.gov/category/4) has information for the
college-bound student with disabilities.
Transition
Planning - Getting Ready for College
This a chapter from a transitions planning guide published by the Area
Resources Center of Winnebago, Boone, and
Wrightslaw
Families, advocates, educators, and attorneys visit Wrightslaw for accurate,
up-to-date information about effective advocacy for children with disabilities.
You will find hundreds of articles, cases, newsletters, and other information
about special advocacy and law libraries. The mission of Wrightslaw is to help
people advocate for children with disabilities - parents & family members,
teachers, attorneys, clergy, health care providers, and other advocates.
Articles of Interest
Attention deficit
disorder in college: Faculty and students: partners in education
Self-Advocacy
for College Students
Employment and Work-Based
Learning Activities for College Students with Disabilities
This booklet promotes the importance of work activities, and work-based
learning, to your college experience. It urges all students with disabilities
to take key steps that will enhance their career opportunities. Its premise is
that by combining academic study with more work experiences, you will be better
prepared for the workforce.
Ways
that Students Can Help Themselves
College Students with Learning Disabilities: A Handbook