Students with Disabilities: Preparing for Post-Secondary Education DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) Debra Zawada, Program Coordinator

DO-IT DO-IT is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility—in both the classroom and the workplace—to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.

Increase the success of people with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. Promote the application of universal design to physical spaces, information technology, instruction, and services. Freely distribute online content, publications, and videos for use in presentations, exhibits, and the classroom. Provide resources for students with disabilities, K- 12 educators, postsecondary faculty and administrators, librarians, employers, parents, and mentors.

Transition to Post-Secondary Education Disability Law Self-Determination/Self Advocacy Disability Disclosure Academic Accommodations Assistive Technology

Laws Drive The System K-12 system only Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Improvement Act 2004 (IDEA) K-12 and Post-secondary system Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ADA * not all students with disabilities receive services in K-12

I.D.E.A. Special Education Law Applies to the K-12 system ONLY –Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) –Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) –Individual Education Plan (IEP) –Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) –Requires Scheduled Assessment (Re-evals) (creates a culture)

Section 504 / ADA (K-12, postsecondary) –Provides for “Equal Access” through Reasonable Accommodations –To “Otherwise Qualified Individuals” while –Maintaining “Essential Course Requirements”

Disability Law Resources Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators: Office of Civil Rights Parent Letter: Difference between K-12 and Post-secondary Education education/ What Parents and Students With Disabilities Should Know About College

A Self-Determined Person Defines success. Sets personal, academic, and career goals. Keeps expectations high. Understands abilities and disabilities. Plays to strengths. Develops strategies to meet goals. Uses technology as an empowering tool. Perseveres. Is flexible. Works hard. Develops a support network…family, friends, and teachers.

How is Self-Determination Learned ? Through real-world experience Involves taking risks, making mistakes, and reflecting on outcomes Test strengths and limitations Identify appropriate short/long-term goals. Open, supportive acknowledgement and discussion of their disability. Does this happen at school?

Steps to Self-Determination Source: National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, Improving Secondary Education and Transition Services through Research, 2003, Volume 2, Issue 1National Center on Secondary Education and Transition Promote choice making Encourage exploration of possibilities Promote reasonable risk taking Encourage problem solving Promote self advocacy Facilitate development of self-esteem Develop Goal Setting and Planning Help youth understand their disabilities

Self-Determination Resources Taking Charge: Stories of Success and Self-Determination success-and-self-determination Self-Determination for Postsecondary Students Self-Determination: Supporting Successful Transition

Importance of Disclosure/Documentation Student decision to disclose a disability at college No services without disclosure “Appropriate Documentation” needed to support disclosure if requesting accommodations

Documentation Gap Documentation required (qualified professional) K-12 Re-evaluations IEP, may not be enough (mandate to qualify for sp. ed. services only) Documentation Requirements vary by college 504/ADA/Colleges no provision for disability evaluations

Disclosure/Documentation Resources AHEAD, Supporting Accommodation Requests: Guidance on Documentation Practices - April University of Washington Disability Resources for Students students/documentation-guidelines/ The 411 on Disability Disclosure

Reasonable Academic Accommodations Level the playing field Essential course content remains the same Supports high academic standards Unique to individual/task/environment Based on documentation No changes in course requirements

Accommodation Resources Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities PACER Center ADA Q & A: Section 504 & Postsecondary Education An Accommodation Model

College Testing Accommodations College Board Students with Disabilitieshttps://sat.collegeboard.org/register/fo r-students-with-disabilitieshttps://sat.collegeboard.org/register/fo r-students-with-disabilities ACT Services for Examinees with Disabilities

Assistive Technology (AT) Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.

Assistive Technology Many students with disabilities have not used AT in K-12 system Need increases as demands increase. Isolate limitations Research solutions

Common AT Solutions Text to Speech Speech to Text Magnification Mind Mapping Smart Pens

AT Resources Access to Technology: An Online Tutorial Wrights Law Assistive Technology Devices and Services CSUN Conference Proceedings

Tips for a success transition Create positive awareness of disability. Relate limitations to assessment/disability documentation. Actively involve student in IEP, Transition or other planning early. Increase student responsibility for accessing accommodations in high school. Experiment with AT while in high school! Encourage students to problem solve for themselves. Allow some failure! Check in frequently with students to encourage their success. Work with the students (not for them).

DO-IT College: You Can Do It! College: You Can Do-It! Video Preparing for College: An Online Tutorial College Survival Skills DO-IT Scholars