PREPARING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION Jody Wilham, Coordinator Sharla Weathers, Director Disability Support Services

AGENDA IDEA vs 504 vs ADA Modifications vs Accommodations Receiving Disability Services Documentation Requirements Determination of Accommodations Self-Advocacy Skills College Survival Skills

IDEA 504 ADA Requirements Provides a FAPE in the LRE Provides an opportunity to be fully integrated into the mainstream to greatest extent possible 504 Extends to employment, public and private educational institutions, transportation and telecommunications ADA Requirements

Specific disability categories (educational disabilities) Not ALL are eligible IDEA Have a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities Have a record of such an impairment Are regarded as having an impairment 504 Same as 504 ADA Definitions

Receive federal funding to provide remedial services IDEA None 504 ADA Funding

Students with educational disabilities that require SPED (ages 3-21 or until graduation) IDEA Protects ALL persons with a disability from discrimination in an educational setting 504 Same as 504 ADA Who is Covered?

IDEA 504 ADA Classroom Placement LRE Elementary and Secondary Schools – Regular classroom with support services College Students – same as ADA 504 Mainstream with accommodations for those who qualify under the ADA ADA Classroom Placement

IDEA 504 ADA IEP/Accommodation IEP developed with parents, teachers and specialists IDEA Elementary and Secondary Schools – 504 developed with parents, teachers, school personnel College Students – same as ADA 504 Accommodation plan developed with student and Disability Provider ADA IEP/Accommodation

IDEA 504 ADA Services Provided Educational services that are remedial in addition to services available to all mainstream students IDEA Eliminates barriers that would prevent a student from full participation in programs/services offered to general population 504 Same as 504 ADA Services Provided

Evaluation/Documentation School district evaluates and identifies Evaluations are responsibility of the school – no expense to student Parents must consent to evaluations and placement decisions IDEA Elementary and Secondary Schools – same as IDEA College Students – same as ADA 504 Students must self-identify & provide disability documentation Evaluations/Documentations are the responsibility of the student Students advocate ADA Evaluation/Documentation

Interactive Process Pre-Meeting with DS Student obtains a copy of their disability documentation, student is enrolled in courses, student requests accommodations through DS Interactive Process Student meets with DS Provider, reasonable accommodations are discussed and determined with the student Student Responsibility Delivers their accommodation letter to instructor and discusses a plan of action for receiving designated accommodations

What I’m hearing as a DS Professional: What is a modification/accommodation? I don’t know what my disability is. Let my mom explain this to you. I can’t tell you what helps me. My school says that I have a problem but I don’t know what it is. My mom has always done that for me, can’t you talk to her?

Our Major Questions Can you tell me about you and your disability? What are your strengths and weaknesses related to education? What accommodations do you think will help and why? Have you used these accommodations before?

Our Top Ten Advocating Skills 1. Believe in yourself! Know yourself. Know where the help is. Know the law. Make your plan. Know what you need. Have a back up plan. Plan your action. Follow through. Don’t give up.

College Survival Skills Writing Skills Notetaking Study Skills Time Management Reading Technology Skills College Survival Skills

Final Thoughts! Student should be involved in the process as early as possible Gradual transition from modifications to accommodations Teach Strengths and Weakness, “What I can do” versus “What I can’t do.” Promote advocating, organization, time management, note-taking, and study skills

Questions?

Thank You! Jody Wilham, Coordinator, DSSCoordinator@uco.edu Sharla Weathers, Director, DSSDirector@uco.edu University of Central Oklahoma Disability Support Services 405-974-2516