Transitioning to Post- Secondary Education Denise McGhee, M.Ed. Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell

Barriers to College Success Diminished support system Inadequate self-advocacy skills Inadequate accommodations

Differences Between K-12 and College IDEA= Entitlement Student has RIGHT to FAPE. Emphasis on success. ADA=Eligibility Attending college is a privilege, students must be eligible. Emphasis on equal access.

Legal Differences IDEA Section 504 ADA

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504 Mandates that any entity that receives federal funds must provide full access to programs and services for individuals with disabilities. Colleges and Universities, including private institutions, have been required to provide access and services to students with disabilities since 1973 because of participation in Federal Student Aid programs.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Modeled on the Civil Rights Act All public services must be fully accessible to people with disabilities (regardless of participation in federal aid programs). Provides civil rights through fully inclusive equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Overseen by the Office of Civil Rights

Laws That Protect Individuals with Disabilities IDEASection 504ADA Public schools must provide services to students with disabilities Universities that receive federal funds must be accessible Public services must be accessible regardless of federal funds School is responsible for finding students and providing services Students are responsible for disclosure and requesting services People are responsible for disclosure and requesting services

WHO IS THE DRIVER? High School Parents/ Guardians Teachers Counselors College STUDENT

REALITY CHECK Difference between Special Education Disability Service Teachers Providers high school faculty college faculty

Teaching Self-Advocacy Skills is Key! Student needs to: Speak for themselves Understand their rights and responsibilities Understand their own strengths and weaknesses Know about their disability Know what types of supports will help them

Rights of Students with Disabilities Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs offered at the college/university Equal opportunity to learn Equal access to information, services, buildings, and academic learning opportunities Evaluated based on their ability not their disability Have a right to appeal the institutions decisions concerning accommodations

Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities Meet and maintain the institutions academic and technical standards Identify themselves to the Disability Service Office and request accommodations Provide documentation of disability Communicate with instructors about accommodations Monitor own accommodations Follow University procedures if discrimination concern arises

Setting up Accommodations STUDENT MUST: Go to Disability Service Office and register Provide documentation of disability Explain how disability impacts learning to counselor/advisor Request services in a timely manner Communicate accommodation needs with faculty

Documentation Guidelines Current Qualified evaluator Adult Norms Verify nature and extent of disability Verify a significant impairment in functioning

What about the IEP and SOP? While the IEP provides helpful information, they are NOT, in and of themselves, sufficient documentation to establish disability The SOP provides useful information, it is NOT sufficient without the original evaluation which determined the diagnosed disability attached

How current does the documentation need to be? The College is not responsible for paying for new evaluations Most colleges require assessments to be no more than 3 years old Providing the student with an updated assessment will be of great benefit

How Parents and Schools Can Prepare Students Involve students in IEP meetings Provide students with explanations of the type and purpose of evaluations Involve students in the interpretation of test results Provide self-advocacy training Provide student with complete re-evaluation during the senior year Provide student with copies of evaluations when they exit Visit colleges of interest

Types of Academic Accommodations Assistive Technology Textbooks on CD Sign Language Interpreter Reader, Scribes, Note-takers Out of class testing

Disability Support Services Will… Empower students Provide accommodations Monitor discrimination issues Ensure accessibility Protect confidentiality

Questions?