Disability Services in Higher Education

Support Services

To effectively work with disability offices in college

• Connect with the disability office as early as possible to understand documentation requirements and to register for services. 
• Contact the disability services office to understand the processes and services offered.
• Laws are very different between high school and college disability services. There are no IEP or 504 plans in college, but the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures equal access and accommodations in college. Accommodations are provided, but not modifications. 

Review the following information about disability services at college from the U.S. Department of Education: Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education | U.S. Department of Education. 

At post-secondary institutions, students have the responsibility to: 

• Self-identify or disclose their disability to the designated office for disability services  
• Provide documentation from an appropriate professional source that verifies the nature of the disability, functional limitations, and the need for specific accommodations
• Act as independent adults and use appropriate self-advocacy skills 
• Arrange for and obtain their own personal assistants, tutoring, and individually designed assistive technology

 
Post-secondary institutions are not required to:

• Reduce or waive any of the essential requirements of a course or program 
• Conduct testing and assessment of learning, psychological or medical disabilities 
• Provide personal assistants 
• Provide personal or private tutoring 
• Prepare Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s)

Research how to register and interact with your campus disability office. Ask your office if you can have a prospective student appointment if you are unsure how to work with their office.