Something For Everyone

Do you believe that college is unattainable for students with disabilities or special needs? Not so. Actually, most colleges are prepared to accept and support students with all kinds of differences – -learning, physical, and mental challenges. There are even schools with special programs that support specific groups of students. Marshall University in West Virginia, for example, has a program for students with Asperger's that provides supervised living and life skills training. Check it out:

http://www.marshall.edu/collegeprogram/files/2013/01/CollegeProgramBrochure.pdf

While most colleges have disability offices where students can secure help in accessing the school's curriculum and activities (note taking, transportation, preferential seating, etc.), it's important to know that colleges are not under the same obligation as K-12 schools to provide students with support. In order to access special services, students must be able to ask for and justify what they need.

Plan ahead:

• Before heading off to school, find out exactly where to find and how to contact the Disability Office.

• Students who have received services through an IEP or 524 program in high school, should hang on to all of their documentation. These records will help justify a request for services.

• Self-advocacy is key. Students must understand their differences, be able to discuss them with professors and administrators, and ask for what they need.

To see a bunch of schools with excellent resources, go here:

http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2011/09/21/20-incredible-colleges-for-special-needs-students/

Are you, or do you know, a student who would benefit from these services and programs?