Tips for Students with Disabilities Who Are Heading to College

Students with Disabilities Transitioning to College

How Students with Disabilities Can Transition to College Seamlessly

Back to school time is just around the corner, which means that it is the perfect time to start preparing for what’s ahead!

Determine if college is the best option for you. Sometimes, traditional 4-year college is perceived as the only option for young people to be successful, but the truth is that college isn’t always the best option, and it certainly isn’t the only option. Depending on your learning style, your existing skills and interests, and your goals, you may consider alternatives to 4-year college, such as community college, trade schools, apprenticeships, or 2-year programs, among others.

Do your research. When looking at colleges, be sure to learn about the disability services offered at each of your potential schools. Some colleges may have paid programs that offer additional support for students who sign up for the service. If you plan to do a college visit, call the school’s Office of Disability Services in advance of your visit to schedule a meeting with a counselor so you can learn what steps need to be taken and what paperwork needs to be filed to take advantage of the available resources. Knowing about the resources offered by each potential school will help you make the best decision.

Assemble your support team before you leave for college. College may be all about independence, but all students need support systems in order to succeed, no matter their ability. Who will be on your support team? Parents? Siblings? Reliable friends? A professional, such as a life coach or therapist? Be sure to have these key players in place so your transition to college will be smooth.

Enroll in Vocational Rehabilitation. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a state-administered program that supports people with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and retaining employment. While the name and processes may vary from state to state, each state has a similar operation. If you are enrolled in VR services in your state, be sure to tell your counselor if you are heading to college. VR may cover the cost of some supports at the college level. Once you graduate, be sure to inform your counselor if you intend to seek employment so they can get you on the right track as far as support goes.

Get to know FERPA. FERPA is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. This is important to know because it defines what information can be disclosed about students, and to whom the information can be disclosed. Under FERPA, a parent’s rights to view educational records transfer to a student once the student turns 18. Colleges may require signed releases from the student giving permission to share educational records with certain persons. More information on FERPA can be found from the U.S. Department of Education.

Communicate your needs. In order to receive services offered by the Office of Disability Services at your college, you will need to have a diagnosis. Once you have registered with this office, the college will tell you what accommodations they offer and what you are eligible for. It is the student’s responsibility to take advantage of these accommodations and to communicate with professors about the accommodations they are receiving. Make appointments to speak with each of your professors during the first week of school. They can help you understand what the class will be like so you can determine what types of supports will be necessary for you to succeed. Don’t wait until you hit a bump in the road to communicate your needs.

Use technology to your advantage. There are hundreds of excellent tools that exist for students, many of them free. Look into websites, apps, smart pens, and other adaptive technology that can assist with taking notes, reading text, studying, and meeting deadlines.

Learn about available resources. Not only will the Office of Disability Services at your school offer plenty of handy resources, but there will also be resources offered through other campus entities as well. Schools typically offer free tutoring through their different departments and also may have a writing center where you can get help writing papers. Colleges want their students to be successful, which is why they offer an abundance of resources to make that a reality. Your academic advisor or your disability services counselor should be able to point you in the right direction for both on- and off-campus resources.

There’s more to college than academics. Academics are definitely an important part of the college experience, but don’t forget that college is also about preparing for adulthood in other ways—building independent living skills, earning real-world experience through internships, fostering relationships and connections by joining interest groups on campus, and so on. Identify opportunities that will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and grow as a person.

10.Visit Tangram Life Coaching’s website. Tangram Life Coaching has helped numerous college students with mild, hidden, or undiagnosed disabilities achieve their academic, social, and vocational goals. For more information on how Tangram Life Coaching can help you succeed, visit our website or give us a call at (317) 968-9049. We look forward to meeting you!

Through one-on-one coaching and a team-based support model, Tangram Life Coaching helps young adults create and sustain positive life change, working within the individual’s environment to identify and overcome obstacles that keep them from creating the life they want. The team-based model uniquely integrates clinical expertise, professional training, and family support. Each professionally trained personal life coach partners closely with a clinical supervisor and the individual’s family to develop and help implement a Quality of Life Plan.

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