College can be a difficult time for many students. Students with disabilities, however, may encounter unique challenges during their college career due to differences in environment and responsibilities of both the student and the college or university.
However, there is help for college students with disabilities. Every college or university, whether it is a large research school, a small liberal arts school, a community college, or a technical college, has a department devoted to serving college students with disabilities.
Using a College's Disabilities Services Office
Every college and university, no matter how large or comprehensive in academic offerings, has a department dedicated to serving students with disabilities. This department is equipped with staff and resources to help students with disabilities succeed in their chosen course of study.
The disabilities services office also helps students in getting reasonable academic accommodations from the college or university, receiving special housing adjustments, or relocating classes to locations that are more easily accessible.
If a student has a complaint against the college or university and feel that they have not received reasonable accommodations for their disability, a college or university's disability services office can also provide students with an appeal process to determine if the school was in the wrong.
Rights and Responsibilities of College Students with Disabilities
According to the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, the rights and responsibilities of college students with disabilities are different than they were while the student was in high school. For example, colleges and universities are not obligated to provide students with disabilities free appropriate public education (FAPE) like high schools are under federal laws. However, colleges and universities are obligated to adjust housing arrangements, provide extended testing time, and other resources such as technology adaptations, classroom reassignments, books on tape, and other resources.
However, it is the responsibility of the student to inform their college or university of their disability and provide proper documentation if the student needs adjustments or special arrangements. It is not required that the student tell the school about a disability, but if a student finds that they need special accommodations, they will have to start the documentation process prior to receiving adjustments.
College students with disabilities should be advised, though, that colleges and universities cannot waive graduation or major requirements, nor can they lower standards or make substantial modifications to university policies.
Appropriate Accommodations for College Students with Disabilities
Under federal law, colleges and universities are not required to waive institutional requirements, lower grading and evaluation standards, or make substantial modifications to university policies in order to accommodate a student's disability.
There are several things colleges and universities can do that qualify as "appropriate accommodations" for students with disabilities:
- Provide appropriate housing: If a college or university provides housing accommodations for students without disabilities, then the school must also provide reasonable housing for students with disabilities. This can include assigning a student to a residence hall with an elevator, with special emergency alarms, or providing the student with a personal room.
- Relocate class locations: If a student with a disability is taking a course that is in a building that is not reasonably accessible to them, the student can request that the class be moved to a different room or building through the disabilities services office.
- Request an interpreter or special readers: Students with disabilities can request an interpreter, such as a sign language interpreter, or ask that the university equip computers and other technology with various adaptive software.
- Provide special educational resources: A college or university may also provide students with special educational resources, such as readers or books on tape, that students can borrow as they need them for no charge.
College students with disabilities may face some unique challenges, but it is important that students know their rights and responsibilities so that they can succeed in college. There are many services available so that students can have a successful and rewarding college experience and gain the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed after graduation.
Ashley Anderson - Ashley is an Ohio-based writer and editor with specializations in higher education, writing, and social activism.
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