POPIN Friday Fact

Guidelines for Postsecondary College/University Transition:

 

 

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Parents, are you aware that your child is not entitled to educational services and provisions under IDEA when they enter the postsecondary institution of their choice? Postsecondary students receive services under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

 

Colleges and Universities are not required to "find" or "identify" students who have disabilities. The student must "self-declare" his or her disability. The student also carries the burden of proof for need of services. Accommodations for students with disabilities are based on current testing requirements (Transition IEP's/504 plans do NOT usually qualify the student for services). Reasonable accommodations are provided to offer "equal access" and protect from discrimination, not to guarantee success. The student is required to initiate a request for services and is encouraged to take responsibility for working with professors/instructors.

 

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSING POSTSECONDARY DISABILITIES SERVICES:

Postsecondary institutions may vary regarding specific documentation guidelines. Therefore, students MUST check with individual institutions to ensure proper documentation. Some colleges/universities will provide provisional coverage during the first semester to allow students to obtain the required assessments/documentation. However, postsecondary institutions are not required to provide provisional coverage and may not do so. Parents and students need to check with each and every college/university that they plan on attending in order to obtain the requirements for documenting the need for disability services.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS & MODIFICATIONS of CURRICULUM:

NO accommodations are provided unless warranted based on required assessment/documentation (listing on Transition IEP does not qualify for services at the postsecondary level). This is different than K-12 where accommodations can be listed if needed for success and do not have to be based on specific assessment verifying the need.

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES TO ACCESS POSTSECONDARY SERVICES FOR DISABILITIES:

1. Obtain documentation guidelines prior to enrollment

2. Obtain required assessments/documentation prior to enrollment (this is generally not done by the high school).

3. Self-declare disability with office of disabilities services at the postsecondary school.

4. Obtain approval for accommodations through the college office of disabilities (might be required each semester).

 

 

Resources:

* Article by: Valerie Watson - FDLRS/Westgate - Learning Resource Specialist

 

*The information for this article was obtained from Pasco County School District.