Tips for Parents and Guardians

• Encourage your student to be a self-advocate. Be there as a source of support but know that the student needs to be the one in the “driver’s seat” when it comes to disability services in college.
• If you feel the need to communicate with our office, involve your student in the conversation so that everyone is on the same page. Due to educational privacy law, we are limited in what information we can share with parents without the student’s permission but we understand that students may sometimes wish to include their parents in parts of the process.
• Share any concerns you have and issues you think need to be discussed with your student before their initial meeting.
• Encourage your student to be proactive and take advantage of resources available to all Bates students, including tutoring, Writing at Bates, and their Student Support Advisor, for example.

Web Resources and Publications

Resources for Students at Bates College: A snapshot of academic support and general resources for Bates students

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities: U.S. Department of Education & Office for Civil Rights

College Survival Skills: Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT)

ADHD College Survival Guide: Tips and Resources for ADD/ADHD and LD Students: ADDitude Strategies and Support for ADHD & LD

Navigating College: A Handbook on Self Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults: Autistic Self Advocacy Network