Differences between High School and College

As you may already know, there are significant differences between disability services and related legal requirements at the high school and college levels. I would like to offer a resource from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education, which I have found particularly helpful in highlighting some of these differences.

One of the key changes in college is that the student needs to initiate services and be their own advocate. Through this transition, many students are able to become more self-aware, develop independence, and practice advocating for their needs- skills they will need during their Bates career and beyond! We also know this change can be scary for students and parents. It’s possible that, up to this point, you have needed to be very involved in your student’s educational planning and support. As an older sibling to an individual with a disability, I know my sister would not have received the services she needed in K-12 without my parents’ tireless advocacy on her behalf.

Accessible Education & FERPA

The Office of Accessible Education is bound by the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act and is unable to share information with parents/guardians about a student’s application or approval status. Students who wish to have this information able to be shared with parents/guardians can discuss FERPA releases with the Registrar office.

Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy may or may not be a new skill for your student. Some students may be very confident in articulating how their disability impacts them and what they anticipate needing in college, while others may not. We understand this and have provided some Tips for Self-Advocacy when Requesting Services[Link] as a guide for students leading up to the initial meeting with me. We do not make a determination about an accommodation request based solely on medical documentation and information shared by the student is just as critical a component of the accommodation request process.

What your Student can Expect

It is our intention to provide a simple application process for all students. Your student will need to complete an online application by going to AIM, and upload relevant documentation to support their request (Please see Documentation Guidelines for more information.) Following the completion of the application your student will meet with the Director of Accessible Education. This meeting is not meant to be stressful, and is instead a chance for your student to fully discuss their disability and accommodation needs. The Director of Accessible Education and your student will discuss any accommodations that they may have had in the past and what accommodations may be available, and in this way the Office of Accessible Education hopes to create a customized accommodation plan. If your student would like a parent/guardian to join their intake meeting this is acceptable, but please note that it is important for the Director of Accessible Education to speak directly with your student. Following the meeting, the Director of Accessible Education will review the meeting notes, documentation, and application, and let your student know what accommodations are approved.