Douglas Olsen
Students with special educational needs are increasingly aspiring to pursue higher education at four-year universities. While students with severe disabilities may face challenges in completing college preparatory classes, many colleges and universities have disability services and programs to support students with special needs. These services are protected by federal civil rights laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensures equal access and protects against discrimination. While colleges are not required to provide the same level of support as high schools, they often offer accommodations and resources to assist students with disabilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can special education students attend four-year universities? | Yes, but they are less likely to do so. |
| What are the challenges? | Students with severe intellectual disabilities may find some college-prep classes out of reach. |
| What are the rights of students with disabilities in higher education? | Students with disabilities have the right to privacy regarding their education records. Postsecondary schools are required to provide academic adjustments and auxiliary aids to ensure equal access and prevent discrimination. Housing must also be provided to students with disabilities, comparable to that of non-disabled students. |
| What support is available? | Most colleges have a disability services office, and some colleges provide a greater range of support, such as tutors with expertise in learning and thinking differences, study skills workshops, and assistive technology. |
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What You'll Learn
Special education students' transition to four-year universities
Students with special educational needs can attend four-year universities, but there are some important considerations to be made. Firstly, while a high school transcript does not indicate whether a student has received special education services, colleges have certain requirements for admission, such as completion of specific courses, SAT or ACT scores, and other college-prep classes that may be challenging for students with special needs.
Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ensure that students with disabilities have access to postsecondary education. However, unlike high schools, colleges are not required to provide the same level of support or specialised instruction. They must, however, provide reasonable academic adjustments to ensure they do not discriminate based on disability and comply with federal civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Students with disabilities must be proactive in seeking accommodations and registering with the disability services office, as colleges will not identify or assess their needs. This transition can be challenging for parents, who are no longer able to participate in meetings without the student's permission. It is important for students to learn to advocate for themselves and understand their rights and responsibilities, as well as the obligations of the postsecondary institution.
There are colleges that offer specialised programs and services for students with disabilities, such as therapy dogs, study skills workshops, and career development support. Researching and choosing a college that aligns with the student's unique needs is crucial. Additionally, community colleges can provide a pathway to a four-year degree, offering programs specifically designed for students with disabilities.
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Rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities
Students with disabilities have a right to privacy regarding their education records once they turn 18 and enter higher education. They also have the right to equal access to postsecondary education under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This means that all programs of postsecondary institutions, including extracurricular activities, must be accessible to students with disabilities. For example, schools must provide architectural access to buildings, including residential facilities, and aids and services necessary for effective communication, like sign language interpreters, Braille or electronic formats, and assistive listening devices.
However, it is important to note that postsecondary schools are not required to make adjustments that fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program, or activity, or that result in undue financial or administrative burden. They are also not required to provide personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, or other devices or services of a personal nature.
Students with disabilities have the responsibility to provide professional documentation of their disability and to request accommodations as far in advance as possible. They must also meet the academic and conduct standards of the university, just like any other student.
While there are no Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or special education requirements in college, almost all colleges have a disability services office that can provide accommodations and support to students with disabilities. It is important for students to be proactive in seeking out these resources and advocating for their needs.
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Academic adjustments and auxiliary aids
Students with disabilities who meet the academic and technical standards for admission to a four-year university are entitled to academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services to ensure their equal opportunity to participate in the program.
Academic Adjustments
Students with disabilities are responsible for informing the university of their disability and requesting academic adjustments. Universities are not required to identify students with disabilities or assess their needs. However, they must provide appropriate academic adjustments to ensure they do not discriminate on the basis of disability. Academic adjustments may include modifications to academic requirements, such as arranging for priority registration, reducing course load, substituting one course for another, or providing extended time for testing.
Auxiliary Aids
Auxiliary aids may include services, such as providing note-takers, recording devices, sign language interpreters, or equipping school computers with screen-reading or voice recognition software. Students may also be provided with readers for classroom use, but institutions are not required to provide readers for personal use or individual study time.
Additional Support
Some universities may provide a greater range of support, such as professional tutors with a background in learning and thinking differences or workshops on study skills and time management. These services are not required by law, and students may be charged a fee for accessing them.
Housing
If a university provides housing to non-disabled students, it must provide comparable, convenient, and accessible housing to students with disabilities at the same cost.
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Colleges' disability services and accommodations
Students with disabilities are increasingly pursuing further education at two- and four-year colleges and universities. While colleges are not required to provide the same level of support as high schools, they must provide reasonable accommodations to ensure they do not discriminate based on disability. These accommodations are coordinated through a disability services office, which is present in almost all colleges. Students must register with this office to receive accommodations.
Students must request accommodations to receive them, and they may have to provide evidence of their disability. This process typically involves completing a registration or application form, after which the student will have a one-on-one intake meeting. Here, they can discuss their specific needs for accommodations and support services. The student will then be assigned a contact person at disability services, who will write a letter explaining the student's accommodations to professors.
Some common types of accommodations include extended time for exams and papers, permission to make audio recordings of classes, reduced course load, course waivers and substitutions, and alternative exam formats. It is important to note that colleges are not required to make adjustments that fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program, or activity, or result in an undue financial or administrative burden. Additionally, they are not required to provide personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, or tutoring.
While these services are not mandated by law, some colleges go beyond the minimum requirements and offer a wider range of support. This may include providing professional tutors with expertise in learning and thinking differences, or running study skills and time management workshops. Students and their families are encouraged to contact the disability services offices of prospective colleges to inquire about the specific accommodations and support provided.
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Strategies for special education students to attend university
Students with special needs can attend four-year universities, and there are programs and strategies to help them earn a two- or four-year degree. However, it is important to note that the transition from high school to college can be challenging for students with special needs, as the support provided by colleges may differ from that of high schools.
- Advocacy and independence: It is important for students to learn self-advocacy skills and become their own advocates. This includes teaching them to ask for the accommodations they need and to choose courses that interest them and prepare them for life after high school. While parents can play a role in advocating for their child's needs during middle and high school, once a student turns 18, they enter the higher education system, and parents are no longer able to participate in meetings without the student's permission. Therefore, it is crucial to gradually foster independence and self-advocacy skills in students with special needs.
- Understanding the requirements: Students with special needs should be aware of the requirements for admission to four-year universities. While a high school transcript does not indicate whether a student received special education services, colleges may require certain courses, SAT or ACT scores, and other college-prep classes that may be challenging for some students with special needs. Understanding these requirements early on can help students and their parents make informed decisions and plan accordingly.
- Exploring alternative pathways: Community colleges can be a great option for students with special needs. They often offer programs specifically designed for students with disabilities, providing them with the necessary support and resources to succeed. These programs can lead to certifications or two-year degrees that can then be transferred to a four-year university or directly result in good job opportunities.
- Utilizing disability services: Almost all colleges have a disability services office that provides accommodations and supports for students with special needs. It is important for students to register with this office and understand the procedures for requesting accommodations. While the level of support may differ from high school, colleges can provide accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if students can provide evidence of their needs.
- Adapting teaching strategies: Breaking down learning content into smaller parts, or "chunking," can make information more manageable and relieve the cognitive load on students. Visual aids, charts, diagrams, videos, and photographs can also enhance learning and make it more accessible and enjoyable for students with special needs.
- Finding strengths and talents: Special education is about more than just overcoming weaknesses; it's also about discovering and developing strengths and talents. Helping students find their strengths can boost their motivation and engagement in learning.
These strategies can help special education students successfully transition to university and pursue their educational goals. It is important to note that each student is unique, and the specific strategies employed should be tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, special education students can attend four-year universities. However, they may need to meet the same admissions criteria as other students, such as completing certain courses and providing SAT or ACT scores.
The support available to students varies between universities. While colleges do not fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), they must follow federal civil rights laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that colleges must provide academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services to ensure they do not discriminate based on disability. Some colleges may also provide additional support services, such as tutoring or coaching, for a fee.
It is important to be well-informed about your rights and responsibilities, as well as the obligations of the university, to ensure you can fully benefit from the postsecondary education experience. You should also be aware of the procedures for requesting academic adjustments and be prepared to provide evidence of the need for specific accommodations.
Parents can be good advocates for their child during middle and high school and teach them how to become their own advocate. This includes ensuring their child attends IEP meetings in middle school and learns how to ask for the accommodations they need.
