Twitter Chat Recap “Accepted: Preparing Students with Disabilities for College Success”
On 2/12/20, Elizabeth Hamblet and I hosted a Twitter chat: “Accepted: Preparing Students with Disabilities for College Success”. So many great questions were asked and tips were shared. In this recap, I’ve included some of the takeaways from the chat and links to the resources. If you want to review the whole chat, go to Twitter and search “#DisabilityCollegePrep”.
Experts who joined us:
- Annie Tulkin, Founder and Director Accessible College: college transition support for students with health conditions and physical disabilities
- Elizabeth Hamblet, College Learning Disabilities Specialist, LDAdvisory, college consulting and transition support for students with learning disabilities
- Kyle Kane, College Consultant, College Consulting Collaborative, Individualized College Planning, Preparation, and Placement for Students with Learning Differences
- Sarah Harte, Director, The Dorm DC, young adult treatment offering comprehensive day and evening services, partial residential treatment and individualized life skills training for young adults looking to further their independence
- Wendy Taylor, Diretor, Learning Essentials and LEPowerUp, tutoring and academic supports for K-12 students and support for students with medical needs
- Sheri Deckensohn-Trott, Founder, Happy on Wheels, speaking, writing, mentoring, and consulting, Sheri’s mission is to assist individuals, whether disabled or not, in learning and developing techniques to help cope with life’s challenges.
Q2: When a student w/ a disability has been accepted to a college, what steps should they take to make sure that school can meet their needs? #DisabilityCollegePrep
Takeaways
- Connect with your current support providers and healthcare providers to identify the types of support the student will need to be successful in college
- Contact the Disability Support Office at the college to have a conversation about the students needs and accommodations
- Research the types of accommodations that the college offers
- In college, accommodations are provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and accommodations may be different from what a student received in high school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Resources
- Tips for Transitioning to College with a Mobility Impairment
- How Students With Disabilities, and Their Parents, Need To Prepare for College
- Encourage College-Bound Students with Disabilities to Register for Accommodations
Q3: What types of accommodations can students with disabilities receive in college? #DisabilityCollegePrep
Takeaways
- Accommodations are case by case dependent on the disability and/or condition
- Accommodations can apply to housing, recreation, as well as academics
- Typical academic accommodations can include: extra time for tests, use of laptop during class, and use of calculators
Resources
- Types of College Accommodations and Services
- The (Surprising?) Similarity in Accommodations Not Commonly Granted at College for LD or ADHD
Q4: What types of on campus support should students with disabilities ask about? #DisabilityCollegePrep
Takeaways
- Ask about mental health support on campus. Availability and how often a student can be seen at the campus counseling center.
- Ask about tutoring that the college offers and what the limits may be.
- Ask about Health Center and Disability Support
- Look for student groups, advocacy groups and supportive spaces on campus (a friendly resident director, multi-cultural center, comfortable spots to hang out).
Resources
Q5: What other things should students with disabilities consider when making a final decision on what college to attend? #DisabilityCollegePrep
Takeaways
- Connect with the disability support office.
- Inquire about the culture around disability on campus.
- Talk to current students.
- Look at insurance benefits and see what is covered if a student goes to another state.
Resources
Q6: What are students with disabilities expected to do in order to request accommodations in college, and how can students prepare? #DisabilityCollegePrep
Takeaways
- Students with physical disabilities and health conditions will need to provide documentation from healthcare providers outlining diagnosis and functional limitations.
- Students with disabilities have to self-identify and request accommodations from the disability support office.
- Check the college’s disability support office website or contact them to see what the requirements are for requesting accommodations.
Resources
- Why You Should Register For Disability Accommodations at College
- When College Disability Services Offices or Professors Say No to an Accommodation
- LDAdvisory
Questions? Contact Annie Tulkin