Category: Physical Disabilities

Addressing Health Conditions and Physical Disabilities

Addressing Health Conditions and Physical Disabilities young man with arm crutches sitting against a window talking on the phone and working on a lap top

This article was first published in the October-November 2019 edition of Insights, the newsletter of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.  Transitioning to college can present challenges for all students: living away from home for the first time and with roommates, finding their way around a largely unfamiliar campus, and navigating new social and academic interactions. […]

Tips for Transitioning to College with a Mobility Impairment

Tips for Transitioning to College with a Mobility Impairment Picture of university buildings that are stone and appear castle-like

 When students with mobility impairments transition to college, there is a lot to consider beyond academic accommodations and campus accessibility. Through my work providing college transition support for students with physical disabilities and health conditions and my experience as a university administrator, I have learned to initiate conversations about the following areas: housing accommodations, Personal […]

Interview with Cindy Kolbe, Author of “Struggling with Serendipity”

Interview with Cindy Kolbe, Author of “Struggling with Serendipity” Ad for book-Struggling with Serendipity. Photo of older woman walking along side young person in a wheelchair entering the gates of Harvard Univeristy

I met Cindy Kolbe, author of the book and blog Struggling with Serendipity  a few months ago at a United Spinal DC chapter meeting. Cindy shared her story of being the driver in a car that was in a serious accident that led to her daughter Beth’s spinal cord injury and her own struggle with […]

Requesting Accommodations in College

Requesting Accommodations in College notebook with "today" written on top of page and 1, 2, 3, 4 below

For most students, the process of transitioning to college is straightforward. However, students with disabilities – including physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, mental health conditions, learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD – have additional considerations leading up to move-in day.  In the K-12 setting, students with disabilities are provided with accommodations by the school under the Individuals […]

College Transition for Students Who Use Mobility Devices

College Transition for Students Who Use Mobility Devices young man with arm crutches sitting against a window talking on the phone and working on a lap top

I was excited for the opportunity to share my work on the National Disability Institute’s blog. The National Disability Institute collaborates and innovates to build a better financial future for people with disabilities and their families. The piece looks at considerations for students who use mobility devices as they approach the transition to college. The […]

How Students With Disabilities, and Their Parents, Need To Prepare for College

How Students With Disabilities, and Their Parents, Need To Prepare for College three students sitting at a table with laptops smiling and drinking coffee

I was excited for the opportunity to share my work with the Grown and Flown audience. Grown and Flown provides a wealth of information related to parenting high schoolers and college aged students. The piece addresses steps that parents and students with disabilities can take to ensure a successful transition to college. The piece was originally […]

Campus Housing for Students with Health Conditions and Physical Disabilities

Campus Housing for Students with Health Conditions and Physical Disabilities

Students with physical disabilities and health conditions may require housing accommodations in order to be able to live on campus. Most universities have a separate processing for requesting housing based on a disability or medical need. This process typically takes place before the housing selection process. You should contact the Disability Support Office and Housing […]

Planning for College Tours-Tips for Students with Health Conditions and Physical Disabilities

Planning for College Tours-Tips for Students with Health Conditions and Physical Disabilities The picture depicts the backs of 5 students all wearing backpacks walking together on a college campus with a brick building in the background.

For many students the process of planning for a college tour is as simple as selecting the college and signing up for the tour. However, for students with physical disabilities and health conditions there may be a few more steps. Below I’ve outlined a few considerations for students with physical disabilities and students with health […]

Considerations for Students with Physical Disabilities & Health Conditions Transitioning to College

Considerations for Students with Physical Disabilities & Health Conditions Transitioning to College two women one in a wheel chair sitting down on a table

I learned many things working with college students with physical disabilities and health conditions in a Disability Support Office for a number of years, there were a few things that came up a lot and can be easily addressed. Here are 3 things to consider to assist with your transition: If you had accommodations in […]

Study Abroad for Students with Disabilities: 3 Key Points

Study Abroad for Students with Disabilities: 3 Key Points girl sitting down with laptop in courtyard

Last week I attended Mobility International USA’s (MIUSA) “Joining Hands” Symposium. The focus was disability and international exchange. I presented on disability accommodations abroad, focusing on 3 key points to assist students with disabilities and the people who support them in ensuring a smooth path to study abroad or international exchange. Here is a brief […]