RAISE The Standard, December 2023, v.10 n.1

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Postsecondary Education

Daniel Jarvis-Holland sees himself as a full participant in his world and community. In this two-minute video, we hear from Daniel and his mother Angela about the importance of college for people with disabilities.

"I see both my sons as lifelong learners who deserve dignity and respect, who need to find a way to contribute."

- Angela Jarvis-Holland

Click here to view Daniel's video.

And for some student perspectives on going to college, we love this short video from Think College featuring several students with disabilities:

https://thinkhighered.net/

Getting Your Money's Worth

So, you have decided to go to college! While it is a very exciting chapter in life, it is also one of the most expensive ones. In fact, the average cost of a 4-year public college is more than $28,000 a year — bump that up to $34,000 for a private 4-year college. Many colleges also offer an optional, fee-based support program for students with disabilities that can provide added academic and life skills support. The costs can really add up.

Before you invest time and money, it is important to know what you will GET for your money. While a college experience has value to a student and their family, it may not have value to a potential employer. Student and parents who are exploring college and college experience programs should ask questions about the outcome of the program.

First, a review of some of the options for postsecondary education and training:

• 4-Year College or University — a Bachelor’s degree granting program. Students can register with the office of disability services and receive accommodations, and in some cases, can add other supports. Some of these colleges also offer a certificate program for students with ID. In some colleges, these certificate programs, which are NOT offered to students who do not have a disability, are shorter term programs.
• 2-Year College — an Associate’s degree granting program. Here again, students can register with the office of disability services and receive accommodations. Some of these programs also offer a certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities.
• Vocational and Technical Programs or Schools — prepare a student for a specific trade or career. Many offer industry-specific certifications or endorsements that employers recognize. 
• Apprenticeships — teach a trade or practice via on-the-job training. These can sometimes be part of a certification process that leads to a license to practice in a regulated occupation.
• Adult Education and Continuing Education — non-degree programs that offer opportunities for adult growth and development.

Here are some things to consider before you enroll:

In a degree-granting program, students with disabilities who graduate earn the same degree as non-disabled peers, with the same recognized value.

• Is this a degree-granting program or is it a different type of program designed specifically for students with disabilities?
• Will I graduate with the same credentials as my non-disabled classmates, or from a non-degree program designed for students with disabilities?

Generally, when students audit a course, they do not take part in the same assessments (tests and grades) nor do they have the same assignments (term papers) as non-disabled peers, and therefore may not earn the same credentials or credits toward a degree.

• Is the course work “audited” or is the student required to pass assessments and testing like nondisabled students?

Some non-degree programs offer ‘micro-credentials’ such as certificates, badges, mini degrees, and other ways of recognizing participation in and completion of the course work. It is important to learn about the external entities that recognize and value these certificates.

• If this is not a degree program, what credential will I earn?
• Who recognizes the credential I will earn? What employers will value this credential?
• Is this credential something that is ONLY offered by this college, or is it widely recognized (such as by TPSID)?

There are other questions you may want to ask:

• How long (how many years) is the program?
• Is there fully inclusive course work?
• Are there specialized classes limited to those in the program?
• Are there internships?
• Is there a requirement for a portfolio or capstone project?
• Is there a component for social engagement and independent living?

College Accommodations

Many students are surprised to learn that there are no IEPs in college and that parents cannot call their teacher.

College students must ask for ‘reasonable accommodations’ and work with the office of disability services to develop a plan. It is up to the STUDENT to make sure the plan is implemented and to ask for modifications as needed.

Just what kinds of accommodations and modifications might be considered?

• Extended time on assessments, e.g. quizzes, midterms, and final exams
• Testing in an alternative location
• Breaks during exams
• Calculator or laptop access
• A note-taker, reader, and/or scribe
• Access to audiobooks
• Accessible specific classroom seating/layout
• Accessible specific housing/dorming
• American Sign Language interpreters

Some types of accommodations may require more documentation:

• Extensions for specific assignments
• Alternate test format (e.g. multiple choice, true/false, essay)
• Tests and directions read out loud, or read and repeated
• Reduced course load and extended time to complete degree requirements

Auxiliary aids and services can take many forms, depending on the individual student’s needs.

• Making audio recordings of classes
• Qualified interpreters
• Class materials in alternative formats, e.g. texts in braille, recorded, or as digital files
• Access to voice recognition software
• Access to text-to-speech programs
• Regular meetings with an accessibility counselor/learning specialist
• Alternate ways to evaluate, e.g. projects or oral presentations instead of written tests

(From: Include NYC: College Accommodations for Students with Disabilities)

How Does Having a Disability Affect You in College

"You have to rely on yourself…"

"You have to be a big advocate for yourself."

This short video profiles the experiences of several students with disabilities who are in college, talking about their experience and challenges.

Click here to access the video.

How to Ask for Accommodations:

Academic accommodations are required by law for eligible college students. Accommodations are changes in the learning and testing environments that give college students with disabilities an equal opportunity to learn. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that reasonable accommodations be made available to college students who have current documentation of learning disabilities and who request learning and/or testing accommodations.

New research from the National Center for Educational Statistics shows that only about one-third (37%) of students who have a disability actually informed their college so that they could GET these supports.

If you are a student with a disability in college, YOU have responsibilities to identify, request, and advocate for the support you need. Students must:

• self-identify as a person with a disability to the disability services office at the college or university and provide up-to-date documentation of the disability.
• request academic accommodations that will ensure access to information and testing on an equal level with students who do not have disabilities.
• self-identify to faculty as a student with a disability and provide them with a copy of the Individual Student Profile developed with the disability services office. Often, students must remind faculty of academic accommodations required for tests and assignments.

At the end of the day, it is the student who must accept responsibility for his or her successful education. This means maintaining satisfactory academic levels, attending classes, completing assignments, behaving appropriately, and communicating regularly with the appropriate office and/or individual regarding specific needs.

There are eight (8) Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Parent Centers throughout the United States that provide training and programming to youth and young adults with disabilities, their families, professionals, and other Parent Centers. The focus is on issues surrounding youth transition.

RSA Parent Centers are funded by the Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA) under the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), which is part of the US Department of Education.

In this issue of RAISE, we highlight REAL Transition Partners, a collaboration between all 26 Region A parent centers which will provide innovative services that involve diverse youth/young adults with disabilities and their families, highlight the region’s strengths and collaborative spirit, and through a regional Community of Practice, enhance participating parent center capacity around transition and adult service systems. FCSN is the lead partner in Region A-1, for parent centers in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. 

Learn more here about REAL Transition Partners (Federation).

One of their hallmark offerings is a Lunchtime Learning Program with recorded webinars on a wide range of topics. Check out these webinars on Money Management:

• Check out the webinar on Money Management In English.

• Check out the webinar on Money Management En Español.

Resource Guide for Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities:

https://thinkhighered.net/uploads/TCcampaign-resource-booklet_R-fixed.pdf

College or Training Programs? — How to Decide: https://www.pacer.org/transition/resource-library/publications/NPC-26.pdf

Understanding Internships: https://www.pacer.org/transition/learning-center/singles/internships.asp

Scholarship Information: https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/resources/HTTC11_Scholarships%20for%20Students%20with%20ID%20update%202023_F_0.pdf

Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center: https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/

TIPSID Transition and Postsecondary Program for Student with Intellectual Disabilities: https://thinkcollege.net/projects/national-coordinating-center/what-is-a-tpsid

Requesting Accommodations in College: https://includenyc.org/help-center/resources/college-accommodations-for-students-with-disabilities/

RAISE The Standard enewsletter identifies and shares resources that the Rehabilitation Services Administration Parent Training and Information Centers (RSA-PTI) can use and share with families.

The RAISE Technical Assistance Center is working to advance the accessibility of its digital resources, including its websites, enewsletters and various digital documents.

* For more on SPAN Parent Advocacy Network and all of the complementary programs supported, visit spanadvocacy.org.