Page 30 - FamilyGuidetoTransitionServices-English

Post-School Options

s students begin to plan for the future, they need to explore post-school options
A in the areas of postsecondary education, employment, and adult living while they
are still in school. Transition planning in high school should include preparation in all
three of the following areas:

Postsecondary Education: Students with disabilities who are interested in
postsecondary education and training may want to apply to 2-year or 4-year college
programs or pursue specialized training at a vocational or technical school. Like all
students, they will need to consult with their guidance counselor, visit college
programs, learn about financial aid options, register for SATs or other entrance exams
(with needed accommodations), and fill out college applications during high school. It
will also be important for students and their parents to understand the important legal
and programmatic differences between high school and college.

There Is No IEP/Special Education in College

While laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act provide access with accommodations, college-level students
must meet admission criteria defined as “otherwise qualified.” These are civil rights
protections, not entitlements to services.

At any institution of higher education, the student will be considered an adult who
is expected to make their own decisions and to self-advocate when they move on
to college. Learning these skills is essential in the transition planning process.

In college, services are based on eligibility. Students must disclose their disability and
provide documentation to demonstrate their need to receive accommodations and
supports in college. Deciding whether to disclose a disability is a personal decision. It is
important for youth to know what their disability is and understand how it affects
them. Youth must also learn how to communicate that information to their college
Disability Services office or their employer’s Human Resources office.

A qualified student cannot be denied admission on basis of disability as long as the
student is able to meet the academic and technical standards for participation in the
program.

The college must also make necessary academic adjustments to provide equal access
and the opportunity to participate to students with disabilities. In elementary and
secondary education, the supports students with disabilities receive are often called
“related services” or “accommodations” and “modifications.” In postsecondary
education, these supports (such as a note-taker) are sometimes referred to as
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