Students with disabilities may experience significant changes from high school to post-secondary school. The major shift takes place in the area of independence. Students are expected to rely on their own self-advocacy skills to obtain accommodations in college. It is the role of the disability services office to foster and encourage the growth of these skills while helping students make the smoothest transition possible. Below is a list of basic changes in services.
In College:
- The rights of students are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. IDEA no longer applies.
- Students may not qualify for the same accommodations they had in high school, even if the learning situation is otherwise unchanged.
- Post-secondary schools are not required to make curricular modifications or provide alternative assessments, teaching strategies or modifications to the curriculum.
- Allegheny College personnel expect to work with students rather than parents. Laws governing confidentiality make communication with parents more restrictive.
Students with Disabilities are Responsible for:
- Identifying themselves directly to Student Accessibility and Support Services if they wish to receive accommodations.
- Notifying instructors of approved accommodations in a timely manner.
- Notifying Student Accessibility and Support Services of any difficulties they may experience securing accommodations.
- Monitoring their own progress. No one pushes the student to attend class, do homework or follow a schedule.
Confidentiality
Disability information is confidential and shared appropriately. The Associate Dean for Academic Support & Director of Student Accessibility and Support Services will not release any information regarding a student’s disability to professors, deans, and even parents without a signed “Confidentiality and Release of Information Form.”
