Disabilities Services. Transitioning from High School to College

Disabilities Services

Transitioning from High School to College

Before Applying to College

• Choose a college based on the degree program you

have interest in pursuing.

• Review the college catalog for the graduation

requirements of the college you are choosing.

• Understand the requirements for the degree program

and the college

• Contact the Admissions Office if you are interested in

The Sage Colleges.

The Process

• Apply to the college through the regular Admissions

Office.

• Notify the Disabilities Services Office of your situation

and request information about services.

• Provide documentation requirements for your particular

disability.

• Visit the campus. Make and appointment to meet with

the Disabilities Services Office.

Understanding Your Disability

• Understand and be able to describe/discuss your

disability.

• Know the accommodations you need and why you feel

they are reasonable.

-Be aware that what is reasonable in high school

may not be reasonable in college.

• Know your responsibilities and rights under the law.

Required Documentation

• Students may submit appropriate and current

documentation in most cases within three years of the current

date, from a qualified clinician or healthcare professional.

• This documentation must be a comprehensive assessment

including the student's disability, the impact of the disability,

and its relation to the recommended accommodations

Required Documentation part 2

• Requires a diagnosis.

• If the report includes accommodations, it should give a

rationale for the accommodations.

Your Responsibilities When Entering College

Once you choose to attend a college:

• Contact the Colleges Disabilities Officer

• Present proper documentation

• Complete the registration procedure required by

the Disabilities Services Office on your campus.

Your Responsibilities pt. 2

• Setup a meeting with the Disabilities Services Office.

• Follow suggested time guidelines of the Disabilities

Services Office to access and receive services.

Differences Between High School and College

In High School:

• Parents are involved in the process, attending meetings

and sharing in decision making

– Students, under 18, may not be involved in the

process

• Teachers advocate for students, talking to others about

their accommodations

• Law protects student’s right to a free and appropriate

education

In High School pt 2

• IDEA applies

• You have a “right to education” until you graduate or

meet the goals of your I.E.P.

• You’re allowed to attend the school in your attendance

district without applying

In College:

College communicates with the student, not the parents

Students must be their own advocates

This includes talking to instructors about

accommodations

Each semester, new instructor and new conversation!

Law only protects student’s right to an accessible educational

program

Right of access, not right of education

In College pt. 2

ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

apply

You are required to apply for admission, and you may or

may not be accepted

Special consideration MAY be given to students

who self-disclose a disability, BUT the minimum

eligibility criteria have to be met to be admitted

What does the Office of Disabilities Services do?

• Assists students with:

– Developing self-advocacy

– Suitable housing accommodations

– Academic accommodations

– Alternative testing accommodations

– Auxiliary aids and services

– Development of an education plan

– Getting appropriate academic support services, (tutoring, note taking, &

instructional aids)

– Resolving issues and concerns

What does the Office do pt. 2

• Pre-admission counseling to respond to inquiries about

support services to applicants and their families.

• Facilitates academic and career advising.

• Informs about and refers to college and community

programs and services.

• Provides the campus with information & resources.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

• The Sage Colleges is committed to responding to the

needs of students with disabilities, as defined by the

Americans with Disabilities Act. A student seeking

academic adjustments under the Americans with

Disabilities Act must make a request in writing to the

Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities.

Act pt. 2

• Any student in need of classroom assistance or

modification under the Americans with disabilities Act

must inform the instructor of the needed adjustment

no later than the first week of class, and provide

documentation from the Director of Students with

Disabilities.

What Should be in an Evaluation

• A written diagnosis that a learning disability exists.

• Recommendations for accommodation services.

• Recommendations for programs.

This documentation can be used as a vehicle for the student to

understand their strengths & weaknesses, as well as obtain the

accommodation services necessary to participate in regular

college programs.

Link to: Psychiatric Evaluation Requirements

Website Resources

• Council for Exceptional Children

• International Dyslexia Association

• Comparison Chart

• Steps to Becoming a Self Advocate

National Center for Learning Disabilities

Website Resources pt. 2

Newsletter

Learning Disability Association

ETS Documentation guidelines for AD/HD

Website Resources pt. 3

ETS Documentation guidelines for Learning Disabilities

Educational Testing Service Webpage

ADDA

CHADD

Information page sponsored by a drug company

Catalogue Information

Services for Students with Disabilities

The Sage Colleges promote self-advocacy for students with

disabilities and facilitates a positive and adaptive learning

environment for such students. Students seeking

accommodations are required to present a recent evaluation

of their disability conducted by a licensed professional. It is

imperative that upon admission, students requesting

accommodations contact the Director of Disabilities Services.

Characteristics of College Students with Learning Disabilities

Writing

• Difficulty with sentence structure, poor grammar, omitted

words.

• Frequent spelling errors, inconsistent spelling, letter

reversals.

• Difficulty copying from board or overhead.

• Poorly formed letters, difficulty with spacing, capitals and

punctuation.

Characteristics pt. 2

Reading

• Confusion of similar words, difficulty using phonics,

problems reading multisyllablic words.

• Slow reading rate and/or difficulty adjusting speed to the

nature of the reading task.

• Difficulty with comprehension and retention of material

that is read, but not with material presented orally.

Characteristics pt. 3

Study Skills

• Poor organization and time management.

• Difficulty following directions.

• Poor organization of notes and other written materials.

• Need more time to complete assignments.

Characteristics pt. 4

Social Skills

• Difficulty “reading” facial expressions, body language.

• Problems interpreting subtle messages such as

sarcasm.

• Confusion in spatial orientation, getting lost easily,

difficulty following directions.

• Disorientation in time, difficulty telling time.

Characteristics pt. 5

Oral Language

• Difficulty attending to spoken language, inconsistent

concentration.

• Difficulty expressing ideas orally, which the student seems

to understand.

• Problem describing events or stories in proper sequence.

• Residual problems with grammar, difficulty with inflectional

or derivational endings.

Characteristics pt. 6

Math

• Difficulty memorizing basic facts.

• Confusion or reversal of numbers, number sequence or

operational symbols.

• Difficulty copying problems, aligning columns.

• Difficulty reading or comprehending word problems.

• Problems with reasoning and abstract concepts.

You Are Not Alone

Tom Cruise has Dyslexia.

Robin Williams has a learning disability and

ADD.

Keira Knightley has a learning disability.

Michelangelo had epilepsy.

Contact Information

To contact the Director of Disabilities Services:

65 1st Street 140 New Scotland Avenue Troy,

NY 12180 Albany, NY 12208

518-244-2208 518-292-1764

disabilities_services@sage.edu