Going to College with a Disability

How to find a suitable college, and what kind of assistance to expect

Today, having a disability is not a reason to refuse college studies. Many special facilities ease learning and graduating for students with impairments. However, there still might be some confusion and challenges, especially in the beginning.

We at IvyPanda know how hard it may be to choose a college. In this article, I share the ins and outs of preparing for college as a student with disabilities. Get all-around support with an individualized approach and numerous life hacks for smooth, effective studies.

What Are Your Student Rights?

Though a disability may be restrictive to anyone in their daily lives, it shouldn’t be a cause of refusal for a student’s admission to college. The rights of students with disabilities are regulated on a federal level. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) form a comprehensive legal framework that protects the right to fair and equal treatment in all domains, including education.

Here is a brief recap of the rights under these laws:

• Physical accessibility of premises for students, professors, and attendees with disabilities.
• Accessible digital educational content.
• Access to appropriate assistive technologies in the classrooms.
• Students are not obliged to inform the admission board about their impairment at the application stage.
• Guaranteed protection against bullying or harassment on the grounds of disability.

What College Accommodations Can You Expect?

All learners with disabilities are entitled to various kinds of help with the educational process and non-educational activities. The facilities a college must provide include:

• Testing accommodations. Educational institutions provide disabled students with more testing time, a non-distractive environment, and the full range of assistive technologies required to address a specific impairment.
• Assistive technologies. Students with visual and hearing impairments may use reading and magnifier aids during classes. Those with motor disabilities can apply note-taking aids, such as smart pens and audio recorders, for lecture recording.
• Classroom accommodations. Students in wheelchairs may be specifically relocated to classrooms on the first floor. Architectural barriers that limit such students’ access to the audience, canteen, or toilet should be removed. Students with vision disabilities may have textbooks with sign language and use note-taking aids.
• Housing accommodations. Disabled students should be provided with accessible dorm rooms and may apply for a private room.
• Dietary accommodations. Students with allergies or special diets may receive the service of a college nutritionist for planning meals.
• Environmental and mobility accommodations. Disabled students may take extra breaks during their studies and enjoy preferential or alternative seating options. Classrooms should be accessible for wheelchair users and have specially equipped desks and workstations.
• Other accommodations. Students with a disability may qualify for an emotional support animal or service animal. They may apply for a flexible attendance schedule or a longer home task deadline.

This way, you may count on different kinds of support related to your physical or learning limitations and seek help with all activities you find challenging.

How to Choose the Right College?

Many institutions provide accommodations for students with disabilities, but not all of them check each box in your accessibility and convenience checklist.

How do you match your professional aspirations with the facilities available at a college?

#1 Visit the School’s Website

You may see whether the college is accessible for students with disabilities upon a quick website review. Check if the website itself is accessible, and go to the Disability Services/Academic Support section to find all relevant details.

#2 Contact the School’s Disability Services

If you haven’t found all the data you need on the website, it makes sense to call your chosen college. Find the phone number of the Disability Services department and inquire about the available resources for your specific type of disability. Here’s what you should check:

• The type of available accommodations.
• Eligibility criteria for students.
• The variety of available assistive technologies.
• Presence of competent medical professionals in the college faculty.
• Dispute resolution mechanisms available for students not receiving adequate support.

#3 Check Physical Accessibility

Seeing the college with your own eyes is much better than listening to what they say over the phone or on the website. So, the ideal variant is to come to your chosen institution and test the accessibility on your own. As you attend the college, you may also inquire about the community of students with impairments or any support or counseling services available for disabled learners.

#4 Get Feedback from Students

The college’s official position on the amount of support it gives to students and the reality can be two worlds apart. That’s why getting first-hand experiences from current or former students is vital. Find such people in the college’s community or forum; talk to them during your visit to the college. These people will give you a more objective and realistic estimate of disability services and their efficiency.

#5 Learn about Funding Options

Students with disabilities are entitled to financial assistance, and you may also qualify for it. Inquire your college about grants and support programs available for you and compare several options to find the optimal funding variant.

What Financial Aid Can You Apply For?

You can apply for a variety of funding options in the USA, ranging from federal financial aid to private loans and college-specific grants. Here are a couple of workable variants you can explore.

Federal and State Aid

Federal support is provided under the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program to 13+ million students, overseen by the US Department of Education. All students with a GED diploma and a citizen or eligible non-citizen status can apply. If you don’t pass for FAFSA, you can also try Pell Grants, Social Security disability insurance, supplemental security income, or the FSEOG grant. Direct unsubsidized and PLUS loans are also available to students.

Scholarships

There are numerous scholarships available for students with specific disabilities. For instance, students with ASD can use the $1,600 Laurette Scholarship. Individuals with varied disabilities can apply for a $1,000 Disability in Social Work Scholarship, and those affected with physical disabilities are eligible for the $1,000 Robert and Suzi DeGennaro Scholarship for Disabled Students.

Look here for more options and details -> Top 54 Scholarships for Students with Disabilities in 2024

Now, let’s say you’ve made a decision, and it is time to prepare documents and write an admission essay.

How to Address a Disability in Your College Essay?

Here is what I would recommend after helping students with different disabilities to apply to the desired colleges. Remember that the exact requirements vary, but some rules are the same for all institutions.

First, you should note that you’re not obliged to disclose your disability in the application essay. Yet, if you feel that this condition is an integral part of your personality, ensure you make a positive life story out of it. You may frame the essay with the following tips in mind:

• Don’t present yourself as a victim.
• Explore the impact of your disability on your personal growth and character development.
• Use your disability to illustrate resilience.

If you’re confused about the right angle in your essay, try our hook examples generator or personal statement maker for inspirational prompts.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, college education and disability are not mutually exclusive. If you prepare well and choose a school with appropriate accommodations, your educational path will be as smooth and rewarding as that of other students. Know your rights, do your due diligence, and enjoy the benefits of top-quality education without limitations.

Don’t hesitate to share this material with your friends if you’ve found it helpful, and let us know your thoughts. I guarantee that with the proper research and preparation, you can enroll in your dream college. Check out many more exciting articles on the IvyPanda study hub to keep your finger on the pulse of modern education.