Entering College as a Disabled Student
Today, college and university campuses are well-equipped with a wide variety of technological resources, services, and assistive technology for students with different disabilities. There are also plenty of student service offices and student counselors who work to make all students feel inclusive. With the proper academic support, advocacy, campus accessibility, and student services available, disabled students are able to excel in their classes and receive equal educational access and benefits.
This guide provides a quick overview of the different common disabilities some college students have and the different resources and technologies available to them. It is truly incredible how many different applications and software programs are out there made just to help students get by in school even with their disabilities. That said, attending college can be very positive and life-changing experience!
Types of Disabilities
For many, disabilities do not hinder them from learning and working hard towards the working world. There are a countless amount of disabilities and impairments students may have. Some of the most popular ones include dyslexia, autism, physical disability, hearing impairment, ADHD, and speech disability, to name a few. Luckily, there are many resources out there now to make students鈥� transition into higher education less stressful.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a disability characterized by difficulty in learning to read, comprehend words, and interpret symbols and letters. This disability does not affect general intelligence. Students with dyslexia will often talk less, learn new words slower than average, and may experience a delay in learning to read from a young age. This disability cannot be cured, but can certainly be treated to improve the condition. Often times, there are tutoring services and specialized education programs to help students excel in school even with dyslexia. Below are just some tools that are useful for those with dyslexia during their college years.
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is dedicated to spreading and promoting dyslexia awareness through advocacy, education, and research.
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is a resource that includes all the different assistive technologies and college tips from dyslexic students. This way, incoming dyslexic students can use this information to prepare themselves for college.
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is an interesting article with some tips on applying to college as a dyslexic student.
Visually Impaired
Visually impaired students can often experience obstacles in learning because their eyesight cannot be corrected to a 鈥渘ormal level.鈥� There are different levels of visual impairment, and some students are blind. Blind students will often adapt to their condition and become familiar with different resources and tools to get by in life (and school). For example, they may use readers, Braille materials, and tape-recorded books and lectures to learn. Looking for some useful tools that will help visually impaired students during their college years? Take a look at some popular ones below.
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prepares its students who are blind with the skillsets, education, and confidence to live a fulfilling life to their utmost potential. You may apply for free access to the Perkins Library, where there are more than a half million books, newspapers, and publications that are in braille and digital audio formats.
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is committed to helping the blind, and here you鈥檒l find many resources for learning, finding work, and even recreation.
Autism
Autistic students often experience difficulty in building relationships with their peers and communicating with them. As a result, it can be a challenge to maneuver through college with this condition. Those with autism may also have obsessive interests and repetitive behaviors. Luckily, there are plenty of tools, software, and resources available to help autistic students thrive in the college setting. Check out some great ones below.
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is an organization that promotes the public advocacy and research for autism.
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is a network with awesome blog articles written by current and past college students with autism. They are able to share their experiences, provide insight and advice to others, and discuss their condition in relation to campus life. New college students with autism would benefit from checking this website out to learn about how students with the same condition have done to survive college.
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is a college support program designed to give students the opportunity to network, find mentors, and receive coaching as needed. It focuses on the academic success of students with disabilities, one of which is autism.
Physically Disabled
There are a plethora of physical disabilities that students have. Some examples include immobility, respiratory disorders, epilepsy, speech problems, and other impairments that may hinder the comfort of daily living. Depending on your needs and condition, the following tools may be useful in helping you to get through college. There are also plenty of online resources designed for students with physical disabilities to learn more effectively with their condition.
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provides assistance and resources for students with disabilities to be sure they are being properly accommodated. This organization also helps to make sure your educational institute is implementing the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards.
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is a lifestyle magazine for the physically disabled. It covers many important topics and current events that are relevant to its audience, with a supportive community.
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will help you plan any trips you may have, and to find places that are accommodating to the physically disabled.
Hearing Impaired & Deafness
Those who are hearing impaired or deaf may have difficulty in communicating with others. They rely heavily on sign language and written or printed text. They often develop lip-reading skills from young to convey what others are saying even though they may not be able to hear anything. Not being able to hear sound can be difficult in the classroom, but it鈥檚 not impossible to do well in school with hearing impairment. The following tools and resources are extremely helpful in making sure students are not missing out on lecture material and communicating with their peers.
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has an extensive library of videos with captions and descriptions. There are over 4,000 captioned media titles here for free.
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has a mission to make more educational and lifetime choices available to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may interfere with a student鈥檚 ability to control their impulses and pay attention in class when they need to. The disorder can also result in low self-esteem and troubled relationships. Unfortunately, this chronic condition cannot be cured. However, treatment may help, and usually take the form of medication and talk therapy. Additionally, there are a handful of resources out there designed to help students with ADHD to maintain focus on their work and get their studying done. The below mobile applications, technology software, and online resources have been helpful to many ADHD college students.
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is a huge resource for anyone with ADHD, with a specific section just for college students. Find everything you鈥檇 need at this site, from ADHD-friendly colleges, preparation for your first year of college, how to ace all your exams and develop good study habits, and much more.
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will help you by providing a great online community full of others with ADHD, to help you navigate your way through college life effectively. Hear success stories and where to find professional in-person help. This resource also has a section dedicated to college students.
Speech Disabled
Speech impairments can cause a student to be very withdrawn from class participation, as they either cannot speak verbally at all, or have problems with pronunciation, rate of speech - such as stuttering, long pauses, lots of filler words, or unable to control voice volume and pitch. Even students who have learned to cope with their speech impairment could have prior anxieties flare up in new situations within the classroom. There are many resources, from mobile applications, to computer software, and online support groups to help students with speech impairments make the most of their post-secondary education. If you or someone you know has a speech impairment, be sure to go through this list of helpful resources.
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is a fantastic support group that can be accessed online. Find local support groups, speech pathologists, and more on this site to assist you through college.
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will help you find other local support groups, assistive technology, organizations, and online forums to discuss with others who also have speech disabilities.
Tips for a Smooth Transition from High School to College
Leaving high school and starting college can be intimidating for any student. Students with disabilities may need extra attention and other requirements in order to transition smoothly. Thankfully, schools today offer plenty of assistive technology and specialized help to allow all students to overcome their unique challenges without too much difficulty. For example, many campuses offer the following resources to help disabled students adapt to their new learning environment and thrive in their classes:
- Sign language interpretation
- Assistive technology
- Modified exams
- Course substitutes
- Accessible student housing
- Priority class registration
Of course, each college will differ in the services and resources they offer. With that said, it鈥檚 recommended that students and parents conduct research at home, and ask faculty of potential colleges regarding the different types of accommodations that will be available at the school.
In addition to taking full advantage of the services and tools offered by college campuses, students of disabilities and their families can work on the following to ensure that the high school to college transition is as smooth as possible:
Understand and know your rights as a disabled student.
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 suggests that students with disabilities must receive equal access to educational services as those who do not have disabilities.
- Specifically, the law covers all students "with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. People who have a history of, or who are regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, are also covered. Major life activities include caring for one's self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, and learning."
- Students and parents should familiarize themselves with the entire document to become aware of the responsibilities a school has to fufill for disabled students.
Practice living independently.
- An exciting part about attending college is that for many young adults, it's their first time living away from home and independently. With that said, parents should work hard with their disabled child to simulate independent living.
- By teaching your prospective college student how to complete basic tasks like managing money or completing chores such as doing laundry, your child will feel more at ease and be more prepared for what college has to offer.
- It's best to start practicing the independent lifestyle in high school rather than wait until the first year of college.
Speak up when needed.
- While there are plenty of resources and assistive technology available to disabled students, it's important to know that sometimes, you'll have to speak up if you need something.
Know how you study best
- Compared to high school, coursework in college is often more challenging and intense. With that said, it's important to know how you study best and plan your work flow from there.
- If you need a specific type of assistive technology, it my be worth while to reach out to your professors earlier rather than later to get that all set up.
Excelling in College & Beyond
Even though most colleges today are taking a proactive role in making their campuses and classrooms for 鈥渦ser-friendly鈥� for students with disabilities, it is always helpful for students and parents to familiarize themselves with the ample resources available out there to maximize learning potential.
Depending on the disability, students may have additional needs that require attention. By taking advantage of all the technological resources, applications, and software made for assisting disabled students in the classroom, students may find it a lot easier to perform well in school. These tools will not only help them get by during their school years, but will likely come in handy in the years to come afterward as well!
