Education

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College and Postsecondary Options

Children with disabilities have several options available to continue their education in postsecondary schools and programs, including vocational schools, job training programs, transition programs, colleges and universities. However, the often extensive special education services provided in high school are not required in many postsecondary programs. It is therefore important for students to be well informed about their rights and learn to advocate for their needs.

The Center for Infants and Children with Special Needs at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides information and resources to help families learn about their rights in postsecondary programs.

Deferrred Graduation

Students with disabilities who are covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) can receive services until they reach age 22. When students have the required high school credits, they can "walk through" graduation with the rest of their class but defer receiving their diploma until they complete transition classes, job training programs or vocational school. This should be part of the IEP transition plan. The advantage to the student is the continued support for a free appropriate public education, special education and related services. These protections will not be provided after graduation.

Graduation / Summary of Performance

Students with disabilities who are covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) must receive a Summary of Performance document to assist with transitioning from high school to postsecondary programs and activities. It is required when a student:

Graduates from high school with a regular high school diploma
Reaches the age of 22 and leaves the public school

The Summary of Performance indicates the student's academic achievement, functional skills and recommendations on how to reach postsecondary goals. It is completed during the last year the student is in high school and provides guidance so the student knows what accommodations and supports might be helpful in postsecondary settings.

Understanding the Summary of Performance details the purpose and goals.

Vocational and Transition Programs

Many school districts provide their own transition and work study classes and programs for students on an IEP. Students practice skills for independent living while a work / study coordinator arranges for job experiences. Students can either continue to earn credits towards graduation through some of these programs or defer graduation and receive a diploma when the programs are completed. Some options are located outside of the public school:

Great Oaks is a career development center the covers the Greater Cincinnati area.
Project SEARCH, at Cincinnati Children's, provides employment and education opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities.
Pathways to Employment is a comprehensive work and lifeskills program from the Hamilton County Educational Services Center.
Non-degree Postsecondary Options for Individuals with Disabilities Part I provides an overview of postsecondary options for employment, transition and life skills development.
Non-degree Postsecondary Options for Individuals with Disabilities Part II provides a list of alternative life skills programs for students with developmental disabilities.

Colleges and Universities

When a student with a disability graduates from high school and enters a postsecondary school, such as a college or university, they are no longer covered by an IEP. Students lose the guarantee of a free appropriate public education. Eligible students are covered Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibit discrimination on the basis of a disability. An individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning or working. Almost every postsecondary school is subject to one or both of these laws. They must insure that their educational programs, extracurricular activities, buildings and housing are accesible to students with disabilities. However, unlike high school, postsecondary schools are only required to provide reasonable academic adjustments including accommodations and modifications.

Accommodations are approved on the basis of the student's disability and individual needs. Examples can include priority registration, reduced course load, note takers, recording devices, sign language interpreters, extended time for testing, modified teaching methods or adaptive software or hardware for school computers. The school is not required to lower the essential requirements of a class. For example, although the school may be required to provide extended testing time, it is not required to change the content of the test. In addition, the postsecondary school does not have to provide personal attendants, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature, such as tutoring and typing.

Unlike the public school district, the postsecondary school is not required to identify students with disabilities and evaluate their needs. Students must inform the school that they have a disability and need assistance. Schools usually require documentation prepared by an appropriate professional, such as a physician or psychologist. The IEP or 504 Plan from high school may help identify services that have been helpful, but it is not considered to be sufficient documentation.

Association of Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD) provides information and resources for students with disabilities attending college.
Colleges with Programs for Learning Disabled Students provides information on resources and supports in higher education.
Columbus State Community College offers a Community/Habilitation Assistant Certificate Program for students who have a developmental disability. Course work is adapted to a fifth grade reading level. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as an assistant in the MR/DD field.
Heath Resource Center is a national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.
National Center for Learning Disabilities has information and resources on transitioning to college and work.
Schwab Learning provides information and resources on colleges and universities for students with learning disabilities and ADHD.
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities hasinformation about college options for students with disabilities.
ThinkCollege.net has information on college programs for students with developmental disabilities.
University of Washington Do-It program provides information and resources for students with disabilities.

Almost every postsecondary school has a Disability Services Coordinator, Section 504 or ADA Coordinator. Students can contact this person with their concerns. The school must also have grievance procedures that provide for the prompt resolution of complaints. If the student is not satisfied, a complaint can be filed with the U.S. Office for Civil Rights.

Financial Aid

College Funding Strategies for Students with Disabilities, developed by the University of Washington Do-It program, provides detailed information and resources.
Creating Options: Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities, developed by the Heath Resource Center, provides an overview of aid options and details specific programs for support.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a required application for all federal and government-guaranteed commercial lenders' programs—as well as for many state, regional and private student aid programs. By filling out the online or paper FAFSA, applicants start the process of qualifying for aid.
Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, helps ensure that all eligible individuals benefit from federal financial assistance including grants, loans and work-study programs, for education beyond high school. These programs comprise the nation's largest source of student aid. They also provide a helpful student loan comparison chart.
Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities provides links to loan and grant opportunities.
Simple Tuition provides comprehensive information on student loan options for higher education.
Stafford Loans are federal student loans made available to college and university students to supplement personal and family resources, scholarships, grants and work study.
State Higher Education Agencies provide information on the state's education programs, colleges and universities, financial aid assistance programs, grants, scholarships, continuing education programs, and career opportunities.

Student Loan Network provides information on federal loan programs.
TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. You should contact the financial aid office at the college where you will be enrolled.
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities has links to general funding resources and college options for students with disabilities.
Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies help people who have physical or mental disabilities prepare for, find or keep employment. Services can include counseling and guidance to help the individual plan vocational goals, adjust to the working world, training to learn job skills in trade school, college, university, on the job or at home.

Additional Resources

Transition provides additional information and resources on the passage from child-centered activities to adult-oriented activities.
PACER Center provides information on ADA and Section 504 and postsecondary education.
U.S. Office for Civil Rights has information for students with disabilities preparing for postsecondary education.
Wrightslaw provides resources to help college students with disabilities.