Special Needs Resource Directory

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, some school districts may let the student "walk through" or "socially" graduate with their class but defer receiving their diploma until they complete transition classes, job training programs or vocational school. This is up to the individual school district and local policies my vary. This should be discussed and included as 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.

Also, in Kentucky, in the certificate programs, typically students are told they can stay until they are 21 years old.  In Ohio you get a HS diploma, in KY you get a certificate of completion that is NOT equivalent to a HS diploma.

Students with disabilities who are covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should 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
• Exceeds the age eligibility for special education services, age 22 in Ohio 

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.

The summary is completed during the child's last year of high school. The specific timing during that last year is individually based on the child's postsecondary goal(s), so it may be different for all children. Ideally, the Summary of Performance should be completed near the end of the child's education program. The Summary of Performance is a document that the district is required to provide the child when the child exits high school.

Work with your school counselor to request accommodations such as extended time or small group testing for the ACT or SAT.

• Princeton Review has suggestions for requesting accommodations.
• ACT services for students with disabilities.
• SAT services for students with disabilities.

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.
• Pathways to Employment is a comprehensive work and life skills program from the Ohio Hamilton County Educational Services Center.
• Project SEARCH, at Cincinnati Children's, provides employment and education opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities.
• Center for Possibilities, located in Hobart, Indiana. provides adult program for students age 22 and above with a developmental disability focusing on the development of self-care skills, daily living skills and academic advancement
• 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. 

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 by 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 accessible 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 method 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.

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.

• Affordable Colleges for Students with Disabilities provides information on loans, grants and scholarships specifically for disabled students, as well as resources to help with the job search after graduation.
• Association of Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD) provides information and resources for students with disabilities attending college.
• College Programs for Learning and Attention Issues provides information on resources and supports in higher education.
• College of Mt. Saint Joseph Project EXCEL is a comprehensive academic support system for students with specific learning disabilities.
• Heath Resource Center is a national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.
• Indiana Commission for Higher Education provides information on the state's education programs, colleges and universities, financial aid assistance programs, grants, scholarships, continuing education programs, and career opportunities.
• Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority provides information on the state's education programs, colleges and universities, financial aid assistance programs, grants, scholarships, continuing education programs, and career opportunities.
• Mental Health Resources for College Students, located at OnlineColleges.net, offers information and resources covering common issues facing students, from depression and anxiety to substance abuse and eating disorders.
• National Center for Learning Disabilities has information and resources on transitioning to college and work.
• Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities has information about college options for students with disabilities.
• ThinkCollege.net has information on college programs for students with developmental disabilities.
• University of Cincinnati Transition and Access Program (TAP) is a four-year inclusive education for eligible students with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities. This option will allow for students to actively be involved in the college experience by participating in classes, working in professional internship and paid employment opportunities, and engaging in many social activities. TAP will provide the opportunity for students to achieve success and independence in a postsecondary experience on a traditional college campus with appropriate supports. Students who complete the program will receive a University Certificate, and will gain life skills, training, and experiences necessary for a successful future.
• 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.

• Affordable Colleges for Students with Disabilities provides information on loans, grants and scholarships specifically for disabled students, as well as resources to help with the job search after graduation.
• College Funding Strategies for Students with Disabilities, developed by the University of Washington Do-It program, provides detailed information and resources.
• 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.
• FastWeb provides information about local, national and college-specific scholarships.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ohio Board of Regents, State Grants and Scholarship Department
• Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
• Indiana Commission for Higher Education
• 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.
• Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Bureau of Vocational Resources
• Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services

• Center for Parent Information and Resources, part of the Department of Education, has comprehensive resources on special education, disabilities, postsecondary options, IDEA, Section 504, mental health, family supports and parent rights.
• 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.