College Planning for Students with Disabilities & their Families

PRESENTED BY:

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BARBARA AHERN

DISABILITY SERVICES COORDINATOR

MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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MARCH15, 2022

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IEP’s and 504 Plans– What Happens after High School?

• IEP OR 504 SERVICES FROM HIGH SCHOOL END AT GRADUATION

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• STUDENTS APPLY AND DOCUMENT NEED FOR SERVICES IN COLLEGE

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• SCOPE OF COLLEGE DISABILITY SERVICES MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE IN HIGH SCHOOL

Differences between HS & College Services

K-12 Special Education

College Disability Servs.

• Authoring Legislation: IDEA
• Educational services
• Academic Adjustments
• Ancillary services
• Transportation

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• Authoring Legislation: ADA/Sec. 504
• Academic Accommodations
• Physical/Envir. Access
• Auxiliary Aids

Differences between HS & College Services

K-12 Special Education

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College Disability Servs.

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• School/district is responsible for identification of students with special needs
• IEP team determines appropriate services & supports

• Student declares disability to the college
• Student provides documentation
• Student and Disability Services personnel determine appropriate accommodations

Differences between HS & College Services

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K-12 Special Education

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College Disability Servs.

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• Teachers are informed by SPED personnel of students’ needs
• Course content may be modified
• Inclusion aides and Academic Support Ctr.
• Team monitors progress

• Student informs professors of accommodation needs
• Course content is not modified
• Personal aides & individualized support are not mandated
• Student self-monitors

Differences between HS & College Services

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K-12 Special Education

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College Disability Servs.

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• Accommodations support success
• Based on individual learning goals
• Course content may be modified

• Accommodations support access
• Based on standard of “reasonableness”
• “Reasonableness” aligns with the fundamental nature of course or program

Disability Services Process at Colleges

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STEP 1:

• Application through regular Admissions process
• Common or institution-specific application
• Essays
• Transcript
• Standardized testing scores
• Recommendations
• Interview

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Disability Services Process at Colleges

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STEP 2:

• Application to Disability Services Office
• Voluntary Statement of Special Learning Needs form (MCC)
• Current Documentation of Disability(ies)
• Psycho-educational assessment reports
• Neuropsychological evaluation
• Psychiatric diagnostic report (including for ADHD)
• Medical/sensory diagnostic information
• Other, as appropriate to nature of disability

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Disability Services Process at Colleges

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STEP 3:

• Intake Meeting with Disability Specialist
• Discuss academic goals
• Describe educational history/previous supports
• Identify learning strengths & challenges
• Collaborate in determining effective accommodations
• Learn about process for accessing accommodations
• Learn about college-wide & disability-specific supports
• Outcome: development of Accommodation Plan

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Disability Services Process at Colleges

STEP 4:

• Accommodation Plan in Action: Students -
• Pick up copies of Plan at the start of each semester
• Submit copy to each professor
• Follow institution’s policies & procedures for using accommodations; examples:
• Scheduling to take tests with accommodations
• Requesting copies of notes
• Making appointments for check-ins at DS Office
• Accessing assistive technology/equipment
• Requesting alternate-format textbooks

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Disability Services Process at Colleges

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• Accommodations at College:
• Are determined through a collaborative process
• Are not based on IEP/504 Plan accommodations,

personal preferences, or “learning style”

• Are based on supporting documentation
• Measured against “reasonable” standard
• Do not undermine College’s academic standards
• Do not include modification of content or program
• Are subject to a college’s specific policies and procedures

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Disability Services Process at Colleges

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• Post-secondary disability services are:
• Voluntary
• Initiated by student
• Individualized/case-by-case
• Based on current impact/functional limitations
• About access - to programs, materials, activities, spaces
• Covered by FERPA
• Governed by ADA, Sec. 504, and applicable state laws

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Middlesex CC Resources

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Disability Support Services

https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/disabilityservices/

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TRiO Program for Student Achievement

https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/triopsa/

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ACE Tutoring Center

https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/ace/

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Success Scholars Program

https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/successscholars/

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Wellness & Essential Needs

https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/wellnessandessentialneeds/

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Massachusetts Resources & Agencies �

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• Mass. Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)
• Mass. Commission for the Blind
• Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Department of Mental Health
• Department of Developmental Services
• Asperger’s/Autism Network (AANE)
• MGH Aspire Program College Boot Camp

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Online Resources for Students & Parents

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http://www.ldonline.org/article/11772/

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transitionguide.html

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https://ldadvisory.com/

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https://www.rochester.edu/college/disability/assets/pdf/Open-Letter-to-Parents.pdf

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https://www.pacer.org/transition/learning-center/planning/college-planning.asp

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https://www.educationquest.org/pdfs/Disability_Handbook.pdf

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https://www.understood.org/articles/en/7-things-to-know-about-college-disability-services 

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Visit Middlesex Community College

• Spring, 2022 Open Houses:

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• Lowell Campus, Wednesday, April 6, 5:00 p.m.

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• Bedford Campus, Wednesday, April 13, 5:00 p.m.

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• Virtual Open House, Tuesday, April 26, 5:00 p.m.

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To register:

• https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/admissions/openhouse/openhouse.aspx

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Contact Information

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Barbara R. Ahern

Disability Support Coordinator

Middlesex Community College

Springs Road, Bedford, MA

781.280.3677

ahernb@middlesex.mass.edu