One key step to a successful transition from high school to college is to anticipate and be prepared for the differences between the two settings. This is especially true for students with disabilities. In addition to dealing with the same transition issues that all students face, they also have the added challenge of changes in how support services are requested and arranged. In college, students must play a more active role and assume more responsibility. The chart below compares the legal rights and responsibilities in high school versus those in college.
What is the law?
High School:
IDEA and Section 504
College:
ADA and Section 504 (Subpart E)
What is the intent of the law?
High School:
IDEA: To provide a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to students with disabilities.
504: To ensure that no otherwise qualified person with a disability is denied access to, benefits of, or is subjected to discrimination in any program or activity provided by any public institution or entity.
College:
To ensure that no otherwise qualified person with a disability will be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination by any program or activity provided by any public institution or entity.
Who is covered under the law?
High School:
All infants, children and youth requiring special education services until age 21 or graduation from high school.
College:
All qualified individuals with disabilities who meet the entry age level criteria or particular program entry criteria of the college and who can document the existence of a disability as defined by the ADA.
Who is responsible for identifying and documenting the need?
High School:
School districts are responsible for identifying, evaluating and planning educational services at no expense to the parent or individual.
College:
Students are responsible for self-identification and for obtaining disability documentation from a professional who is qualified to assess their particular disability. The student, not the institution, assumes the cost of the evaluation.
Who is responsible for initiating service delivery?
High School:
School districts are responsible for identifying students with disabilities and providing special instruction, individualized education plans, and/or accommodations.
College:
Students are responsible for notifying the Office of Disability Services staff of their disability and of their need for accommodations. Accommodations (not special education) are provided on a semester by semester basis in order for students with disabilities to have equal access to the institution’s programs, services and activities.
Who is responsible for enforcing the law?
High School:
IDEA is basically a funding statute, enforced by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services in the U.S. Department of Education. ADA/504 are civil rights statues, enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Justice, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
College:
Section 504 (Subpart E) is a civil rights statute enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Education. The ADA is also a civil rights statute enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
What about self-advocacy?
High School:
The parent or guardian is the primary advocate. Students with disabilities should learn about their disability, the importance of self-advocacy, the accommodation(s) they need, and ways to become a self-advocate.
College:
Students must be able to communicate what their disability is, their strengths, weaknesses, and how the disability impacts and functionally limits major life activities. They must be able to identify and justify any requested accommodations.
Document Source: Kay McVay, Faculty Development Specialist, PROJECT CONNECT, Henderson State University
