Transition to Postsecondary Education
Life After High School
Presentation by CDS/SNAP staff
An Open Letter to Parents of Students with Disabilities About to Enter College
Dr. Jane Jarrow has established a reputation for being knowledgeable and articulate in understanding and presenting the issues of importance related to disability in the higher education arena. She is a prolific author and an acknowledged leader in the field. Her professional involvement in this field spans more than 35 years and includes her long tensure as the Executive Director of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).
Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know your Rights and Responsibilities
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has developed several online resources to assist students and high school educators in understanding their rights and responsibilities as it pertains to higher education. This resource is geared for college-bound students. A few key points from this link focus on: differences between high school and college in regard to the law; example of academic accommodations; disability documentation typically requested; and discrimination policy. While this website has been created for students to understand their rights and responsibilities as a college-bound student, parents may find the information beneficial.
Helping Students with Disabilities Successfully Transition to College
Elizabeth Hamblet, a learning specialist at Columbia University (NY) has many years of experience working with students with disabilities transition to college; she has worked at the high school level and at other higher education institutions. On this website viewers can find a wealth of resources such as information for families and students and current college students.
Going to College – A Resource for Teens with Disabilities
This website was created by Virginia Commonwealth University. Going to College is a comprehensive online learning tool that students, who are considering a postsecondary education, can use while they are in high school. High school educators can incorporate this tool into their students’ transition goals on the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Parents or other family members supporting their college-bound student can encourage and talk about many of the activities included in the modules. Going to College is broken into three distinct sections – 1. My Place; 2. Campus Life; 3. Preparing for College. Students can complete various activities and watch videos of college students sharing their experiences as a student with a disability. This website allows students to learn how multi-faceted the college experience can be - from deciding on a college to having the right tools and strategies in place to successfully complete a college education.
This resource offers information to assist individuals with disabilities in making decisions about disclosing their disability to disability services providers and other college faculty/staff members.
Faces of Learning is an interactive website students can utilize to gain a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Students will also be able to discover their unique learning style, and as a result, “better ways to work and learn.”
College – Preparing for College and Succeeding in College
The Washington Do-It site provides useful information on concepts such as Universal Design or examples of possible accommodations for students with various disabilities. Many people – college professors, disability service coordinators, students, parents - can benefit from using the resources available on the University of Washington’s Do-It site. The College Resource section of the website provides information specifically for students on preparing for college and succeeding in college. Like many transition-related websites, high school teachers and parents may encourage their students to take advantage of the tools available on this website. Not only are resources about transitioning from high school to a four-year university or college listed, suggestions on a successful transition from community college to a four-year school is provided. Disability Service providers at the community college could recommend that students connected with their office review this website.
Navigating College – Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Navigating College is a project of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. This book (created by people with Autism) provides new or incoming college students, particularly with an Autism Spectrum Disorder insight from individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders who have been to college.