Information for Parents and Family Members
There are many
differences between high school and college,
including laws pertaining to students with
disabilities, student responsibilities (social,
academic, personal), and adjustment to a new
environment.
| High School |
Postsecondary Institutions |
Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) |
| Covers ages 3-21 or until regular high
school diploma requirements are met |
Covers students with disabilities
regardless of age; schools may not
discriminate in recruitment, admission,
or during enrollment, solely on the
basis of a disability |
| Schools are required to identify students
with disabilities through free
assessment and the individualized education
program (IEP) process |
Students are required to submit
documentation establishing their
disability and need for
accommodations. Services are only
provided once a student self-identifies
and provides appropriate
documentation. Postsecondary
institutions are not required to evaluate
or test students |
| Students receive special education and
related services to address needs based
on an identified disability |
Formal special education services are
not available |
| Services include individually
designed instruction, modifications,
and accommodations based on the IEP |
Reasonable accommodations may be
made to provide equal access and
participation |
| Progress toward IEP goals is monitored and communicated to the parents and/or student |
Students are required to monitor their own progress and communicate their needs to appropriate personnel |
Adapted from Opening Doors to Postsecondary Education and Training, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, September 2003
Here are some considerations for you as your child transitions to UConn:
- Students have new freedoms and new responsibilities and must make decisions on their own.
- Students must manage their own time and arrange their own schedules.
- Students must seek out assistance and campus resources.
- Students must develop strategies and learn how to advocate for themselves.
- Accommodations provided in high school may not necessarily be appropriate at the postsecondary level.
At postsecondary institutions students have the responsibility to:
- Self-identify or disclose their disability to the designated office for disability services.
- Provide documentation from an appropriate professional source that verifies the nature of the disability, functional limitations, and the need for specific
accommodations.
- Act as independent adults and use appropriate self-advocacy skills.
- Arrange for and obtain their own personal assistants, tutoring, and individually designed assistive technologies.
Postsecondary institutions are not required to:
- Reduce or waive any of the essential requirements of a course or program.
- Conduct testing and assessment of learning, psychological or medical disabilities.
- Provide personal assistants.
- Provide personal or private tutoring.
- Prepare Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Postsecondary institutions are not required to:
- Reduce or waive any of the essential requirements of a course or program.
- Conduct testing and assessment of learning, psychological or medical disabilities.
- Provide personal assistants.
- Provide personal or private tutoring.
- Prepare Individualized Education Plans
(IEPs).
|
Download
This information is also available as a PDF brochure.
|
