PREPARING FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS:
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PLOTTING YOUR PATH, AND MAKE WISE CHOICES

When it comes to preparing for college, making informed decisions and managing your ever-changing expectations are key first steps, says Chris Rosa, Ph.D., Dean of Student Affairs at the City University of New York (CUNY).

“College is emerging as an expectation for those with a disability – in this age and economy, college is more crucial than ever,” said Rosa, who is a member of MDA’s Board of Directors as well as its National Task Force for Public Awareness, and has Becker muscular dystrophy.        

Chris Rosa

“Preparation begins by doing a self-assessment and being ready to meet the rigors and responsibilities of college life. Students with a disability who can articulate needs and ensure appropriate accommodations in a secondary setting will be more successful,” Rosa said. “This preparation includes having all of the appropriate disability documentation to validate and inform those (accommodation) needs.” 

Rosa said that students entering college should anticipate a different culture in college from high school and that, in part, this change stems from the different laws that govern and protect opportunities for students with disabilities in secondary & postsecondary educational settings. Elementary through high school years fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that guarantees equal opportunities and relies on a team that includes parents, teachers, and advocates to promote student success.

Higher education opportunities are governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, which after its 2008 revision is called the ADA Amendments Act , or ADAAA). IDEA’s emphasis is on ensuring student success, whereas the ADA emphasizes that colleges and universities must ‘level the playing field’ for students with disabilities by ensuring the same opportunities that are available to other students, all based on merit.

“The difference is subtle but significant,” Rosa said, highlighting that in college, the responsibility of advocating for rights and opportunities, as well as articulating needs, resides with the individual student.  That means that the transition time between high school and college is crucial.

“Increasingly, we are seeing students with a greater level of college readiness due to IDEA. Today’s generation is better prepared academically, which includes taking a high school curriculum that gives them the college core competencies to be ready,” Rosa said.
 
However, students also need to be prepared socially: identifying and resolving accommodation needs and preparing for the social demands of college is crucial, Rosa said. “College offers a lot of freedom, especially for those with disabilities.  Make good choices - social and academic.”

TIPS FOR COLLEGE TRANSITION

Rosa offers these tips to help make the best choices, keep a healthy life balance, and ease the transition to college:
 
Start in high school with the IEP or 504 Plan: A student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan should specify what their aspirations are and set individualized goals, so they can fully participate in secondary school life with an eye toward college readiness.  Community resources also aid in success.  “Late in the junior year, and all of senior year, students should be involved in their state office of vocational rehabilitation,” he said .  This valuable resource aids in the transition to college and can offer support for tuition, books, transportation, assistive technology, personal assistance, and other needs.

Make accessibility a priority: When the time comes to begin evaluating and choosing colleges, accessibility is an important consideration. The ADAAA requires that all college programs and resources be accessible.  However, Rosa said, the reality is that some do it better than others do.  Primarily, students should choose their college or university based on the same considerations as anyone: academic programs and campus life, with the understanding that access is a major concern. 

Visit a campus: “You can do lots of research and see the campus experience firsthand.  Talk to other students, students with disabilities, and ask about access, the campus climate - the full participation and embracing of students with disabilities.”

Is the college diverse? It is important to assess whether a campus is truly inclusive and incorporates disability in their vision of diversity. A good sign of a college “walking the walk and talking the talk” when it comes to people with disabilities fully participating in all aspects of college life is whether the institution offers disability studies programs. “In order for disability to be included in diversity, disability must be a feature of the institution’s academic life.  When disability studies courses and programs are offered, it is incredibly affirming for students with disabilities to see their experiences reflected in the curriculum. It is a good sign that the campus is committed to including people with disabilities in their vision of campus diversity.”

Balancing social and academic demands:  “In the secondary school setting, social dimensions and activities are designed to be inclusive - individuals can be swept up in their momentum. College is self-directed and students have to initiate leadership and engage in co-curricular activities. Students need to be assertive, self-starters, who seek out social opportunities,” Rosa said.

Get involved: Ultimately, what makes or breaks college for all students is academic success and involvement.  “Participating in co-curricular opportunities helps you feel connected and is a great way to meet other people.  It is a way to prepare for the ultimate transition - to work – and develops leadership abilities.” 

Seek out additional help: Rosa recommends resources such as the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), “a national professional association that helps families and is a great resource.” Your local Independent Living Center (ILC) is also a valuable resource for benefits counseling. “Aside from financial aid, students can identify funding streams such as Medicaid for personal assistance and other state and community resources. ILCs can also teach individuals how to manage personal assistants - a sophisticated, acquired skill,” he said.