Differences between high school and college disability services

High schools are required to:

• Identify students with disabilities
• Provide assessment of learning disabilities
• Classify disabilities according to specified diagnostic categories
• Involve parents or guardians in placement decisions
• Provide certain nonacademic services
• Place students in programs where they can benefit (in any way) by placement committee with parent participation and approval
• Structure a large part of the student’s weekly schedule
• Modify educational programs
• Prepare Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs)
• Provide a free and appropriate education
• Provide appropriate services by school nurse or health service

Colleges are required to:

• Protect a student’s right to privacy and confidentiality
• Provide access to programs and services
• Inform students of office location and procedures for requesting accommodations
• Accept and evaluate verifying documentation
• Determine (via documentation) that an impairment causes a substantial limitation on a major life activity
• Determine for students who are otherwise qualified for participation in the program or service whether a reasonable accommodation is possible
• Make reasonable accommodations for students who meet the above criteria
• Provide reasonable access to program and service choices equal to those available to general public
• Suggest reasonable adjustments in teaching methods that do not alter the essential content of a course or program
• Assure that off-campus and contracted program facilities also comply with Section 504 (Subpart E) and ADA
• Inform students of their rights and responsibilities

However, colleges 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 attendants
• Provide personal or private tutors (but tutoring services normally available to persons without disabilities must be accessible to persons with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for those services
• Prepare “Individual Education Plans” (IEPs)