Louisiana College Guidebook for Parents and Students

Louisiana College Guidebook for Parents and Students

on Higher Education and Disability

Acknowledgments

This guide was written for students with disabilities who are interested in attending postsecondary institutions. The MO AHEAD Executive Board gave me, Laura S. Nata, permission to use this material to the benefit of your students. Copyright MO AHEAD, 2006.

A special thanks to my son Stephan N. Nata who edited the revision of this handbook in 2009. And a special thanks to the team of people from ALL agencies that support all young students to success. Mom's and Dad's this is for you:

The bittersweet process of "letting go" allows for time to examine the fears which surround any life change. A willingness to "let go" acknowledges feelings of success as parents, recognizes the rights, abilities, and potential of children and young adults, and sets the stage for future growth and independence.

"Letting Go":

? is an individual issue. It's natural to have mixed feelings about sons and daughters moving on. The feelings of joy and sorrow, fear and relief are familiar to all parents.

? is an issue common to all parents. When life changes occur, parents and their sons and daughters experience a wide range of feelings. The issues can become more complex and personal when disabilities and/or chronic illness are involved.

? is a logical outcome of normalization. It is what parents have worked on for years. In the days when people with a chronic illness or disability were educated in segregated sites and had fewer opportunities to participate in the larger community, "letting go" was perhaps easier than it is today.

? is parents allowing their sons and daughters to achieve degrees of independence, which is, after all, every person's right. The freedom to have opportunities to increase knowledge and develop skills promotes the growth of personal competence and genuine self-esteem.

? is a continuous process that occurs as children grow and mature into young adults. Believing in the abilities of children and being realistic about potential problems are important to the process. Being optimistic about finding solutions about the future makes the process easier.

Adapted from: 1991 PACER Center, Inc.

When it is time for young adults to move on, parents have earned the right to rejoice in their accomplishments as parents and in the strength and abilities of their children. Congratulation to you Moms, Dads, and young adults!

"Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another." ? John Dewey

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Louisiana College Guidebook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................ i Introduction to Louisiana College Guidebook.................................................................. 1 How to Use This Guide ................................................................................................... 2 Section 1 - Documentation ........................................................................................... 4 What Diagnostic Information Will I Need for: Accommodations on College Entrance Exams? ........................................................................................................................... 5 What Diagnostic Information Will I Need For Accommodations/Academic Adjustments in College? .......................................................................................................................... 6 What Diagnostic Information Will I Need for Documentation of Learning Disabilities?.... 6 What Diagnostic Information Will I Need For Documentation of ADHD?......................... 7 What Diagnostic Information Will I Need For Documentation of Disabilities Other Than Learning Disabilities or ADHD?....................................................................................... 8 Section 2 - Laws ............................................................................................................ 9 Comparison between IDEA, SECTION 504, and the ADA ............................................ 10 Comparison of Responsibilities under P.L. 94-142 Amendments and Section 504 and ADA............................................................................................................................... 11 Section 3 - Transition.................................................................................................. 12 Legal Differences between High School and College.................................................... 13 Academic Environment Differences between High School and College....................... 13 Responsibility Differences between High School and College ...................................... 15 Stress/Support and Physical Environment Differences between High School and College .......................................................................................................................... 16 Differences between Vocational Technical Schools, Community Colleges, and Bachelor Degree/Colleges & Universities..................................................................................... 17 What to Expect from Postsecondary Institutions ........................................................... 18 Importance of Technology............................................................................................. 18 Audio Textbooks............................................................................................................ 19 Learning Styles ............................................................................................................. 20 Information Regarding Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Regional Center ....... 20 Student Responsibilities ................................................................................................ 21 Section 4 - Preparation ............................................................................................... 22 What Parents Can Do To Help Students with Disabilities Prepare For Postsecondary Education ...................................................................................................................... 23 What Students Can Do To Prepare For Postsecondary Education............................... 25 Junior Year Checklist .................................................................................................... 25 Senior Year Check List.................................................................................................. 28 Get Ready For Your First Meeting with the College/University Disability Support Services ........................................................................................................................ 33 Residential Housing Considerations.............................................................................. 37 Tips on Self-Advocacy................................................................................................... 39 Sample Letter to Admissions Office .............................................................................. 40 Sample Letter to Disability Support Services Office ...................................................... 41 Postsecondary Education Inquiry Form Regarding Services for Deaf and Hard-ofHearing Students........................................................................................................... 42

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