College Dreams
For individuals with disabilities, access to a higher education does not end because of your disability. With the passage of Title II of the ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act – clear mandates are laid on requiring publicly-funded state and local universities, colleges, and vocational schools to be accessible to persons with disabilities. Title III covers the requirements for privately-funded higher education institutions. Let’s take a closer look as to exactly how these institutions are to attain and maintain ADA-compliance.
Buildings & Housing
For new construction and alterations, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design apply. Existing buildings and housing must be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Ramps, accessible curbs, and accessible furniture placement are some of the ways to retrofit existing buildings and housing to become ADA-compliant.
Service Animals
For students with disabilities that need to be accompanied by a service animal or emotional support animal, these animals must be allowed into campus areas. These animals must be trained specifically in support of the student’s disability.
Academic Accommodations
For students with “invisible disabilities”, such as a learning disability or ADHD, modifications must be made to accommodate that student’s needs. Allowing extra time for exams and providing quiet areas to take exams are some of the ways academic accommodations can be met on the campus.
Auxiliary Aids & Services
Per the Title II regulation, “A public entity shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a service, program, or activity conducted by a public entity”. These aids and services included taped texts, interpreters, Braille calculators, and assistive listening devices.
Additional Resources
For additional information on your rights for an accessible student experience, we invite you to visit the following websites:
bestcolleges.com/blog/how-to-access-college-disability-services/
College Reality
As you can see, making college a reality as a student with disabilities is within reach. There are mandated accommodations for both public and private institutions of higher education. Your disability is never the issue – the accommodation is. Feel free to make the most of the resources we’ve provided to help set you up on the right path to turning your college dreams into reality.