Accommodation Differences

K-12 Versus College
 

As you transition to the college level, both you and your family should be aware that the accommodation process changes when you go from secondary to postsecondary education.  The IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and its IEP (Individualized Education Program) provisions do not apply to postsecondary school.  Instead, colleges and universities are guided by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Accommodations which students receive in high school may not be applicable in college.  The table below may be instructive in clarifying some of the differences between services in high school vs. services in college.

 

High School

Postsecondary

Laws IDEA & Section 504 Section 504 & ADA
Responsibility  

School district identifies, evaluates and plans educational interventions in attempt to facilitate student success

Students must self-identify, provide their documentation, and request disability services to facilitate access

Parental Rights       

Parents/Guardians are involved and must approve plan for students under 18

Students 18 and over are their own advocates; parents are not involved; FERPA law applies, mandating non-disclosure to parents

Services  

School may provide academic and non-academic services

Students are provided access to any service, program or activity sponsored by the institution. Services of a personal nature (personal care, personal attendants, academic coaches, readers, typists, etc. for out of class work) are the responsibility of the student

Accommodations       

Educational programs, student outcomes, class requirements, etc. may be modified to facilitate student success

Reasonable accommodations are provided, based on student request, to facilitate access; success is the responsibility of the student and the fundamental nature and outcomes of classes are not modified

Plans 

IEPs and 504 Plans are provided

Accommodation sheets are developed each semester and it is the responsibility of the student to request the sheets at ADAcompliance@maritime.edu, by providing the names of the instructors and the courses that they teach.

Confidentiality 

The school district shares student plans with school personnel as deemed appropriate

The student is in charge of his/her disability information and disclosure is made only at the request of the student or on a need to know basis

Intent

Legal Mandate with aim to foster success

Civil rights, non-discrimination to foster access

 

Please note that a disability is defined as any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; having a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.

What should students expect in working with an academic accessibility services coordinator at an institution of postsecondary education?

An academic accessibility services coordinator evaluates documentation, works with students to determine appropriate services, notifies instructors regarding accommodations when requested, and deals with problems as they arise. The coordinator is generally available to students Monday through Friday, 0800-1600.  While appointments are not required, they are strongly encouraged.

In addition, the Academic Resource Center provides services not covered by student accommodations, including tutoring, advising services, and information regarding organization, time management, study skills, and more.