Comparison of Disability in High School and College 

Disability Services for Students 

High School College 
Under IDEA, children with disabilities are absolutelyentitled 
to a “Free and Appropriate Public Education.” 
Equal access to education is the order of the day– no one is 
entitled to anything, but rather students have civil rights and theymust advocate for themselves in order to enjoythose rights. 
Section 504 in the public schools includes “Free and Appropriate Public Education” language, and accommodations mayinclude a shortening of assignments, or the use of notes on tests, when other students cannot use 
them. 
Section 504 is the first civil rights legislation that applied to colleges. It upholds the institution’s right to maintain the 
academic standards, andno accommodations maybe permitted to reduce that standard for anystudent. Thus there isno “free” 
education, and shortening assignments and usingnotes when other students donot are not considered “reasonable 
accommodations.” 
Plans, either the IEP or a 504 Plan, drove all services and accommodations, and involved the teachers, counselors, and absolutelyrequired a parent’s signature. 
There is no plan, and instructors are not contacted, except by the 
student. In fact, parents maynot receive even a student’s grades 
without the student giving written permission. 
“Placement” is determined bythe child’s “team,” and outlined in the plan, and must, bylaw, be in the least restrictive 
environment. 
Placement integration is assumed, and is the order of the day. 
We adjust the environment through accommodations, but we 
don’t deliberate and select the environment for the student in advance. 
Students were qualified for public education simplyby being of the appropriate age, and because theyhad a disability. 
“Otherwise qualified,” in college, means that the student must 
meet all entrance and academic requirements, whether they receive accommodations or not. 
Everybodyknew about a student’s placement, and practically everybodysigned the plan. Each teacher would know about a 
student even before he or she entered the classroom, andhave 
a good idea what the student’s needs were. 
DSS never contacts a professor without express permission from 
the student. Thus, the student must initiate all actions regarding accommodation with each professor, for each course, every semester. In addition, studentshave the civil right to refuse 
accommodations theydon’t need or want; and if theydo not 
request an accommodation it is assumed theydo not want it. 
Public schools, for the most part, areresponsible for appropriate assessment of a student’s disability. 
Higher education does not have to assess the student, but can expect that the student will provide proof of their disability within accepted guidelines. 
Some subjects mayhave been waived for a student before 
graduation, iftheywere specificallyrelated to the student’s 
disability. 
Substitutions for specific graduation requirements maybe 
requested byfollowing a rigorous petition process, but 
“waivers” for requirements are never granted. Substitutionsare 
also granted typicallyafter the student has both provided adequate verification to DSS of their disabilityand 
unsuccessfullyattempted the courses in question with the 
appropriate accommodations recommended byDSS. 
Labels are a wayto categorize people. Student has a right to disclose to whom and when theychoose, 
but must own their disabilityin order to enjoya level playing field. 
Assessment, physical or other therapy, or personal care 
provided byschool while in school. 
Student is responsible for personal services personal care, 
medical and related requirements, just as if they would if they were living independentlyandnot attending school. 
Students often receive “Untimed tests” 
if theyhave a 
disability. 
“Untimed tests” 
are not reasonable, but time extensions may be 
reasonable, typicallytimeandahalf 
but no more than double 
time. 
Teachers maybe expected to learn all theycan about the 
disabilityof a student in one of their classes. 
Professors need know onlythat which applies tothe 
accommodations the student requests.