Students with Learning Differences

Accessing Accommodations in College

High school accommodation plans (504 Plan, IEP) will not automatically travel with you to your college campus. However, colleges do provide accommodations to students who are eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The purpose of the ADA is to ensure equal access to students with diagnosed disabilities and learning differences, and to protect against discrimination. The disability and learning difference service model is different in college, and students must initiate the process.

• In order to access accommodations, the student must register with the college’s Disability Services Office (also known as Student Support Services, Accessibility Services, etc.). Every college and university has an office on campus designated for students with disabilities and learning differences. **It is recommended that students initiate this process in the summertime in order to ensure that accommodations are in place before classes begin.**

• Many colleges have specific registration instructions on their website, so start there. An example of registration instructions can be found here, on the UMass Amherst Disability Services website: https://www.umass.edu/disability/students

• Colleges may vary in their requirements for documentation, but every Disability Services office will require some form of documentation of your diagnosed disability/learning difference. Some examples of documentation include: 504 plan, Individualized Education Program (IEP), Neuropsychological testing, letter from a qualified medical/psychological professional, etc. Students can request a copy of their 504 plan from their School Counselor. 

• Once you have completed the registration process, including submitting documentation, the Disability Services office will contact you to schedule an intake meeting. This is an opportunity to share more details about the disability/learning difference, and to discuss specific accommodations. The intake meeting is a great opportunity to ask questions, and to make a connection with someone on campus who is invested in your success.