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A "Good Fit" College
If a student is prepared for the rigor of post-secondary education, college may be a fit for your child! A "Good Fit" college includes setting, environment, supports, size, distance from home, transportation, and much more. Determine which supports, accommodations, and needs are most important for your child's success when researching schools.
Things to keep in mind:
Things to keep in mind:
Self Advocacy - for many of these schools and programs, it is on the student to attend appointments, seek additional assistance, and ask for what they need. There are different levels of support and different types of programs, but students are still treated as adults.
Visit and/or speak to someone in the Learning Disability Services Office before enrolling. Information helps to guide the process, but students need to know where to find their resources on campus.
According to the Department of Education:
"Section 504 requires recipients to provide to students with disabilities appropriate educational services designed to meet the individual needs of such students to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities are met"
In college, an IEP turns into a 504. With proper documentation, colleges must provide reasonable accommodations, but they are generally not as extensive as they are in elementary, middle, and high school.
Without a specialized program or additional supports, colleges generally provide the following accommodations (depending on a students documentation):
Extended time on exams
Use of laptops for tests and exams
Use of calculators for tests and exams
Permission to make audio recordings of classes
Copy of notes
Access to audiobooks
Access of text-to-speech programs and other assistive technology
Some schools have strong supports through their Office of Disabilities and through a student's 504.
If your child requires more support, a 4 year college with fee based support programs or a college specifically for students with learning disabilities might be a better fit!
Note: Many colleges have wonderful Offices of Disability where students with IEP/504 can apply for accommodations. Please speak to your High School Counselor about colleges that have strong basic accommodations and supports if a fee based support program is not for you.
4 Year Colleges with support programs
4 Year Colleges with support programs
Students who want to attend a 4 year college but need more support than accommodations provided by a 504 should consider a Learning Support Program. Students in these programs are expected to complete college level work and are a part of the larger campus community. The support programs are generally fee based. Students often work with 1:1 with professionals and staff, in groups or with mentors, and may have additional support courses added to their schedule (executive functioning etc). For most, if not all programs, students must be admitted to the college and then apply to the additional support program.
*Note: there are also a few colleges that are exclusively for students with disabilities in the list below
2 Year Colleges
2 Year Colleges
Community Schools
Community Schools
Receiving an associates degree or choosing to take courses at a community college is a wonderful way for students to try college level courses before committing to a four year school
Students can take one course or a few, they can work towards an Associates Degree or plan to transfer to a four year college after a semester or two
Students can apply for a receive accommodations through a 504 at the community college level
Bergen Community College for example has Academic Counselors, Career Counselors, Mental Health Counselors, and Transfer Counselors (see link below)
Every county in New Jersey has a community school!
Non Degree Seeking Programs
Non Degree Seeking Programs
Some traditional colleges offer non degree seeking programs for students with diverse learning needs. Typically students are able to live on campus and participate in campus activities, but do not receive a degree after completion. Students are able to audit college level classes while also strengthen their independent living skills and career readiness. Programs range from 2-4 years long.
Spotlight: Turning Point Program at BCC
Spotlight: Turning Point Program at BCC
The Turning Point Program at Bergen Community College (BCC) is a wonderful option for students with intellectual disabilities who are not seeking a four year degree but want a college experience and career preparation
BCC is only 2.2 miles from Ridgewood High School!
Important Information:
2 year program
For students with Intellectual Disabilities (I/DD) - testing is reviewed during admissions process
Applications are reviewed by 4 members of a committee in addition to an interview with the director
TP PROGRAM YEAR 1:
TP classes run 930am - 3pm each day and are geared towards a student's intellectual disability
5 hours a week of mentoring with college students
5 hours a week of on campus internships
1 college elective course
TP PROGRAM YEAR 2:
Prior to year two, students meet and work with supervisor of career placement to determine a career pathway
Take classes in the area of their choice
Less TP classes, no more 1:1 mentoring (drop in still available)
More social events and tutoring
Begin to prep for off campus internships - spring of year 2 the internships off campus begin
Success 101 is a very popular class that some students are required to take and some choose to
Director speaks proudly of the students making friends across campus and being integrated socially
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