In the 21st century students graduating from high school or obtaining a GED certificate should consider attending a post-secondary school. Community colleges, vocational and technical schools, and universities are post-secondary institutions from which candidates earn degrees, vocational certification or preparation for employment. In the upcoming global community the extra training provided by these institutions will be needed by all students.
Nation-wide, colleges and universities are mandated under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to provide free academic services to students who self-identify disability and provide medical or professional documentation from health care providers.
If you do not need help, you do not have to tell the college or university that you have a disability. However, you must identify yourself as having a disability if you want help.
Things to be done now:
Documentation needed for services include but are not limited to:
- Secondary school IEP
- Secondary School 504 Plan
- Documentation from a medical professional
- Psychological Evaluation- no older than 3 years
Meet with teachers and school transition team to discuss academic choices
Visit schools, training facilities and support services
- Set up a meeting with the accessibility/disability center at schools you are interested in attending
Resources:
Northeastern University: http://www.neiu.edu/Home/
City Colleges of Chicago: www.ccc.edu/; 226 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, IL 60606; (312) 553-2530
Central organization of a network of seven community colleges throughout Chicago.
Conveniently located across the city, the seven colleges include: Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S Truman College, Harold Washington College and Wilbur Wright College. City Colleges also oversees: the award-winning Washburne Culinary Institute, the French Pastry School, the Parrot Cage Restaurant at South Shore Cultural Center, the Sikia Banquet Facility, five Child Development Centers, the Center for Distance Learning, the Workforce Institute, the public broadcast station WYCC TV Channel 20 and radio station WKKC FM 89.3.
Options for College Success: Options encourages learning challenged post secondary students to transition to living independently and working productively by supporting the skills needed to succeed in life; 820 Davis Street Suite 455. Evanston, IL. 60201. Phone: 847-425-4797. Fax: 847-425-4798. Info@optionsforcollegesuccess.org
www.thinkcollege.net: Doors to colleges are opening for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities all over the country. This website is designed to share what is currently going on, provide resources and strategies, let you know about training events, and talk to others about your goals.
http://advocacyinstitute.org/projects/postsec_realistic_option.shtml: College opportunities for student with learning disabilities.