Disability Resources

Myths, Assumptions and Unreasonable Requests

College Admissions Myths

• Because I have a disability, admission requirements will not apply to me.
• Colleges pay tuition and fees for students with disabilities.
• I qualified for Social Security; therefore, I will get disability services in college.
• Accommodations are available only in some universities.

College Class Myths

• As long as I attend class and do the homework I will pass the class.
• Colleges must provide one-on-one tutoring for students with disabilities.
• Instructors will give me their notes, outlines, study guides and a practice exam if I want one.
• Any absences will automatically be excused if I am sick or if it is disability related.
• Because of my disability, graduation requirements will not apply.

Accommodation Myths

• I will have exactly the same accommodations I had in high school.
• I will have the same accommodations in all my classes.
• Once I enroll all of my accommodations will be taken care of.
• Whatever accommodations I say I need will be provided.
• The university will keep increasing my accommodations until I am able to pass the class.
• I will get the same accommodations as all other students with disabilities.
• Once I enroll all of my accommodations will be taken care of.
• I can always have the ASL interpreter I want.

Documentation Myths

• The college must provide the course modifications authorized on my high school IEP or 504 plan.
• If I need more testing to verify my disability, the college will provide the testing.
• My doctor wrote the diagnosis on one of those pads like they write prescriptions on. It can be taken to any college and they will give me accommodations. They'll understand it.
• Since I provided my previous college with documentation about my disability, all I need to do is bring the accommodation list to the college to which I am transferring.

College Life Myths

• The college will assign me a roommate who will help me get organized.
• Colleges will help me with my transportation needs from home or apartment to the campus.
• Colleges will do wake-up calls to students in the morning; I won't need to buy an alarm clock or learn to use one.
• The college will remind me to take my medications.
• The college will provide a nurse to monitor my needs, particularly to help me with my prescriptions or personal attendant needs.
• "Coaching" is one of the mandated services that colleges must provide to students who have ADHD and other disabilities.

Parent Myths

• My parents will request my class accommodations so I won't need to talk with the disability office staff.
• Parents are required to be there with me when I register and enroll in college.
• As a parent, I can arrange to have weekly progress reports like had been done all through school, from the 4th grade until graduating from high school.

(Thanks to the University of Oklahoma Disability services program.)

Monday, 09-Nov-2009 11:57:33 CST