Accessibility Services and accommodations in college are different than services and supports you may have received in a K-12 setting. K-12 focuses on success, while accommodations in college focus on removing barriers to access.
Differences in Policies and Procedures
| K-12 | College |
| The school is responsible for identifying students with disabilities | The student must self-identify or disclose his/her disability |
| The school must provide the assessment of disability, classify disability, and involve parents | The student must provide documentation and information related to their disability to Accessibility Services |
| School staff discuss academic progress with parents/guardians | The student is considered an adult with privacy and confidentiality protections. Staff cannot talk with parents/guardians about the student's academic progress unless given permission to do so |
| The school must develop and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) | The student must request specific accommodations and providing supporting information |
| The school must provide a free and appropriate education including modified programs and related services | The college must provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students who qualify |
| The school must coordinate the provision of all services, monitor progress, and evaluate results | The student acts an independent adult to self-advocate, obtain accommodations, and utilize other support services |
| Legal guidance is provided Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | Legal guidance is provided by the ADA, Section 504, and other civil rights statutes. |
Differences in Accommodations
| K-12 | College |
| Services include individually designed instruction, modifications, and accommodations based on an IEP | Reasonable and appropriate accommodations may be made to provide equal access and participation |
| Modifications that change course outcomes may be offered based on the IEP | Accommodations cannot lower standards or result in substantial modifications to essential requirements |
Differences in Parent/Legal Guardian Roles
K-12 | College |
| The parent/guardian is expected to advocate for the student | The student is expected to advocate on their own behalf |
| The parent/guardian is the student's legal guardian | In college the student is considered to be their own legal guardian and have self agency |
| Periodic progress reports are given to the parent/guardian | No progress reports will be given to parents/guardians without permission of the student |
| Teachers are free to approach parents/guardians to discuss a student's progress | Without permission from the student professors and staff legally cannot include parents/guardians in any part of the educational process |