Getting Started with Students

Introducing the Disability Services Section to Students

Soon junior and senior students will take on the new responsibilities required of them in college. Think about how your students' self-advocacy skills have developed. Consider how well they understand their strengths and if they are able to effectively describe their disability related limitations. At this point they should have been applying this knowledge and practicing their advocacy skills at IEP meetings and requesting accommodations. Undoubtedly they will be at different levels of competence. Whatever their level of skill, this section takes them to the next level by asking them to apply what they have learned when contacting a college disability services provider.

Introduce this section by asking your students to reflect on how their advocacy skills have developed. Explain that in the future they will need more knowledge of the laws and how they can get and manage support at college. Stress that the responsibility will belong to them and that their only grade will be the degree to which they meet their own goals.