evelopmental Disabilities

This Section provides postsecondary information for students with developmental disabilities and those that support them. Learn more about college eligibility and other post high school options. For more information on attending colleges and universities, contact the Disability Services at a postsecondary school of interest.

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Recommendations for the Transition Team

Students with cognitive developmental disabilities generally are not admitted to colleges with stringent academic entrance requirements such as four-year colleges because they are unable to qualify. Colleges with open entrance requirements, such as community or technical colleges, will not bar an individual from enrollment. However, these colleges may decide that accommodations will not be provided for those who do not qualify.

Developmental classes such as English and math are generally offered to help students raise their academic level to become qualified. The transition committee should learn about these developmental classes and consider whether this approach will be helpful.

1. Discuss whether the committee believes that the student is (or will be) qualified for the program under consideration given the specific purpose of the program. For more information, see the section titled Eligibility for Accommodations at College, below.



2. Consider the existing documentation of disability. Is it available and current?



3. Consider the effectiveness of current and past instructional accommodations. Is it likely that these accommodations would be effective given the specific requirements of the program under consideration? Consider other accommodations that might be effective.



4. Consider whether implementing the discussed accommodations might cause an undue burden for the college.



5. Consider whether the accommodations would fundamentally alter the purpose or outcome of the program being discussed.



6. If a specific postsecondary school is under consideration (given 1-5, above), research the school disability support policies and procedures on the Post-ITT Web site or by contacting the Disabled Student Services Coordinator at the college of interest.



7. Schedule an appointment to discuss enrollment and accommodations with the office that provides assistance to individuals with disabilities.



8. If the transition team, determines that a postsecondary outcome other than college should be considered, the resources found on the Helpful Links page (below) should be explored.

Eligibility for Accommodations in College

The following information is written for individuals with developmental disabilities and those assisting them to help gain an understanding of some general procedures commonly used by colleges when evaluating requests for accommodations. Although it is written in the second person, it is assumed that the student will require help in reading and understanding these procedures.

Questions you should consider regarding your eligibility:

1. Do I understand my disability and do I have written, professional diagnosis of my disability?



2. Do I know the qualifications for the college or program? Am I qualified?



3. Do I know what an accommodation is and if I am receiving accommodations now? Do I benefit from these accommodations.



4. Will I qualify for the same accommodations in college that I received in high school?

If you do decide to apply and request accommodations, the college will:

1. Assess the documentation of your disability to determine if it meets the college's standard for accommodations,



2. Review the accommodations you are requesting,



3. Determine if the college agrees that you are qualified and that the accommodations you are requesting are reasonable. Usually the college will determine an accommodation reasonable if it works, does not change the fundamental purpose of the program you might attend, and does not cause an undue burden on the college.

1. Create a plan for accommodations. This is an agreement between you and the college.



2. Coordinate the accommodations for which you are eligible.



3. Refer you to the available campus resources that might help you.



4. Schedule you for accommodated placement testing.



5. Advise you to take appropriate courses and assist you in registration.



6. Provide on-going support and coordination of accommodations to help you be successful in college.

1. Explore with you different college or program options for which you may qualify.



2. Refer you to agency or government resources such as the Division of Developmental Disabilities or the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.



3. Refer you to professionals you could employ for additional diagnostic evaluation



4. Refer you to non-academic programs on campus such as community integration classes.
   Other college options might include:



5. Different college degree programs



6. Vocational certificates



7. High school diploma programs
   
   • G.E.D.
   
   
   • Adult Basic Education in college
   
   
   • High school completion programs
   
   

Developmental Disabilities Agencies

State and local Developmental Disabilities agencies assist individuals and their families with child development services, family resource coordination, employment services, community access opportunities, and community support programs.

Eligibility information: If you would like more information on how to become eligible to receive help from an agency in your area, click this link.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) assists people with disabilities (including developmental disabilities) to prepare for, obtain and retain employment. Vocational Rehabilitation programs are custom designed for each individual. Vocational Rebabilitation is a state and federal-sponsored program and works in partnership with the community and businesses.

Some students with disabilities want to work but have barriers to employment such as:

• Reading: difficulty understanding or interpreting words or numbers



• Writing: difficulty writing, spelling, remembering grammar



• A learning disability: difficulty with reading/writing/remembering and communicating information received visually and/or spoken



• A developmental disability: difficulty learning and progressing into adult- level learning and social skills



• Any disability that impairs sitting, standing, walking, caring for oneself, etc.



• A sensory disability (hard of hearing or deafness, visually impaired or blind)



• A psychiatric disability (chronic depression, a history of physical or sexual abuse, drug or alcohol recovery, etc.)

If you are eligible for DVR services, services may include:

• An evaluation of your disability by an appropriate professional



• Medical or psychiatric assistance



• Adaptive equipment



• Orthopedic equipment



• Assistance in choosing a job that fits your interest and ability



• Preparation for a job (training)
  
  • attending short term training
  
  
  • acquiring a vocational certificate
  
  
  • acquiring an Associate of Arts (AA) degree
  
  
  • on-the-job training


• Assistance in finding a job (placement)
  
  • resume development
  
  
  • interviewing skills
  
  


• Assistance while learning a job (job coaching)


• Short-term assistance while learning a job (supported employment)

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