If your child has had an IEP or a 504  in high school, you’ve been able to play a role in the process. You’ve had access to the people who are providing supports and services. And you’ve been able to monitor how well those supports are being implemented.College is a different situation, starting with the fact that there are no IEPs or special education in college.Even so, almost all colleges have a disability services office for students with learning and thinking differences.

Here are some of the key differences:

Legal Obligations:

• High Schools: Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), high schools provide specialized education and individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities.
• Colleges: Colleges do not fall under IDEA. Instead, they adhere to federal civil rights laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their goal is to ensure equal access and prevent discrimination. While colleges don’t offer IEPs, they do provide accommodations under ADA.

Support Services:

• High Schools: High schools often offer personalized support, such as tutoring, study guides, and modified assignments.
• Colleges: While colleges provide accommodations (like extended test time or note-taking assistance), they don’t typically offer the same level of personalized help. Students must advocate for their needs and provide evidence for specific accommodations.

Registration Process:

• High Schools: In high school, parents play an active role in the process, and students receive supports based on IEPs or 504 plans.
• Colleges: Students must register with the college’s disability services office separately. This happens after acceptance and enrollment. Simply mentioning issues in the college application doesn’t guarantee accommodations.

No Special Education:

• High Schools: High schools have special education programs.
• Colleges: There is no special education at the college level. Students receive accommodations but not specialized instruction.

Personal Responsibility:

• High Schools: Parents and educators closely monitor supports.
• Colleges: Students take more responsibility for seeking accommodations and managing their learning differences. As your child is now an adult, the law protects your child’s privacy, so you 

Remember that college disability services aim to provide equal access, but the process differs significantly from high school. Students should connect with their college’s disability services office early to ensure a smooth transition and access the support they need.

Click here for a compiled list of Colleges and Universities who provide services. Different schools offer different levels of support, so it’s crucial to do your research to ensure the supports your student needs are available to them. As things change from year to year, it's important to verify the current offerings of each college or university your child intends to apply to.