“(In college, special-needs students) have to work twice as hard, maybe three times as hard. They can’t go out and do the social things because they have to study extra hard.”
– Mike Nelson, special education administrator
According to the U.S. Department of Education, students with learning and physical disabilities are far less likely to go to college than their high school classmates. Is higher education just not for everyone? New research from Kansas State University reports that challenged and less academically promising students should be encouraged to pursue higher education goals.
Jordan, 14, has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair to get around. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t plan to go to college.
“I want to go into a field such as cell biology or genetics so I can work and see what can be done about different genetic diseases, including mine,” he says.
But whether it’s a learning disability or a physical handicap, special-needs students are less likely to go on to college than their nondisabled classmates. According to the U.S. Department of Education, only about 40% of disabled students enroll in a four-year-college compared to about 60% of nondisabled students.
The problem is that many times, disabled students are qualified but don’t apply. And sometimes, it’s because their parents don’t push them.
Research from Kansas State University, recently published in the American Sociological Review, reports that there is just no reason to discourage special needs students from pursuing their higher education plans. They call it “adaptive resisilience.”
“Sometimes [with] students with disabilities, there’s a certain amount of over-protectiveness on parents’ part and even on school folks’ part,” says Mike Nelson, a special education administrator. “[In college, special-needs students] have to work twice as hard, maybe three times as hard. They can’t go out and do the social things because they have to study extra hard, put extra time in.”
What We Need To Know
Because of their disabilities, some adults have not been able to have many of the experiences that non-disabled people take for granted, including going to college and having a career. But that seems to be changing as awareness of the rights and potential of the disabled increases.
According to the advocacy group DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology), getting to college involves thoughtful preparation for those with physical disabilities. It is important for a student to start as early as his or her sophomore or junior year in high school. DO-IT offers parents with disabled children these suggestions for getting started:
- Call the institutions your child hopes to attend to find out about entrance requirements. Do this by the first or second year of high school. If your child is not able to meet specific entrance requirements during high school, have him or her consider attending a local community college to obtain the course requirements he or she is lacking.
- Pre-college exam (like SAT, PSAT) scores may be important for acceptance into the college of your child’s choice. Talk to a school counselor or teacher about disability-related test-taking accommodations ahead of time. Appropriate accommodations can help your child maximize his or her efforts and demonstrate his or her abilities to the fullest when taking an exam.
- There are resources available to help you and your child with college expenses. In some cases, costs, such as tuition, books, rent, lab fees, assistive technology and application fees, can be fully covered. Start early and talk to teachers, counselors, offices of disabled student services, financial aid offices and undergraduate support programs at the colleges your child wishes to attend.
- Resources are not the same at each college. Knowing your child’s needs and how they can be met is an important factor when selecting a college. Arranging support services can take a lot of time, depending on the services your child needs and the resources available.
DO-IT offers this additional advice for students with disabilities once they enter college:
- Request aid from your professors. Don’t be intimidated by them; they are there to help.
- Be wise about the number of credits you take, especially the first quarter.
- Take some courses that look like fun, as well as more challenging courses.
- Take some time to enjoy social life on campus. It is a good way to meet new people and make friends.
- Know yourself. Conduct an in-depth evaluation of your strengths, abilities, skills and values.
If your child has a learning disability and has documentation, talk with his or her professors before the semester begins. If you think your child may have a learning disability, but you aren’t sure, contact a member of the disabled students services office, counseling services or learning assistance center on campus.
The Association on Higher Education and Disability offers these additional tips for the learning-disabled collegian:
- Set realistic goals and priorities for course work.
- Be prepared to request “reasonable accommodations” in your course work so you can learn and demonstrate your knowledge of course material. (This is your right under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of a handicap.)
- Become knowledgeable and comfortable about describing your disability so you can advocate for yourself with faculty.
- Keep only one calendar with all relevant dates, assignments and appointments. Don’t try to keep a schedule in your head.
- Sit toward the front of the classroom to maximize your contact and to reduce distractions.
- Use a tape recorder during lectures.
- If you are having trouble or feel overwhelmed, talk with the professor immediately. Do not hesitate to seek help. It is critical that you link up with campus supports before you fall behind in your work.
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