Going to College

Going to college is a big step for young people with disabilities.  Not only do you need to make sure you get a good education, but you also have to make sure that everything is accessible for you.

One common issue for a lot of students with disabilities is that you have to take a placement test in order to get into the school of your choice.  Placement tests are one way colleges try to see if you can handle the classes.  You are allowed to have accommodations for your disability so you can take the test, but you are responsible for doing well on the test.  You must let the test facilitators know if you need accommodations in advance.

Before you go to college, make sure to contact the disability services offices to set up an appointment with a counselor.  When you go to this appointment, make sure to bring a list of things you will need to be sure your college education is fully accessible.  Do you need notetakers?  Classrooms that are wheelchair accessible?  Extra time on tests?  Interpreters?  You will have to advocate for these things with your counselor.

For students who have Individualized Education Plans in high school, the rules change when you go to college.  Colleges do not have IEPs.  Instead, you have to tell the school what you need and what you study.  You will need to know what a "reasonable accommodation" is.  A reasonable accommodation is a service or thing that will make college accessible for you.  By federal law, any school that receives money from the federal government cannot discriminate against you just because you have a disability.  But it is up to you to make sure you qualify for college and can handle the classes.

Some students with disabilities take fewer classes per semester or quarter as an accommodation.  You should make sure that a light course load does not affect your financial aid or DRS assistance.

Financial aid is very important.  You can apply for scholarships, or for grants and loans from the govenrment to help you pay for college.  Learn about Illinois and federal grants and loans.  Always remember that you want to be sure you are paying for classes where you actually learn.

The Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) may be able to pay for some or all of your college education.  Students with disabilities should check to see whether they can get help from DRS. 

Here are some websites that talk about college for students with disabilities:

HEATH Information Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities

The College Board (they do the AP tests, SATs and PSATs)

National Disabled Students Union

Also check out the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities.

Click on these names for some websites of colleges in the Chicago area:

City Colleges of Chicago

Loyola University Chicago

Northwestern University

University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois Institute of Technology

University of Chicago

Northeastern Illinois University

DePaul University

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago