Youth with Disabilities

A college education is possible for students with disabilities. To have the best college experience when searching for the perfect college to call home, there will be many things to consider depending on the disability and the accommodations needed. Make sure to check with your school counselor about any additional services provided by your school or community organizations and meet regularly with them to discuss your next steps.

Resources:

• ACT Accommodations and English Learner supports are available to examinees with documented disabilities and English Learners.
• Best Colleges: Etiquette for Working with Students with Disabilities offers a guide to disability etiquette, accommodating students with disabilities, accommodation types and more.
• Center for Parent Information and Resources offers Best Practices in Self-Advocacy Skill Building. Here, you’ll find quick connections to materials and resources you can use with youth with disabilities and their families to build their abilities to advocate for themselves.
• Disability Services in North Carolina helps people who have disabilities find employment, find care providers and gain access to technology, which helps people continue to live independently.
• DREAM (Disability Rights, Education Activism, and Mentoring) is a national organization for and by college students with disabilities. They strongly advocate for disability culture, community, and pride, and hope to serve as an online virtual disability cultural center for students who want to connect with other students. Explore their National Resources for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education.
• DREAM: Campus Clubs and Organizations for Students has a list of campus-based groups related to disability, Deaf culture, ASL, and related topics. They include student organizations, clubs, and cultural centers.
• Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) offers confidential, unbiased, accurate information and timely support to families. All services are at no cost to families. Services include: one-on-one assistance to parents, families and self-advocates, workshops and trainings, family leadership development, youth leadership and much more.
• Going to College: Campus Life offers information about experiencing college life with a disability. It is designed for high school students and provides video clips, activities and additional resources that can help you get a head start in planning for college.
• Going to College: Planning for College is where you will learn the ins and outs of what you need to do to plan for college!
• HEATH Resource Center at the National Youth Transitions Center offers a list of parent/guardian and youth resources. On their website you can also find resources on Vocational Rehabilitation and Developmental Disabilities Services.
• National Center for Homeless Education: Special Education provides a list of resources for students with disabilities experiencing homelessness.
• National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has a mission to improve the lives of the 1 in 5 children and adults nationwide with learning and attention issues—by empowering parents and young adults, transforming schools and advocating for equal rights and opportunities.
• NC Department of Public Instruction has a full list of statewide resources and contact information for NC DPI staff, specializing in various disabilities and/or impairments.
• Rehabilitation Services Administration offers a list of State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies.
• SAT Accommodations are available and can take up to 7 weeks for accommodations to be approved. If you plan to take the SAT talk to your counselor as soon as possible to start the process.
• The Arc of North Carolina is committed to securing for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work and play. On their website you can find a list of organizations that offer a variety of services to people with disabilities on a statewide and national scale.
• Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. Think College has a directory of 308 college programs. Search by program name, location, and other keywords.