Finding Schools That Support Disabled Students

As a student with some accessibility needs, I'm starting my college search and want to make sure I find schools that really support disabled students. I'm looking for schools that have strong resources like adaptive technology, personal assistants, and other forms of support that will help me thrive academically and socially.

Can anyone share their experiences or recommend schools that are known for being particularly supportive? I'm also curious if there's a good way to find this information during a campus visit or through an online search. Any tips on navigating this part of the college search process would be super helpful!

Congratulations on beginning your college search process! It's important that your prospective schools are well-equipped to meet your needs, and many colleges have strong support services for students with disabilities.

One institution known for extensive support for disabled students is the University of California, Berkeley. They have a Disabled Students' Program that offers services such as academic accommodations, mobility assistance, and captioning services. Another school to consider is Stanford University with its Office of Accessible Education offering numerous resources and assistive technologies. Landmark College in Vermont is also a standout institution as it's specifically designed for students with learning differences, offering personalized programs to support unique learning needs.

If you have a chance to visit the campus, ideally you would take the time to arrange a meeting with the disabled student services office. If they know you're coming, they could possibly arrange for you to meet with a student who uses their services, who can give you an "on the ground" perspective. Feel free to ask them as many questions as you need, for instance, classroom accommodations they provide, extended testing time, note-taking services, tutoring opportunities, etc.

In terms of navigating this part of the college application process during an online search, there's a lot you can do. Look for the colleges' Office of Disabilities, Office of Student Accessibility Services or similarly named department on their website. Perusing through these pages should give you a good sense of the resources and support they provide.

When going through each school's page, make use of keywords related to your needs. For example, if you depend on specific assistive technology like speech-to-text software, see if there are mentions of this on the school's website. Similarly, search for other key resources or support mechanisms you anticipate needing.

Remember, communication is key throughout this process. Feel empowered to reach out to school's disability offices with any questions you have. Autonomous support and advocacy are significant skills you will develop throughout your college career. Best of luck in your search!