504 plan in college?

I have a 504 plan in high school and I'm applying to colleges now. Does anyone have experience with 504 plans in college? What's the process like to set one up, and do colleges usually provide necessary accommodations like they do in high school?

While the terminology may be different in college, accommodations for students with disabilities do exist at the college level. The 504 plan in high school is covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but in college, the accommodations are typically covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The process for setting up accommodations in college can vary depending on the institution but generally involves the following steps:

1. Identify the Office of Disability Services (ODS) or a similar office on campus. This is going to be your primary point of contact for any accommodations.

2. Gather documentation of your disability. This includes medical records, psychological evaluations, or any other pertinent documents that detail your disability and the accommodations you received in high school.

3. Schedule a meeting with the ODS to discuss your accommodations and submit your documentation. They will work with you to determine what accommodations are reasonable, based on your specific needs. Keep in mind that accommodations provided in high school may not necessarily be the same as those provided in college.

4. Once your accommodations are approved, you'll receive an accommodations letter or another form of documentation from the ODS. This letter outlines your approved accommodations, and it's your responsibility to share it with your professors at the beginning of each semester.

It's important to maintain communication with the ODS and your professors to ensure that your accommodations continue to be met throughout your college experience. While the process may be slightly more involved than in high school, colleges are generally quite accommodating for students with documented needs, and your 504 plan experience in high school will certainly be beneficial when navigating this process in college.