Resources and
s for
Recommendation
With Disabilities
Prepared by the American Psychological Association’s
Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology (cdip).
The committee would like to acknowledge Dana S.
Dunn, PhD, and Carrie Pilarski, PhD, for their work in
developing the content of this document.
This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without fees or permission provided that acknowledgment is
given to the American Psychological Association. Copyright
© 2015 by the American Psychological Association.
For students with disabilities, adjusting to college life can involve attending to some issues beyond the usual
ones all students face. When psychologists talk about adjustment,
they are referring to the psychological processes people call upon to
manage or cope with new demands
or challenges. College is a positive
challenge, and this guide is designed
to help you as you begin your new
life on campus. It includes practical advice about getting a good
start in college as a student with a
disability, as well as suggestions and
resources from psychology.
name
How do I decide where to apply for admission?
Begin your search online. After that,
there are many traditional college
guides to consult—too many to list
here. Visiting your high school’s
________________
guidance office or library is a good
place to start.
Here are a few websites to explore:
Going to College, sponsored by
Virginia Commonwealth University, is
designed to help high school students
with disabilities plan for college.
▪
The Student Lounge, designed by the
University of Washington specifically
for students with disabilities, has a
variety of links aimed at preparing
for and then succeeding in college.
▪
The Center for Parent Information and
Resources, sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Education, is a repository of information and resources
related to disability and includes a
link to postsecondary education.
▪
How do I decide where to apply for admission?
For students with learning disabilities:
K&W Guide to Colleges for Students
With Learning Differences (12th ed.),
by Kravets, Wax, & Associates, Inc.,
2014, Natick, MA: Princeton Review.
▪
A transition guide by the National
Center for Learning Disabilites.
▪
College application help for students
with adhd.
▪
Help Yourself to College Success—a
website devoted to strategies and
support for those with adhd and
learning disabilities.
▪
name
________________
When I decide on the schools where I want to apply, should I also visit
the campuses?
You should make it a point to visit
any college you’re seriously interested
in so you get a sense of what it’s like
to navigate from place to place, the
time needed to do so, and so on.
Your visit will help you identify any
unexpected barriers, and you can
also learn about designated parking
and accessibility to residence halls,
classrooms, academic resources,
the library, and other places on the
campus. You may also want to learn
about accessibility to the student
union building as well as to various
sporting events. You’ll get a feel for
the college’s atmosphere, setting, and
the types of students who attend.
name
________________
Will colleges and universities have resources available to help students
like me who have disabilities?
All college students—including those
with disabilities—must seek out services, which are based on situational
or individual needs. You will need to
become your own advocate.
Colleges and universities vary regarding available resources for students
with disabilities. Asking about such
services early in your college search
process is important. When you
visit a campus or search a college’s
website online, look for an Office of
Disability Support Services.
Email them or ask about available
services, such as tutoring or note
taking, during your campus tour or
interview. Alternatively, contact the
Students Services Office or the dean
of students. If you still can’t find the
information you need, email your
questions to the Admissions Office.
name
________________
Should I speak to my instructors about my disability or any accommodations
I might need?
if you believe doing so will help you with your course work
and adjustment to college life.
Some colleges and universities will
inform your instructors for you;
others won’t. You should find out
the policy in place at the institutions where you intend to apply for
admission. Remember, too, that part
of the college experience is learning
to be an advocate for yourself—
don’t be afraid to speak up regarding your needs.
Students With Disabilities Preparing
for Postsecondary Education is a
great resource provided by the U.S.
Department of Education and the
Office for Civil Rights about your
rights and responsibilities.
▪
name
________________
name
I'm concerened the work will be more demanding than it was in high school,
and I want to make a good transition to college—are there any guides that
can help me?
It can take some time to adjust to
the course demands. Here are some
resources that focus on the general
transition to college and provide
specific guidance for students with
disabilities:
The Naked Roommate and 107 Other
Issues You Might Run Into in College,
by H. Cohen, 2013, Naperville, IL:
Sourcebooks.
▪
7 Steps for Success: High School
to College Transition Strategies for
Students With Disabilities, by E.
C. Hamblet, 2011, Arlington, VA:
Council for Exceptional Children.
▪
________________
Learning Outside the Lines: Two
Ivy League Students With Learning
Disabilities and adhd Give You the
Tools for Success and Educational
Revolution, by J. Mooney and D. Cole,
2000, New York, NY: Touchstone.
▪
Survival Guide for College Students With
adhd or ld, by K. G. Nadeau, 2006,
Washington, DC: Magination Press.
▪
College Success for Students With
Physical Disabilities, by C. W.
Tiedemann, 2012, Waco, TX:
Prufrock Press.
▪
name
I'm concerned the work will be more demanding than it was in high school,
and I want to make a good transition to college—are there any guides that
can help me?
________________
Here are some additional resources for the transition to college for students
with disabilities:
Transition of Students With Disabilities
to Postsecondary Education: A Guide
for High School Educators—helpful
information for you and your
parents, too.
▪
National Center on Secondary Education
and Transition
▪
Health Resources Center at the National
Youth Transitions Center—an online
clearinghouse on postsecondary education for people with disabilities.
▪
name
I’m guessing that part of adjusting to college is learning to deal with stress.
Are there any resources that can help me feel less stressed?
________________
Here are some resources to consult if you feel stressed at school:
How to Reduce Stress While in College
▪
Navigating Your Freshman Year: How
to Make the Leap to College Life—
and Land on Your Feet, by Students
Helping Students, 2005, New York,
NY: Prentice-Hall.
▪
College Stress Solutions: Stress
Management Techniques to Beat
Anxiety, Make the Grade, and Enjoy the
Full College Experience, by K. L. Lucier,
2014, Avon, MA: Adams Media.
▪
Remember that beginning college is
a period of transition for gaining
independence and further developing
a sense of identity.
Every life stage provides an opportunity to gain self-understanding.
The college transition is also a transition into adulthood, and persons
with disabilities may find this a time
of further identity development.
Resources that discuss issues like this
can be found here:
Thinking About Disability Identity,
by D. S. Dunn and S. Burcaw,
November 2013, Spotlight on
Disability, Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
▪
Disability Resources: Creating
Solutions Together
▪
name
Is there anything else I should think about as I head to college?
Be sure to talk with your parents or
guardian about the costs of college
and how to manage your money
and expenses as a student. Similarly,
academic success during college is
often about learning to plan ahead,
balancing assignments, and fitting in
the right amount of studying. If you
struggled with managing your time in
high school, you should develop a plan
for keeping on top of your workload.
Most institutions offer workshops to
help students with time management
issues—if a workshop is available,
take it.
You’ll also want to get involved in
student organizations, one of the
best ways to build new relationships.
Colleges and universities have a variety of clubs and activities to meet a
broad range of student interests.
________________
There are resources to help you connect and learn from other students
with disabilities:
We Connect Now—a website that
encourages students with disabilities
to network with each other about
college and employment issues.
▪
Taking Charge: Stories of Success and
Self-Determination
▪
Are you interested in learning more about psychology?
apa’s mission “is to advance the
creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to
benefit society and improve people’s
lives.” apa helps people with disabilities, including students like you, by
developing and sharing a variety of
resources, including material like
this one.
To learn about the discipline of psychology and the scope of apa, why
not visit the organization’s website?
To see what resources apa has available for people with disabilities, please
visit the website of the apa Disability
Issues Office.
name
________________
One last suggestion for college adjustment
Remember that this is a time of
transition and adjustment for your
parents and your friends, too. They
want to help but also give you some
space to grow. Why not arrange for
a specific time to communicate with
them during the week? Not every day,
but maybe once or twice a week, or
however many times you feel comfortable contacting them.
Email, instant messaging, or other
social media are good ways to keep
in touch.
name
________________