Are You
Prepared
For College?
State Services for the Blind (SSB)
2200 University Ave. West, Suite #240
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114-1840
http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/JobSeekers/Blind_or_Visually_Impaired/
1
State Services for the Blind’s (SSB) Workforce Development Unit (WFD) can help
you get a job. When a job requires a college degree, SSB can assist with college
tuition and related expenses. In order for you to receive SSB assistance there are
requirements of every student. This College Handbook explains your
responsibilities. Please read carefully. Your counselor can answer questions you
may have.
Table of Contents
Expectations of College Students
Page 3
General Prerequisite Skills and Abilities
Page 4
Assistive Technology, Computer Skills and Abilities
Page 5
Disability Services Office
Page 6
Resource List
Page 7
2
Expectations of College Students
 Apply for Financial Aid on an annual basis and submit the Award Letter to your SSB
counselor. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is available
online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Being early and accurate in your application is one of the
most important steps in securing aid. All students are required to apply for Financial
Aid before SSB can assist with paying for tuition and/or fees. Students must apply for
aid, even if there is a history of having been previously denied or financial aid has been
exhausted.
 Tuition paid by SSB for training at a private or non-Minnesota institution of higher
learning must not exceed the tuition charged by Minnesota public colleges, universities or
vocational technical institutes unless the necessary training is not available at a public
Minnesota institution.
 Provide your counselor with your class schedule and tuition/fees statement before each
term starts. It is recommended that students provide this information two weeks before
the term begins.
 Provide your counselor with an itemized list of textbooks and supplies required for my
classes before the start of each term.
 College students are expected to be full-time students (12 credits or more), unless the
counselor and student agree to a need for a part-time schedule.
 SSB will only pay for those classes which are required to complete my degree plan. If
the student has to retake a class due to a poor grade or a withdrawal, it may be the
responsibility of the student to pay for retaking the class.
 Students are expected to provide a copy of their degree plan and review it annually with
their SSB Counselor to review progress and remaining requirements related to the
program.
 It is important for the student to maintain contact with their SSB Counselor if problems
arise which could affect their success in school.
 Students are expected to provide a copy of their grades or transcripts to their SSB
Counselor at the end of each term. Students must complete all of their classes at no less
than the minimum grade point average required by their educational program.
 Students who participate in internships and/or work experiences while attending postsecondary education are more likely to get a job after completing their Degree. Students
are expected to work with their counselor, the placement team at SSB and other resources
to develop a placement plan while attending college. The Career Services Office at the
university/college is a great resource because they assist students with cover letters,
resumes, networking opportunities with alumni, job fairs, and informational interviews.
3
General Prerequisite Skills and Abilities
State Services for the Blind (SSB) strongly encourages all individuals interested in attending
post-secondary education to be as proficient in the following areas as possible.
 Successful students have the ability to travel independently in multiple settings. This skill
is more than just the use of a white cane or a guide dog. It includes problem solving
skills, the ability to ask directions and the ability to obtain the specific information you
need to travel independently.
 Successful students have the ability to live independently while attending college. This
includes handling your own finances (checking account, paying bills, etc.), cleaning and
cooking, maintaining clothing and all other aspects of living either with a roommate or
alone.
 Successful students demonstrate strong time management skills which are critical for
students while completing college coursework.
 The successful student has a primary and secondary adaptive technique for reading and
writing/note taking. There may be times where the primary adaptive technique
(electronic note taker) may fail and the student needs to have a back-up plan to bridge the
gap. It is important for students to have secondary note taking techniques (slate and
stylus, digital recorder, note taker, etc.) that will allow them to complete the necessary
coursework. The wise student will have several methods for reading, i.e., Braille, print,
tapes, electronic books, and/or a reader. SSB does not always have loaner equipment
available.
4
Assistive Technology and Computer – Skills and Abilities

Before a student is to attend college, the SSB Counselor must make a referral for an
Assistive Technology Assessment with an Assistive Technologist Specialist. The
purpose of the Assistive Technology Assessment is for the Assistive Technologist at
SSB to identify the assistive technology equipment and training that will be necessary
for success with post-secondary education. The Assistive Technology Assessment
can assess if the student could benefit from training on software programs (Zoom
Text, Magic, and/or JAWS), Victor Stream Player, etc.

Assistive technology will be purchased only if agreed upon by the student and the
counselor as necessary to accomplish the employment goal. Recommendations for
assistive technology are based on individual needs.

Post-secondary students are required to know how to utilize e-mail and the Internet to
complete coursework.

Students are responsible for maintaining their technology provided by SSB to make
sure that it is functioning properly.

If equipment is misused or not utilized for educational and/or employment purposes,
SSB may request the return of the equipment.

Assistive Technologists at SSB do not provide training with the assistive technology
and/or equipment.
5
Disability Services Office
The College/University Disability Services Office arranges accommodations for students
who provide appropriate documentation of the existence of a disability. Colleges and
Universities are responsible for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 and the American with Disabilities Act.
To receive services through the Disability Services office, the student must:

Provide Disability Services with documentation that demonstrates a disability
exists and that the services being requested are appropriate.

Make an appointment with the Disability Services Office. Interaction with the
Disability Office is the responsibility of the student.

Be prepared to discuss the accommodations you, the student, feel are necessary
and appropriate. The staff will not know that you need support unless you ask.
Services are individualized for each student.

Follow all appropriate policies and procedures when requesting services and/or
accommodations.

Make contacts with instructors as is deemed necessary for the provision of
specific accommodations.
Available Accommodations and Services
Services are individualized and accommodations may include the following:
o Assistive technology
o Test accommodations – including extended time, readers and/or a separate testing
room to reduce anxiety.
o Readers/scribes – for test taking, to write/type from oral dictation for in-class
essays and exams, short readings, etc.
o Note taking – to provide notes taken during class lectures and discussions.
o Course materials in alternative formats – to provide access to textbook and course
related print materials.
o Orientation tours – available for students with visual impairments who are in need
of physical assistance in locating classroom buildings, specific classrooms, rest
rooms, elevators, accessible entrances or any other facilities that the student may
need to use.
6
Resource List
Included below are links to Websites that may be useful as you research options regarding postsecondary training. SSB is providing this information as a service to its customers.
 Federal Student Aid (FSA) – http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
This is an important website that students will need to access when applying for PostSecondary Education. Students will need to provide their SSB Counselor with their
Annual Financial Aid Award Letter.
 Why are Internships so Important? http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/worklife/04/14/cb.why.internships.important/ind
ex.html?hpt=Mid
This is an excellent article about the importance of having a paid or unpaid internship
while attending post-secondary training. The article states that the student is more likely
to obtain a full-time job when participating in an internship.
 Positively Minnesota – www.positivelyminnesota.com/JobSeekers/Explore_Careers
The State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is a
great resource for potential post-secondary students. The web site provides links to great
tools such as: ISEEK Education Planning; CareerOneStop Education and Training; and
Minnesota Online Education web site.
 O*Net – http://online.onetcenter.org
O*Net Online has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers,
workforce development and HR Professionals, students and more. The web site breaks
down every occupation by knowledge, skills, and abilities.
 Minnesota Council of Non Profits – http://www.mncn.org
This is a web site where Non Profit Agencies list employment opportunities throughout
the State of Minnesota.
7