COLLEGE PLANNING

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING EDUCATIONAL LAW:

*The US Congress requires transition planning for all students with a disability. Each student must have the opportunity to be involved in planning for their future.

*Transition planning should start by age 14. If a student wants to attend college, the IEP must reflect that.

*The law recognizes an 18 year old as an adult unless someone else has legal guardianship. Up to this point, the parent has been the advocate. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the student must self-identify as a person with a disability. The student is the advocate, not the parent.

*At the college level, education is no longer a right or entitlement but a matter of eligibility. The student must meet the requirements for admission to college.

*A Regents diploma, local diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) will fulfill the diploma requirements for any college in New York State. AN IEP DIPLOMA DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.

*The laws change when a student in special education becomes a college student with a disability. Know the law.

*Completion of a student self-assessment check list may help in determining if college is an obtainable goal.

WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT:

*A positive attitude
*Being flexible
*Good communication skills
*Time management skills
*Organizational skills
*Being independent
*Knowing when and how to seek help
*A strong commitment to reach you goal

IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL ABOUT YOURSELF:

*Why you want to go to college.
*Your type of disability and how it effects your learning.
*Kinds of problems you experience in school.
*Support services and accommodations you used in high school.
*Support services and accommodations you plan to use in college.
*How copies of records documenting your disability can be acquired.
*The kind of diploma you are receiving.

SKILLS NEEDED BY ALL STUDENTS ENTERING COLLEGE

*Classroom Preparation
Self advocacy skills
Note taking skills
Adequate study habits
Test taking skills
Importance of assignments
Classroom etiquette
Importance of being on time for class

*Necessary Social Skills
How to interact with teachers/students
How to introduce yourself to someone
Dating Etiquette
Dealing with peer pressure
How to deal with rejection
Problem solving
Decision making skills

*Living Independently for the First Time
Lack of structure, more choices, more freedoms
Transportation
Know how to locate the help and assistance needed
Knowledge of medical needs in regard to medication and health
Money management, cooking, laundry, shopping, etc.

SOME RECOMMENDED SKILLS FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS

*Develop strong study habits.
*Apply yurself before coming to college.
*Know grammar and basic math skills cold.
*Learn notetaking.
*Try to develop essay skills for taking tests.
*Be prepared to study hard.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE:

* What are the support services offered to the L.D.Student?
*What are the admissions requirements?
*Is there a student service office on campus staffed by personnel who have a special understanding of the L.D. student?
*Is counseling and support available to those in need?
*What is the attitude of the faculty toward L.D. students?
*What is the number of students served in the program?

LONG ISLAND COLLEGE COUNSELORS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

*Adelphi University, phelan@adelphi.edu
*Dowling College, alstere@dowling.edu
*Hofstra University, advkjs@hofstra.edu
*LIU-CW Post, marie.fatscher@liu.edu
*Molloy College, bnirrengarten@molloy.edu
*Nassau Community College, schimsj@ncc.edu
grossms@ncc.edu
ardisem@ncc.edu
*St. Joseph's College, abrobinson@sjcny.edu
*Suffolk Community College, boycem@sunysuffolk.edu
*SUNY @ Farmingdale, edelmamp@farmingdale.edu
*SUNY @ Old Westbury, 516-876-3009
*SUNY @ Stonybrook, JJharris@notes.cc.sunysb.edu

RESOURCES AVAILABLE ONLINE:

*WNY Transition Coordination Site: scaruso@chob.edu
*VESID Transition web page: http://web.nysed.gov/vesid/sped/trans/tranmain.htm
*Heath Resource Center (financial aid): www.acenet.org
*National Council on Disability: www.ncd.gov/
*Lighthouse, Inc.: www.lighthouse.org
*The Student Guide: http://www.ed.gov/prog info/SFA/StudentGuide/
*The U.S. Department of Education: 800-433-3243